Tuesday's countdown to tip-off

Did you know RMU basketball tips off this Saturday? The countdown is on. All week CTC will list a rundown of things related to RMU basketball. You can check out yesterday’s piece here. With four days until game day, here is a list of the four things we love about head coach Andy Toole.

4) Chris: Everything from the Kentucky game: We’re not just talking about that incredible inbounds play design that eventually led to Mike McFadden’s go-ahead free throws (although it could warrant its own spot) but what about when he took the microphone and yelled at the crowd to stop throwing trash on the court? Or this awesome tweet from after the game? Toole was the architect of that massive upset.

Lee: Hammer meet nail head: That single game legitimized Toole as a big time college basketball coach. He had his guys prepared for a massive challenge, in the biggest game of their, and his life. Let me make this very clear. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO RMU AGAIN. They will never play a program like UK at home again. It's a once in a life opportunity, and he out coached Coach Cal, and beat a team with 4-5 NBA guys, with an undersized team. He had his guys running until their legs literally did not work. Oh, and the out of bounds call took massive kahuna's. 

3) Chris: The diversity: Toole might be an all-world basketball mind but he’s more then just a coach. The Jersey guy is a pretty big Giants and Knicks fan and will impress with his overall knowledge of the sports landscape.

Lee: There may not be a better interview in the NEC. 

2) Chris: His style: This goes a little deeper and creepier then his coaching style. Toole steals all the ladies hearts with his devilishly good looks and perfect hair. The Penn grad is always well-spoken and his intense nature can pump up his players and the crowd.

Lee: Sounds like Chris has a man crush.....

   

1) Chris: The winning: Since becoming a head coach, Toole is a measly 68-36 with two NEC finals appearances, an NEC regular season title, and an NIT victory over the defending national champions. Not a bad resume to put together in three years. Did we mention he’s still one of the youngest coaches in college basketball? There’s only one thing missing from his resume and CTC feels pretty confident about Toole capturing it this year.

Lee: Enjoy this Robert Morris because it's only a matter of time before he is scooped up by a program with double the athletic budget that RMU has (afterall, Duquesne and Siena showed some sort of interest the past two seasons). That's just the circle of life in college basketball. But for now, Toole will likely orchestrate another 20 win season, and should once again have the Colonials in the NEC title race. If he makes the NCAA tournament, there isn't a column on his resume that isn't checked off. He's already achieved a lot at RMU, everything else is gravy from this point on. When he does leave (it's going to happen people) he has left the program in great shape. They can compete with anyone, anywhere. There is a boatload of young talent on the roster, and he has the team on the map.

Chris: Never leave, coach.
Lee: If you do leave Coach, Just don't go to Duke ... :)

Lee Kunkel (@Kunkel5) -- Chris Cappella (@C_Cappella) -- Tomorrow: the top three things we LOVE about the Chuck