Saturday, December 30
Bronx, N.Y.
1:00 P.M.
Columbia University
at
Fordham
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Josh Wang
Men's Basketball Returns From Break Saturday at Fordham
12/29/2023 11:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Lions and Rams square off in the second annual Tom Konchalski Classic
BRONX, N.Y. — Columbia men's basketball makes the short trek over to Fordham on Saturday to tip off with the Rams at 1 p.m. from Rose Hill Gymnasium in the Tom Konchalski Classic.
Saturday's matchup between the Lions (8-3) and Rams (5-7) can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+ or SNY.
Opening Tip-Off
Fordham and Columbia will honor the memory of the legendary Tom Konchalski, FCRH '68, a longtime scout and historian of the game who posthumously earned the Basketball Hall of Fame's John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Lions most recently defeated FDU on the road, 87-83, on Dec. 11. Columbia shot 53.7 percent from the field and had four finish in double-figures scoring.
After starting the season 0-2, Columbia has won eight of its last nine games. The Lions have won eight of their first 11 games to start the season for the first time since 1978. Columbia has also already passed last season's win total.
Morningside Hoops Podcast Returns
The Morningside Hoops podcast presented by Jag Physical Therapy has returned for a sixth season. The podcast features student-athletes from Columbia University's men's and women's basketball programs.
In the first episode of the season, hosts Kyle Mattracion and Aliyah Funschelle sat down with men's basketball's Avery Brown (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (Santiago, Dominican Republic) to talk about the team's first 8-3 start since 1978-79. Later, newcomers Riley Weiss (Hewlett, N.Y.) and Cecelia Collins (Scranton, Pa.) discuss the women's basketball's 7-4 start, including wins over power-conference opponents.
News/Notes
Last Time Out
Columbia toughed out an 87-83 victory at FDU on Dec. 11, thanks to Avery Brown's floater with 14 seconds remaining and huge nights from Josh Odunowo and Noah Robledo. Trailing by a point with 54 ticks left, Brown was fouled and hit two big foul shots to re-give Columbia a slim 84-83 lead. Then with 14 seconds left, Brown drove the lane and nailed a floating jump shot to keep the Lions in front 86-83 and pull out the win. Brown finished with a team-best and season-high 16 points. Robledo made his first career start and tied his career-high with 15 points.
In The New York Groove
Columbia is averaging 82.5 points per game in wins this season. The Lions have the second-largest scoring margin (11.4) and third-most assists (190) in the Ivy League. Columbia leads the conference in steals (101) and steals per game (9.2). Columbia is second in opponent turnovers (160). The Lions lead the league and rank 40th in the country in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (28.8). Columbia's six-game winning streak earlier this season was the program's longest since January 2016.
Fast Facts
The Lions are one of four teams in the country that return more than 90% of their scoring this season, along with Northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and St. Bonaventure. Columbia is also one of 11 teams in the country to return at least 70 percent of its points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks from 2022-23.
Well-Balanced Attack
Through the first 11 games this season, Columbia has had at least four players finish with double-figures scoring six times. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (14.2), Avery Brown (12.0), and Blair Thompson (10.1) are all averaging double-figures scoring to start the year.
Free Throw Frenzy
Columbia is 168-211 (79.6 percent) from the free throw line this season. That mark leads the Ivy League and ranks fourth in the country. Zavian McLean (16-19), Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (44-49), Noah Robledo (11-12), and Blair Thompson (20-24) are all above 83 percent from the charity stripe.
Columbia went 28-39 from the line on Nov. 21 against LIU. It was the most attempted free throws by the Lions since Feb. 23, 2018 vs. Brown and the highest mark in head coach Jim Engles' tenure.
Lions Trending Upward
With the Lions being over .500 on the season after a win at Temple on Nov. 18, it was the first time since Feb. 4, 2017 that Columbia has had a winning record. Columbia has won five straight games for the first time since Jan. 6-30, 2016. The Lions have also scored at least 75 points in six straight games for the first time since Jan. 20-Feb. 10, 2018.
De La Rosa Dominance
Junior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa has built off his strong sophomore campaign to start this season. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native had scored in double-figures in nine straight games dating back to last season before dropping eight points on Nov. 15. He has scored double-figures in 10 out of 11 games this season. De La Rosa played a strong all-around game in 2022-23, leading the Lions and ranking among the Ivy League leaders in scoring (13.6), rebounding (5.6) and steals (1.4). His 713 points through his first two seasons are the third-most all-time in program history for a player's first two years.
De La Rosa recorded 22 double-figures scoring games last season, including six straight to close out the year. He scored in double-figures in 12 out of the team's 14 Ivy League games last season. De La Rosa was one of four Lions to play in all 29 games last season and Avery Brown was the only other Lion to start in every game. De La Rosa's 88.8 percent mark from the free throw line last season led the Ivy League and ranked No. 16 in the country. His mark from the charity stripe also ranked third all-time in a single season behind Brian Barbour, who did it twice (.917, 2010-11 and .901, 2011-12).
Scouting Fordham
The Rams enter Saturday's contest at 5-7 with most recently dropping a home contest to CCSU on Dec. 21. Fordham hasn't played a game outside New York City since its trip to the Virgin Islands in November and is 3-4 at home. Japhet Medor, Joshua Rivera, and Abdou Tsimbila are averaging double-figures scoring. The Rams were picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll, their highest ranking since 2007-08.
Series History - Fordham
The Lions and Rams meet for the 81st time on Saturday. Fordham holds a 52-28 lead in the series and have won the last two in its home gym. Fordham took the last meeting in the Bronx, 77-67, in the 2021-22 season opener.
Up Next
Following the matchup at Fordham, the Lions return home for one more non-conference game against Division III member, Mount Saint Vincent on Jan. 4. Tip is set for 7 p.m. from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
Preseason Ivy League Poll
The Lions were predicted to finish eighth in the preseason Ivy League poll, conducted by selected members of the media.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Saturday's matchup between the Lions (8-3) and Rams (5-7) can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+ or SNY.
Opening Tip-Off
Fordham and Columbia will honor the memory of the legendary Tom Konchalski, FCRH '68, a longtime scout and historian of the game who posthumously earned the Basketball Hall of Fame's John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Lions most recently defeated FDU on the road, 87-83, on Dec. 11. Columbia shot 53.7 percent from the field and had four finish in double-figures scoring.
After starting the season 0-2, Columbia has won eight of its last nine games. The Lions have won eight of their first 11 games to start the season for the first time since 1978. Columbia has also already passed last season's win total.
Morningside Hoops Podcast Returns
The Morningside Hoops podcast presented by Jag Physical Therapy has returned for a sixth season. The podcast features student-athletes from Columbia University's men's and women's basketball programs.
In the first episode of the season, hosts Kyle Mattracion and Aliyah Funschelle sat down with men's basketball's Avery Brown (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (Santiago, Dominican Republic) to talk about the team's first 8-3 start since 1978-79. Later, newcomers Riley Weiss (Hewlett, N.Y.) and Cecelia Collins (Scranton, Pa.) discuss the women's basketball's 7-4 start, including wins over power-conference opponents.
🎙️ @_averybrown3 🔊🔊🔊
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) December 15, 2023
Listen to the Morningside Hoops Podcast on the @GoColumbiaLions website & all major platforms. 🏀
🎧 https://t.co/60Q3WaH3DK#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/jvhf4zd2oL
The Morningside Hoops podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud and all major podcast platforms.🎤 "Defense is what wins games. For us, that's one thing that identifies us." -@geronimorubio26 😤
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) December 15, 2023
Listen to the Morningside Hoops Podcast on @Spotify & all major platforms.
🎧 https://t.co/ACFbn9RGmy#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/umRq9YnmN1
News/Notes
Last Time Out
Columbia toughed out an 87-83 victory at FDU on Dec. 11, thanks to Avery Brown's floater with 14 seconds remaining and huge nights from Josh Odunowo and Noah Robledo. Trailing by a point with 54 ticks left, Brown was fouled and hit two big foul shots to re-give Columbia a slim 84-83 lead. Then with 14 seconds left, Brown drove the lane and nailed a floating jump shot to keep the Lions in front 86-83 and pull out the win. Brown finished with a team-best and season-high 16 points. Robledo made his first career start and tied his career-high with 15 points.
🎥☕ Another morning after a win, another set of highlights! ⬇️#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/pF3dPD0jPq
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) December 12, 2023
In The New York Groove
Columbia is averaging 82.5 points per game in wins this season. The Lions have the second-largest scoring margin (11.4) and third-most assists (190) in the Ivy League. Columbia leads the conference in steals (101) and steals per game (9.2). Columbia is second in opponent turnovers (160). The Lions lead the league and rank 40th in the country in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (28.8). Columbia's six-game winning streak earlier this season was the program's longest since January 2016.
Fast Facts
The Lions are one of four teams in the country that return more than 90% of their scoring this season, along with Northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and St. Bonaventure. Columbia is also one of 11 teams in the country to return at least 70 percent of its points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks from 2022-23.
Well-Balanced Attack
Through the first 11 games this season, Columbia has had at least four players finish with double-figures scoring six times. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (14.2), Avery Brown (12.0), and Blair Thompson (10.1) are all averaging double-figures scoring to start the year.
Free Throw Frenzy
Columbia is 168-211 (79.6 percent) from the free throw line this season. That mark leads the Ivy League and ranks fourth in the country. Zavian McLean (16-19), Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (44-49), Noah Robledo (11-12), and Blair Thompson (20-24) are all above 83 percent from the charity stripe.
Columbia went 28-39 from the line on Nov. 21 against LIU. It was the most attempted free throws by the Lions since Feb. 23, 2018 vs. Brown and the highest mark in head coach Jim Engles' tenure.
Lions Trending Upward
With the Lions being over .500 on the season after a win at Temple on Nov. 18, it was the first time since Feb. 4, 2017 that Columbia has had a winning record. Columbia has won five straight games for the first time since Jan. 6-30, 2016. The Lions have also scored at least 75 points in six straight games for the first time since Jan. 20-Feb. 10, 2018.
De La Rosa Dominance
Junior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa has built off his strong sophomore campaign to start this season. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native had scored in double-figures in nine straight games dating back to last season before dropping eight points on Nov. 15. He has scored double-figures in 10 out of 11 games this season. De La Rosa played a strong all-around game in 2022-23, leading the Lions and ranking among the Ivy League leaders in scoring (13.6), rebounding (5.6) and steals (1.4). His 713 points through his first two seasons are the third-most all-time in program history for a player's first two years.
De La Rosa recorded 22 double-figures scoring games last season, including six straight to close out the year. He scored in double-figures in 12 out of the team's 14 Ivy League games last season. De La Rosa was one of four Lions to play in all 29 games last season and Avery Brown was the only other Lion to start in every game. De La Rosa's 88.8 percent mark from the free throw line last season led the Ivy League and ranked No. 16 in the country. His mark from the charity stripe also ranked third all-time in a single season behind Brian Barbour, who did it twice (.917, 2010-11 and .901, 2011-12).
Scouting Fordham
The Rams enter Saturday's contest at 5-7 with most recently dropping a home contest to CCSU on Dec. 21. Fordham hasn't played a game outside New York City since its trip to the Virgin Islands in November and is 3-4 at home. Japhet Medor, Joshua Rivera, and Abdou Tsimbila are averaging double-figures scoring. The Rams were picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll, their highest ranking since 2007-08.
Series History - Fordham
The Lions and Rams meet for the 81st time on Saturday. Fordham holds a 52-28 lead in the series and have won the last two in its home gym. Fordham took the last meeting in the Bronx, 77-67, in the 2021-22 season opener.
Up Next
Following the matchup at Fordham, the Lions return home for one more non-conference game against Division III member, Mount Saint Vincent on Jan. 4. Tip is set for 7 p.m. from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
Preseason Ivy League Poll
The Lions were predicted to finish eighth in the preseason Ivy League poll, conducted by selected members of the media.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
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