Robert Morris Colonials
Northeast Conference (21-13, 14-2)
Robert Morris spent most of November and December on the road. The result was a rough non-conference record and a battle tested team. Coach Andrew Toole kept his team’s spirits high and the Colonials cruised through conference play with a 14-2 record.
Big Wins: 12/14 at Duquesne (67-63), 1/11 at Bryant (71-67), 2/8 at St. Francis Brooklyn
Bad Losses: 12/4 at Youngstown State (76-84), 2/1 Central Connecticut State (73-74), 3/11 vs Mount St. Mary’s (71-88)
Coach: Andrew Toole (4 seasons at Robert Morris)
Why They Can Surprise:
Robert Morris relies heavily on their two returning starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones. Anderson, a senior guard, averages nearly 20 points per game and is the main reason why Robert Morris is so prolific and efficient from beyond the arc. Anderson connects on an amazing 45.3 percent of his attempts from long range. Jones can hit some three-pointers, but the 6-6 wing is also more than capable of finish around the basket. Anthony Myers-Pate has done a fine job stepping into the starting lineup this year. The senior is not much of a scorer, yet he and freshman Kavon Stewart are great at setting up Anderson and Jones.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Robert Morris’ depth took a hit in January when forward Mike McFadden was forced to leave the team due to an injury. Not long thereafter, four players, including Jeremiah Worthem who was the team’s third leading scorer and second leading rebounder, were dismissed from the university for one year. That left RMU with just eight players on the roster and very little size. Stephan Hawkins, a 6-9 sophomore, has seen his minutes increase significantly and he is not as productive in the scoring column as McFadden or Worthem at this point in his career.
Probable Starters:
Anthony Myers-Pate, Senior, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 3.6 apg
Karvel Anderson, Senior, Guard, 19.1 ppg, 1.4 apg
David Appolon, Junior, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Lucky Jones, Junior, Forward, 13.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Stephan Hawkins, Sophomore, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Charles Oliver, Junior, Guard, 6.4 ppg
Kavon Stewart, Freshman, Guard, 4.9 ppg, 2.9 apg
Aaron Tate, Sophomore, Forward, 3.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.6 (167th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.8 (202, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.8 (201, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 45.2 (252, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (76, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.5 (35, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.3 (82, 3)
Rebound Margin: -0.9 (223, 3)
Assists Per Game: 12.4 (201, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.3 (73, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NIT First Round win over Kentucky
2013 NIT Second Round loss to Providence
2012 CIT First Round win over Indiana State
2012 CIT Second Round win over Toledo
2012 CIT Quarterfinal loss to Fairfield
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Villanova
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan State
2008 NIT First Round loss to Syracuse
1992 NCAA Round of 64 loss to UCLA
1990 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Kansas
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
