The Iona University boys basketball team will face Fordham University for nearly two decades, Gales announced on June 5 as their schedule for next season continues to decline.

Although the two universities separated for half an hour along the Bronx River Road, they have not faced each other since the 2006-07 season. This change has changed as the team agreed to each season of the Family and Family Series that started on November 14 in New Rochelle.

Opponents who did not attend the meeting reconnected, partly because of their first-year head coaching relationship. Dan Geriot and Mike Magpayo (Fordham) of Iona worked as assistant coaches at Campbell University in the 2014-15 season.

“There are a lot of great basketball teams in the New York metro area, and it’s great whenever they can get together and play with each other,” said Brian Beyrer, director of information at Iona. “It’s also great for fans because they can see their team playing not only at home, but at the venues on the road.”

Once a neighbor competition dating back to 1942, the team played 63 times. Fordham has an advantage in his history head-to-head, including a 70-54 victory in the final match on December 3, 2006.

The teams were scheduled to face each other in November 2020, but the game was weakened as the start of the season was delayed during the 19th pandemic.

The Rams have struggled since their 25-8 season breakout three years ago, bringing together a .378 win percentage over the past two seasons, including a 3-15 win in 10 games in the Atlantic last winter. Last season, Gales lost in the Atlantic Games final with a 17-17 overall record.

Iona is also planning to play in Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands against Akron in November. They will also face Hofstra on November 7, with their early season schedule including Princeton and Kobe. According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, in another election showdown, Gales will face St. John at Madison Square Garden on December 13. Iona did not confirm or deny the report.

Gaels have been busy reshaping their roster and staff due to Geriot being hired, as well as New Iona general manager Craig Moore.

Iona University Men's Basketball Team and its busy offseason

• Patrick Buckley serves as Director of Operations and Parker Weiss serves as Video Coordinator
• Assistant coach Ronald Ramon is a Bronx native, former Pittsburgh player who previously coached at Fordham University
• Added freshman Deondrea Lindey, a 6-foot-8 forward
• Added freshman Odutayo to Albany's 6-foot-8 striker
• Signed 6-foot-9 forward Toby Harris, who previously played for Brandeis University
• Signed Matt Reed, a 6-foot-10 teenager who played his last two seasons in Tulsa
• Assistant coach Kris Saulny has coached at the George Washington and Carl Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania
• Signature transfer Khalil Badru, 6-foot-5 defender, plays freshman in New Hampshire
• Signed transfer Chase Cormier, a 6-foot-2 junior who previously played for Northeast and Wolfford
• Signature transfer Keshawn Williams, 6-foot-4 defender, joined Iona as a graduate student after playing for Northern Illinois and Colorado
• Signature transfer Kosy Akametu, a 6-foot-5 California native who joined Iona from Santa Clara University
• Signature transfer from 6-foot-8 seniors from Germany Lamin Sabaly, who previously had the words of San Antonio and avatar at the University of Texas
• A 6-foot-1 senior from New Jersey signed the transfer Denver Anglin, who previously served in Georgetown and Rice
• Signed 6-foot guard CJ Anthony to join Iona after Cincinnati game
• The 6-foot-9 senior senior Luke Jungers was the only scholarship player to return last season.

Stephen Haynes covers Journal News/Lohud's baseball.