Fordham head coach Jeff Neubauer — Image: City Sports Report
The Fordham Rams have now lost eight in a row. That’s seven straight in conference play and the last time they won was a month ago. This is the most games coach Jeff Neubauer has lost in a row with Fordham. It’s been excruciating to watch this team lose in close games or blowouts. They showed a lot of promise earlier in the year, which now looks like fools gold.
Their latest loss to Dayton was their biggest this season, 23 points to be exact (75-52). Fordham put up a decent fight in the first half, but when Dayton went on a 7-0 run to close out the first half the game was over. Like many times during this losing streak Fordham looked defeated. Shot after shot missed, defensive lapse after defensive lapse, Fordham looked like a team searching for answers.
“Today’s game is hard,” said Neubauer after the game. “Today’s game was an aberration meaning we’ve lost seven games this year by one possession. (Today) Where you don’t have a chance, you feel helpless, not only as a player out there where you’re really struggling to score and you can’t stop the other team but as a coach well.”
A game where the three guards (Nick Honor, Jalen Cobb, Antwon Portley) shot poorly, were out-rebounded by 16, and let a freshman forward (Obi Toppin) come off the bench to drop 19 points is not a good reflection on Neubauer. He’s been trying everything to get this team to win. Even looking to players like Ty Perry, Ivan Raut and David Pekarek who give him little to nothing.
Neubauer, Fordham, The Future
The previous game against La Salle coach Neubauer was so tense to the point where he took off his jacket and tie. A rare site for a coach whose normally fully clothed and composed.
So can he survive this season? With two years left on his deal he probably will; but if you look at previous coach Tom Pecora, he didn’t survive multiple losing seasons. So don’t be shocked if Fordham decides to cut him loose. Especially if they have another nine win season.
If there’s one positive for coach Neubauer it’s junior forward Chuba Ohams. He’s been stepping it up as of late, giving the Rams some needed toughness and inside scoring. Ohams nearly accumulated a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.
“This is the second game in a row that he really has played with confidence and played with freedom,” Neubauer said about Ohams. “He’s really looked good out there. I’m happy for him that he’s taken steps in the right direction.”
