This preview is part of the Atlantic 10's 2020-21 Men's Basketball Tipoff, which also includes A-10 media day, the preseason poll and awards and the 2020-21 schedule. The previews, written by Patrick Stevens, began on Nov. 10 and will continue through the week. Once released, each preview can be found here.
FORDHAM ESSENTIALS
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Fordham had half of the game figured out last season, finishing 64
th nationally in KenPom.com’s defensive efficiency ranking. It was the Rams’ best showing in that category in any year since 1996-97, the first season in the KenPom archive.
For all those defensive strengths --- particularly defending the perimeter and forcing turnovers --- there was the matter of an offense that struggled mightily to generate scoring on a consistent basis. Those struggles were exacerbated by a series of injuries that severly hampered the Rams.
“We were great defensively and we’re definitely going to build on that this year,” forward Chuba Ohams said. “As far as our offense, we have a bunch of returning players. All the guys know what they have to work on and know what they have to do. On top of that, toward the end of the year, even though we didn’t win as many games, there were a bunch of guys who stepped up that weren’t showing what they could do at the beginning of the year.”
Coach Jeff Neubauer doesn’t hide from Fordham’s multi-year issues on offense, but is quick to point out “pretty good” doesn’t do his team’s defense justice. Expect the Rams to again be stingy with a veteran team this season.
“We literally were an elite defensive team, not only in the A-10 but in the country,” Neubauer said. “That’s something we’re really proud on and that’s actually where we have to build from first. Our guys understand the success of this team is absolutely going to be based on our defensive prowess."
If there is a notable difference year over year, it’s that Fordham doesn’t have to acclimate many newcomers to its system. In turn, it should mean fewer players trying to find their way and more with an understanding of what will be required of them in the Bronx.
“A lot of us who were in our first year or even second year were trying to figure out our roles,” said senior guard Josh Navarro, who went by Josh Colon last season. “This year, we all know our roles and what we’re doing. Defensively, we’ll be all right. When it comes to offense, we all know what we need to do to be successful.”
A LOOK AT THE RAMS:
Coach: Jeff Neubauer, sixth season at Fordham, 60-96 with the Rams and 248-231 overall in 15 seasons
Last year: The Rams were 9-22 overall and 2-16 in the Atlantic 10, finishing in a tie for 13
th. The A-10 tournament’s No. 14 seed, Fordham defeated George Washington 72-52 in the first round before the pandemic ended the season.
They’ll miss: Fordham graduated a pair of starters in guards Antwon Portley (10.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Erten Gazi (8.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg). Portley came back from a seven-game absence for a leg injury to score in double figures in seven of the Rams’ last 11 games, while Gazi sat out nine of 10 games at one point before averaging 13.8 points over the final five games of the season.
Impact returners: Experience isn’t a problem for the Rams -- they bring back six players who started at least 10 games a season ago. That group includes guards Jalen Cobb (10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Ty Perry (7.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Josh Navarro (6.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and forwards Onyi Eyisi (6.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Joel Soriano (4.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg).
Also among the tested returnees is 6-9 forward Chuba Ohams (11.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg), who was exceptionally productive in 13 games last season before suffering a knee injury. He rehabbed throughout the offseason, and while he won’t be ready for the start of the year, Ohams is a vital figure within the Fordham program.
“His leadership throughout this injury has been terrific,” Neubauer said. “He’s kept his spirits really high.”
Newbies of note: Much of Fordham’s rotation returns, and the Rams’ limited time on the floor in the preseason means freshmen Yame Butler and Julian Dozier will need to pick things up on the fly. That’s no easy task in a normal season.
Nonetheless, both guards have a promising long-term future. The 6-5 Butler was a potent high school scorer at Eleanor Roosevelt in D.C.’s Maryland suburbs. The 5-10 Dozier is a Detroit native who will try to crack the rotation at point guard.
Reasons to be optimistic: On a team-wide level, Fordham’s defense should be able to keep it plenty of games. Including their one conference championship game last season, the Rams kept nine of their 19 Atlantic 10 opponents to less than 60 points.
To take the next step might require at least one dominant offensive figure to step forward. Cobb, a regular starter for much of his first two seasons, is the most logical choice.
“Jalen Cobb is absolutely focused and playing at a level he’s never played before. …,” Neubauer said. “He just really gets it right now, much like a senior would get it.”
X factor: Few players made the more of last year’s opportunities than Navarro, who was used sparingly in November but joined the starting lineup on Dec. 10 and never left it. The 5-10 guard is a capable creator and had 65 assists against 40 turnovers in his first season with the Rams. He’ll be counted upon as a stabilizer as a senior.
“By the end of the year, in most games I couldn’t take him off the court,” Neubauer said. “He had to be out there for our team to compete. Josh is incredibly important because he does a great job getting in the lane and gets in the lane and creates for other people. He’s also improved scoring-wise.”
Circle the date: Given the plethora of potential opponents in the New York area, it’s unsurprising the Rams won’t leave the Big Apple until 2021. The highlight of the nonconference schedule is a Dec. 8 trip to St. John’s, the first meeting between the schools in exactly four years.
Bottom line: New York City’s strict pandemic protocols are simply a fact of life Fordham must deal with this season. The Rams faced a 14-day quarantine this month, and there’s no escaping that lost time won’t help with developing the team.
That said, Fordham does have a clear identity at the defensive end. With even a little more offensive oomph, the Rams could make life difficult for just about anyone in the A-10 this winter.
Patrick Stevens is a veteran freelance college basketball writer. A former sports reporter for the Washington Times, he has been a contributor to Atlantic10.com for the past seven years. Follow him on Twitter at @D1scourse.