Fordham junior guard Joseph Chartouny (Image Credit: Fordham EDU)
If there’s anything to take from watching Fordham lose their season opener to Miami (Oh) it’s they’re still a team in search of consistent offense.
The defense is still a strength for this team. Third-year head coach Jeff Neubauer does a good job with making sure the Rams play hard on every play.
But the problem area for Fordham this year came up late in Friday night’s loss to Miami (Oh). When the defense struggles to get stops, where will the offense come from on this team?
Fordham had a 54-48 lead with 2:20 left in the game, that’s the time when you’re supposed to put your opponent away. Instead, while the Red Hawks were coming alive on offense, the Rams missed their last three shots.
Miami (Oh) went on a 7-0 run to escape Rose Hill with a 55-54 win over the Rams. It’s a frustrating beginning to a new season for Neubauer.
In the offseason, the Rams lost graduate transfers Christian Sengfelder (Boise St.) and Antwoine Anderson (UConn). They played key offensive roles for Fordham during their time there.
Junior guard Joeseph Chartouny is back for Fordham, they’re going to need his scoring just as much as his leadership.
Chartouny was aggressive in looking to get to the basket against Miami (Oh). He’s an excellent defender, but Neubauer will need more from him and Will Tavares to keep the Rams in ballgames.
Neubauer has brought a sense of stability to which was missing before he arrived on campus. He’s no-nonsense when it comes to teaching the fundamentals to his players. But he’s also aware this is still very much a process with getting the program out of the lower tier of the conference.
In order to take that next step, Fordham has to get more from their offense. That’ll be their challenge this season.
