Men’s Basketball Air Balls in First Two Matchups

The saying goes that history repeats itself. For Fordham men's basketball this season, that means one of two things. It could mean a return to successful basketball, as in the days of the Billy Packer-led 1971 Rams or the "redeem team" of Bryant Dunston, Marcus Stout and company.

Only two games into the season, however, it appears that success is not in the budget for the Rams this year. As the only Atlantic 10 team with two losses already (against poor competition at that), the Rams have their backs against the wall.

"In Division I, every team can play," Head Coach Dereck Whittenburg said. "There's no bad teams in Division I. [The players] don't get that – it's part of the youth. But I can see there's going to be some good things."

As tireless a statement as it may seem for this team the past year, though, there is hope. The Rams are not entirely to blame for the past two results, despite playing at an inexcusably sub-par level thus far; both games were easily winnable despite the team's poor play.

It looked like the NCAA employed replacement referees in the Rams' first two games, costing them the victory in at least one. Fordham's opponents last year attempted 638 free throws in 28 games; this season, they have already attempted 72 in just two games, a pace which would see them attempt over 1,000 by the end of the year. As rusty as several players undeniably are, and as poor play as Whittenburg says they are exhibiting on defense, there is no explanation for such a drastic increase in free throw attempts other than that referees have been making poor and unnecessary calls.

Fordham came into the season opener expecting a big win over Maine, which many expect to finish at the bottom of the America East Conference this season. Coming off a blowout exhibition win over Mercy in which freshmen forwards Chris Gaston and Khiry Gordon impressed despite some off-target shots in the paint (Gaston scored 27 points and brought down 17 rebounds with three blocks and two steals while Gordon scored 12 on 6-7 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds while dishing out five assists, blocking four shots and getting two steals), the Rams figured to build a big lead early and coast.

Although they never built the big lead, the Rams were in front at halftime (a feat they accomplished only five times all last season, with a .600 winning percentage in those circumstances) on two Gaston layups to break what had been a deadlocked game all half. 

Junior shooting guard Brenton Butler gave the fans something to cheer about – besides Gordon's monstrous dunk on his own breakaway steal and Gaston's ferocity underneath the basket, especially on the offensive boards. Starting the game and coming in only to miss his first two three-point attempts, Butler found his groove when the clock hit 11:20, hitting the first of three consecutive treys, each to more raucous applause from those who missed his smooth stroke from the arc his freshman and sophomore years.

The Rams committed only five fouls and gave up only four free throw attempts in the first half. They attempted nine free throws themselves, with sophomore point guard Jio Fontan sinking three of his four for 75 percent from the line – almost 15 percent better than last season. Things seemed to be going Fordham's way.

Maine climbed back into the game quickly in the second half, knocking down three three-pointers in the first four minutes to pull ahead by one. The Rams did not help their case by allowing guards junior Terrance Mitchell and sophomore Gerald McLemore to camp in the corner unguarded on inbounds plays especially; the two combined to go 10-16 from long range by the end of the game – no other Black Bear hit even one. It should not be difficult to guard only two players 21 feet from the basket.

Then the eyebrows started to rise.

Not that there is anything unusual about foul calls or free throws in basketball – it is a natural element of the game. The fouls called and quantity of free throws awarded – not just to Maine – in the second half, however, were very curious. Maine attempted no free throws in the first 4:54 of the half while Fordham attempted four – a normal progression considering Maine was clawing its way back into the game as quickly as possible.

After Butler was called for his third foul of the game and half, Gordon picked up a technical and the trouble started.

Fordham was whistled for four fouls in the next two minutes, putting Maine in the bonus with 10 minutes to go, before Maine committed its fourth. Three quick fouls by Maine just about evened the total, but then things got out of hand.

With the Black Bears ahead by more than 10 at this point, the Rams needed to get back into the mix quickly. Giving up 10 free throw attempts in the next four minutes did not help, but Fordham did not buckle; Fontan took over on offense, sinking two threes to pull within eight and drawing a foul on another attempt, then sinking all three free throws. With 2:26 to play, Fordham had only six points to make up, and Fontan was on a roll. A Whittenburg timeout – Fordham's last – was probably ill-advised here, but that was not what ultimately doomed the team.