Oct. 31, 2009

GALLERY

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham University men's basketball team gave its fans a sneak peak at the 2009-10 squad today during an intrasquad in the Rose Hill Gym prior to the Fordham-Holy Cross football game.

With a roster that features six new faces, the fans got to see some of the 2009-10 Rams for the first time on Saturday.

Even tough there is a plethora of new faces on the squad, the Rams have some returning players with experience, led by sophomore guard Jio Fontan and senior captain Brenton Butler, who will be expected to provide the young team with leadership and guidance. Fontan is coming off a thriving freshman campaign, a season in which he led the team in scoring and was selected to the 2009 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Butler, who missed most of last season after suffering an injury in the seventh game of the year, appears fully healed and is ready to get back on the court.

Also back are senior guard Herb Tanner, junior forward Jacob Green and sophomore guard Alberto Estwick along with walk-ons Matt Beck and Ryan Hage.

In the five new freshmen, head coach Dereck Whittenburg believes he's bringing in players who can get the Rams moving towards the top of the Atlantic 10. Leading the newcomers are guards Lance Brown, Brennan Melvin and Danny Thompson who will join with forwards Chris Gaston and Fahro Alihodzic to give Fordham one of the most talented recruiting classes in recent history.

Joining the five freshmen as a new face is sophomore forward Khiry Gordon, who sat out last year.

The schedule will be challenging for Fordham in 2009-10 as the Rams will face Villanova, a 2009 Final Four team, in the Izod Center as well as renewing their rivalry with St. John's. Fordham will also face Atlantic 10 favorites Dayton in Madison Square Garden and Xavier and Temple, the two-time defending conference champions, in the Rose Hill Gym.

The men's and women's basketball teams will host a Tip-Off Reception on Wednesday night, November 4th, at 7:00 PM at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. For more information on the reception click here.

The men's team will hold their lone open scrimmage on Thursday night, November 5th, against Mercy College at 7:00 p.m. in the Rose Hill Gym before opening the season on Friday night, November 13th, by hosting Maine in the Rose Hill Gym at 8:00 PM. Individual and season ticket information can be found by clicking here.