On Monday morning, Fordham Men’s Basketball announced all team activities would be halted due to a positive Tier 1 COVID-19 test. A mandatory 14-day pause is already in effect and will conclude on Dec. 12, adding further delay to the program’s season, which has not yet officially started because of the ongoing pandemic.

This also marks the second time in a month that the team has faced a halt to in-person activities after a confirmed positive test. On Nov. 1, the Rams suspended all team activities for two weeks following a member of the program testing positive for COVID-19. Upon returning to practice on Nov. 13, Fordham was still in a position to play its first two games of the regular season.

Unfortunately, subsequent positive COVID-19 cases within Iona College and Manhattan College ultimately prompted both of those games to be canceled. When considering the much-anticipated season opener against the Gaels and new head coach Rick Pitino at Rose Hill Gymnasium, followed by the annual Battle of the Bronx against the Jaspers, Fordham’s non-conference schedule has gone from fascinating to foggy.

As of now, four of the Rams’ six non-conference games have been officially canceled. That now includes Fordham’s Dec. 13 home game against the University of Maine, while no final decision has been made on potentially rescheduling or canceling the Rams Dec. 6 matchup with St. John’s University at Carnesecca Arena. Fordham may end up playing just two games before the Atlantic 10 Conference play begins at the end of December.

When team activities begin again in 10 days, the Rams will have exactly one week to prepare for Central Connecticut State University in what now becomes Fordham’s season opener on Dec. 19 at home. With the Blue Devils having five games under their belt leading up to that game, they figure to come sporting a noticeable advantage on the court over head coach Jeff Neuabuer and his team. 

Neubauer emphasized how important it is to make sure health and safety protocols are consistently being followed before the season began, saying, “We simply must avoid another 14-day quarantine for our guys.” Unfortunately, Fordham Men’s Basketball was unable to avert another stoppage, and moving forward; the Rams simply cannot afford losing any more games this season.