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NCAA Preview: Robert Morris Colonials

Robert Morris University (#15, Midwest, Minneapolis pod)

vs. Michigan State (#2)
Fri. 3/20 at about 9:50 pm
Vegas Line: +16.5

General Profile
Location:
Moon Township. Pennsylvania
Conference
:  Northeast — Tournament Champion
Coach
:  Mike Rice, hired 2007. Record at Robert Morris = 50-18.
08-09 Record:
24-10 (15-3)
Last 12 Games:
9-3, won 5.
Best Win:
vs Mount St. Mary’s, 48-46, on 3/11/09 for the NEC tournament title.
Worst Loss: at Monmouth, 57-60, on 2/19/09.
Off. Efficiency Rating:
101.3 (170th)
Def. Efficiency Rating:
97.3 (91st)

Nuts n Bolts
Star Player(s):
Jeremy Chappell (6’3″ senior guard), 16.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.5 spg, and over 85% from the FT line.
Unsung Hero:
Rob Robinson (6’8″ junior forward), 11.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg and shoots almost 53% from the field.
Potential NBA Draft Pick:
None.
Key Injuries:
No significant injuries.
Depth:
34.6% mins. (89th nationally)
Achilles Heel:
Taking care of the ball. RoMo gives up 15.1 TOs per game, 279th in the nation.
Will Make a Deep Run if…:
…they can take care of the ball and Chappell catches fire.  And some divine intervention wouldn’t hurt. Doesn’t hurt that they shoot 39.7% from three, 17th in the nation.
Will Make an Early Exit if…:
…they are intimidated by their opponent and the TV cameras.
Last Year Invited: 1992.
Streak:
One year.
Best NCAA Finish:
1983; went 1-1, winning in the preliminary round then losing to Purdue in the Round of 64.
Historical Performance vs. Seed (1985-present):
n/a

Other
Distance to First Round Site:
860 miles
School’s Claim to Fame:
Named after a Declaration of Independence signer and a man who helped pay for the Revolutionary War.
School Wishes It Could Forget:
That there’s a Robert Morris College in Chicago.  And RMU’s last three first-round games? Kansas, UCLA, Arizona.  Not exactly friendly draws.
Prediction:
Another tough draw to add to the list — so likely another 0-1.

Major RTC stories: NEC Wrapup and Tourney Preview
Preview written by: John Stevens, Rush The Court.

rtmsf (3998 Posts)


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