The Colonials lost Sunday to the North Carolina Tar Heels 103-59 in a game where they simply did not have enough athleticism and size to compete with the number six team in the country. North Carolina dominated on the glass and got virtually all of their points around the rim. Kennedy Meeks set the tone early and got the Colonials in foul trouble, while Brice Johnson finished them off. Meeks and Johnson scored a combine 42 points and collected 20 rebounds. You can read a full report at the link below.
While the result was another beat down, there was a lot more good that came from this game, then the opener.
Some thoughts:
First off, Robert Morris will be fine. This is not to suggest Andy Toole and the team are happy with 0-2 start, but lets remember, this is a team incorporating a slew of newcomers, are missing a veteran leader and likely starter (Aaron Tate, who should return soon) and have lost to an underrated Lafayette team who will finish in the top 60 offensively (and return everyone from last year) and North Carolina, who will compete for a National Title (and is one of the biggest, most athletic teams in college basketball).
There was a lot of good that came from that game Sunday. First, it was an excellent experience for a young team that is going through this for the first time. After the game, Toole said "As the year goes on, our guys will look back at this experience and it will help them. Especially the young guys."
Speaking of those young guys, how about Marcquise Reed? 24 points, 10-15 shooting, looked great in transition and the halfcourt, and provided a huge spark for RMU early in the game to keep UNC at arm's length for a period of time. The freshman has played really well in two games and looks like a great find for Robert Morris and Andy Toole.
"Marcquise was terrific. It was a positive stride against a quality opponent. He made good decisions in the flow of offense," Toole said. I'm not going to say just yet that RMU has found a replacement for Karvel Anderson or anything like that, but Reed is a player that could be a huge key for this years team. We will see just how much RMU uses the freshman and if he can earn a spot in the starting lineup going forward.
The frontcourt was not all that competitive Sunday night, but it's unfair to judge them against one of the best in the country. They will need to be better, and Bradley will be a good test. Getting Tate back will help.
Elijah Minne, while still very raw, showed some good signs throughout the game, though in small spurts. You can see the athleticism. He has a lot to learn, but looks like he has the traits and physical talent to be a very good player.
Stephan Bennett has got to be better, but I'm going to give him some time. He didn't have a shot Sunday, and Lafayette destroyed the high post putting him in tough situations all game. Talk to me Wednesday and we will know more.
Lucky Jones is off to a very slow start, but again I'm going to give him more time before I really worry. Something tells me Jones has a big game Wednesday at Bradley. The effort is there, and the past tells us the talent (and production) will come.
RMU still lacks an identity, but that's OKAY. This is such a young team. There will be a lot of bumps in the road. Coming into the season, this team reminded me a lot of Andy Toole's first team. That group was looking to replace multiple vet's and starters (Mezie Nwigwe, Dallas Green, Rob Rob etc) and had a bunch of players in new roles (sound familiar). They started the year 4-8, and had players playing all over the floor in different roles.
Then Toole found out who fit where, who made the plays he needed them to make and they went 12-6 in NEC play and made it to the title game (losing in OT).
This team will need practice, game experience, and has a lot of lessons to learn. In the RMU season preview, we wrote..."The team will likely start off slow with some speed bumps along the way. There are a few reasons for this. The team is young, inexperienced, and is facing a very tough non-conference schedule. However, as conference season starts the team will likely find their identity. The defensive scheme and rotations will likely be set and that should allow the team to get in a groove."
Sticking to that prediction.
UNC 103 RMU 59
While the result was another beat down, there was a lot more good that came from this game, then the opener.
Some thoughts:
First off, Robert Morris will be fine. This is not to suggest Andy Toole and the team are happy with 0-2 start, but lets remember, this is a team incorporating a slew of newcomers, are missing a veteran leader and likely starter (Aaron Tate, who should return soon) and have lost to an underrated Lafayette team who will finish in the top 60 offensively (and return everyone from last year) and North Carolina, who will compete for a National Title (and is one of the biggest, most athletic teams in college basketball).
There was a lot of good that came from that game Sunday. First, it was an excellent experience for a young team that is going through this for the first time. After the game, Toole said "As the year goes on, our guys will look back at this experience and it will help them. Especially the young guys."
Speaking of those young guys, how about Marcquise Reed? 24 points, 10-15 shooting, looked great in transition and the halfcourt, and provided a huge spark for RMU early in the game to keep UNC at arm's length for a period of time. The freshman has played really well in two games and looks like a great find for Robert Morris and Andy Toole.
"Marcquise was terrific. It was a positive stride against a quality opponent. He made good decisions in the flow of offense," Toole said. I'm not going to say just yet that RMU has found a replacement for Karvel Anderson or anything like that, but Reed is a player that could be a huge key for this years team. We will see just how much RMU uses the freshman and if he can earn a spot in the starting lineup going forward.
The frontcourt was not all that competitive Sunday night, but it's unfair to judge them against one of the best in the country. They will need to be better, and Bradley will be a good test. Getting Tate back will help.
Elijah Minne, while still very raw, showed some good signs throughout the game, though in small spurts. You can see the athleticism. He has a lot to learn, but looks like he has the traits and physical talent to be a very good player.
Stephan Bennett has got to be better, but I'm going to give him some time. He didn't have a shot Sunday, and Lafayette destroyed the high post putting him in tough situations all game. Talk to me Wednesday and we will know more.
Lucky Jones is off to a very slow start, but again I'm going to give him more time before I really worry. Something tells me Jones has a big game Wednesday at Bradley. The effort is there, and the past tells us the talent (and production) will come.
RMU still lacks an identity, but that's OKAY. This is such a young team. There will be a lot of bumps in the road. Coming into the season, this team reminded me a lot of Andy Toole's first team. That group was looking to replace multiple vet's and starters (Mezie Nwigwe, Dallas Green, Rob Rob etc) and had a bunch of players in new roles (sound familiar). They started the year 4-8, and had players playing all over the floor in different roles.
Then Toole found out who fit where, who made the plays he needed them to make and they went 12-6 in NEC play and made it to the title game (losing in OT).
This team will need practice, game experience, and has a lot of lessons to learn. In the RMU season preview, we wrote..."The team will likely start off slow with some speed bumps along the way. There are a few reasons for this. The team is young, inexperienced, and is facing a very tough non-conference schedule. However, as conference season starts the team will likely find their identity. The defensive scheme and rotations will likely be set and that should allow the team to get in a groove."
Sticking to that prediction.
UNC 103 RMU 59
