NEW YORK - The Columbia men's basketball team will open up the 2021-22 campaign this Tuesday, November 9, at Fordham. Tip-off is set for approximately 8 p.m. and is the second game of a doubleheader featuring the Rams' women's team. Fans can watch the game live on the ESPN+.
OPENING TIP-OFF
• Columbia will take the floor for the first time in 612 days when they take on Fordham Tuesday night. The Ivy League did not compete during the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Lions will look to make up just over 80-percent of its scoring from the 2019-20 campaign and will have a roster comprised of nine players (five first-years, three sophomores and a transfer) that have not yet played in a game for Columbia.
• Columbia will begin its 120th season of college basketball Tuesday night.
NEWS/NOTES
FORDHAM'S STATUS
A new era is set to begin for the Rams as they play their first game under the direction of new head coach, Kyle Neptune. Neptune spent the previous eight seasons as an assistant coach at Villanova, where the Wildcats avereaged over 29 wins per season and a pair of NCAA national championships. Last year, Fordham posted a 2-12 record, playing only Atlantic 10 Conference games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fordham is without its three top scorers from 2021. Jalen Cobb is the top returning scorer (7.2 PPG), rebounder (4.5 RPG) and led the team in assists (3.6) and steals (1.7).
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Lions are 28-51 all-time against the Rams in a series that dates back to the 1907-08 season. Fordham took the last meeting, 70-69, at Rose Hill Gym on Nov. 18, 2018. Columbia led by four with 13.8 seconds remaining, but the Rams knocked down a 3-pointer, then forced a turnover and Jalen Cobb hit a floater as time expired. The Lions' last win was a 65-62 triumph in the Bronx in 2008.
COLUMBIA AGAINST THE ATLANTIC 10
Columbia is 33-70 against teams currently in the A-10. Fordham is the Lions' most common opponent. Columbia's last win over the Rams came when Fordham was in the Patriot League in 2008. The Lions' last win against a school competing in the A-10 came against UMass, 52-40, on Dec. 29, 1984 on a neutral court a the Springfield Civic Center.
LET'S GET IT STARTED
Columbia is to 78-41 all-time in season openers. Under Jim Engles, the Lions are 1-3 in debuts, topping Stony Brook, 73-66, in 2016-17 before falling to the eventual National Champions, Villanova, 75-60 in 2017-18, at Marist, 82-76 in 2018-19 and a 65-63 defeat at Lafayette to begin 2019-20.
SEE THE LIONS LIVE!
Tickets for upcoming home games at Levien Gymnasium can be purchased by clicking here or calling 888-LIONS-11. Please find Columbia's detailed venue policies here.
THE IVY LEAGUE ON ESPN+
All home Columbia games and most Ivy League road contests will air on ESPN+ as part of The Ivy League's new partnership with ESPN. ESPN+ is a new, subscription-based service that offers monthly ($4.99) and yearly ($49.99) plans. Click here to subscribe to ESPN+ and start your free trial! Click here for frequently asked questions about the Ivy League on ESPN.
FOLLOW COLUMBIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
