Fordham 85, FDU 62: Quotes, Takeaways & Nuggets

Fordham head coach Jeff Neubauer's opening statement:
"We're trying to make strides as a defensive unit, and we're getting better. We still have a long, long way to go, but our guys are developing a defensive mindset, so holding FDU to 35 in the first half and even fewer in the second half, that's what we're going for. That's the idea. We certainly do need to do a better job of guarding without fouling. We have not had trouble through our two scrimmages and our first two games of fouling, but FDU is very aggressive with the dribble. I'm really proud of our team and especially Ryan Canty, he played with great energy and was just looking for ways to help this team."

Ryan Canty (12 points, 10 rebounds) on his effort and ability to exploit FDU's small lineup:
"They might have been a smaller team, but I still think they played hard. I just try to go out there with as much energy as I could and just grab rebounds and score, so I don't think it was so much that they were a smaller team, because they still brought energy."

Neubauer following up:
"Well, what I told our team after the game is that what Ryan Canty did tonight has got to exemplify who we are as a team, because he didn't get a single minute in our game on Tuesday night, and he just responded with a mentality of 'I can't wait to help my team. What can I do to help this team?' He was terrific tonight, part of it, as far as the importance, was because Ryan Rhoomes was in foul trouble and Ryan Canty got his opportunity. He really was exceptional."

On Joseph Chartouny (15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals) and his progress:
"Joe is growing and growing, and he's going to continue to get a lot better. He's really been inspired by his teammates, and he's told me that. He sees some of his teammates like Christian Sengfelder and Jesse Bunting playing so hard that he's literally aspiring to be them, so that's what we have to do as a team. We've got to see what's going on good with our team, and we need more guys to latch on to that and improve."

Canty on his instant productivity in spurts:
"When I first went in, I was just so happy to be out there. The whole year for me has been up and down, you know, back surgery, just everything that's happened. I got in there, (and) I was just happy to have the opportunity to get in, so I knew I needed to give my all. So I went in, thankfully things kind of went my way those few possessions and just earned more playing time, I guess, and did the same thing."

On today's effort being what he envisioned when returning for another season:
"Oh yeah, absolutely. You just get in the zone. You just go out there and you know your shots are falling, you grab some rebounds, and it's a great feeling."

Neubauer on committing only 11 turnovers and sharing the ball:
(Addressing a comment in his opening statement) "My math is wrong, we held them to 22 in the first half and they got more than that in the second, so I was wrong."

"We talked about two things with FDU: First of all, they're really good in transition and we held them to four transition points, which is why we won. The other thing is they've been terrific rebounding, they had 24 offensive rebounds in their exhibition game, we held them to just six offensive rebounds tonight. So defensively, those were our two focuses and then value-wise, part of the reason they only got four transition points was we didn't give them the ball. That's always an emphasis for us, but especially against a team that's as aggressive as FDU."

On whether or not his players are buying into his philosophy:
"I love what our guys are giving us. Our effort from day one, I've been here for seven-and-a-half-months, the effort of this team has been terrific. We're not perfect yet, but these guys are trying their tails off and I think you saw it out there today. The effort has been what every coach wants, and we're going to improve on a lot of things. It will be hard to improve effort-wise, because we're getting what we're asking for."

On each player playing an important role:
"Well, that's who we have to be. We have to get a lot from each guy. We can't be 'well, Mandell had 34 tonight and we won.' It's got to be multiple guys giving us every little bit of energy they can give us. Tonight was even more important because Mandell and Ryan Rhoomes were both on the bench with two fouls in the first half for long stretches, so it gives more guys opportunities to contribute."

On his satisfaction with Fordham's freshmen to date:
"If you were to have seen our opening game, our freshmen played like freshmen, and now you see in the last two games, them improving and improving. It's been several years since I coached freshmen. Typically in our program, freshmen don't play, and that's usually the sign of a good program, when you've got older guys who are good and should be on the court. Right now, we're in a little bit different situation, meaning we need everyone in our program to make a difference and contribute. We need these freshmen to play older than their years."

Nuggets of Note:
- In his first game back after not playing against Queens College Tuesday, Ryan Canty returned to the Ryan Canty of old, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds in 12 minutes. The fifth-year senior has opportunities in each of his next two games to take advantage of what are mismatches, at least on paper, against Colgate and Manhattan, so the Rams will be counting on optimum production from their man in the middle. Without his services, Fordham would have won the battle of the boards by only one as opposed to their plus-11 margin on the glass.

- Joseph Chartouny continues to impress after just three collegiate games. This afternoon was by far the best the Canadian point guard has played, threatening to register a quadruple-double with final totals of 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals, the latter two categories leading all players on either side. Fordham has had inability finding a true point guard in recent years, so the efforts of one of Tom Pecora's last recruits before the program parted ways with him have not gone unnoticed.

- Fordham shared the basketball with a 71 percent assist rate, collecting helpers on 20 of the Rams' 28 made field goals. In addition, the transition defense Jeff Neubauer harped upon in his press conference was responsible for 26 points off 22 forced turnovers, only committing 11 miscues of their own.

- Tuesday night's game against Colgate is huge for Fordham to maintain their hot streak, as the Rams will use that contest as their final tuneup before, arguably, their two biggest non-league games of the year, both home affairs against intracity rivals Manhattan and St. John's. There are still many more things to improve upon, but it seems as if things are trending in a positive direction as Fordham concludes the month of November.