Game day: Sacred Heart at Robert Morris

Robert Morris (9-10, 4-0) vs Sacred Heart (4-15, 1-3)
When: Thursday, January 23rd, 7pm
Where: Charles L. Sewall Center, Moon Township PA
KenPom: RMU 155, Sacred Heart 284
Storyline: The Colonials look to stay undefeated in conference play as they return home to start a vital four game home stand at the Chuck (#PackTheChuck). The stand kicks off against Sacred Heart, who is 1-3 in the NEC. The Colonials defeated the Pioneers two weeks ago, back on January 9th, 79-70 as Karvel Anderson went for a career high 36 points.
Link: NEC Front Row

Getting to Know the Pioneers:

Karvel went for 36 two weeks ago against
Sacred Heart (p/c PSR).

Not too much to talk about here, as the Colonials and their fans should already know all about Sacred Heart, after all you did read our preview for the January 9th game, right?

In the past few games, not much has changed for the Pioneers. They can score it at a decent rate, led by one of the better passers in college basketball, Phil Gaetano. 

In the last meeting, Mostafa Abdel Latif gave the Colonials some fits on the glass, collecting a game high 12 rebounds, and a Pioneer high 17 points. With Mike McFadden no longer on the team (he also didn't play last meeting), RMU will be very thin up front. Look for Abdel Latif to attack.

Sacred Heart really struggled defensively, and has all season. They're giving up 113.9 points-per-100 possessions, that number is the 317th worse in college basketball. RMU hasn't changed in the past two weeks. They can still really score it, and still have a wide array of weapons. The Colonials shouldn't have many problems putting up points.

Louis Montes and Chris Evans are two others to keep an eye on. Both average in double-digits at 12 points-per-game. Steve Glowiak will once again be the top three-point threat. RMU needs to contain him or things could become much more difficult.

Zone Adjustments:

Other then getting killed at the rim, RMU has been
good defensively in their first four NEC game.
(KenPom)

It's been well documented on CTC that RMU's zone has saved the teams abysmal defense. It's been really good the past four games against NEC competition allowing 103.4 points-per-100 possessions. That's actually better then the division one average. In the non-conference they were hovering around the 109 mark or higher for much of the season.

The Colonials are also forcing more turnovers, and it's allowed the team to play with more aggression because they aren't doing as much thinking. It's always better to just play, not think and play.

In NEC play, they lead the league in turnover percentage, turning teams over 23 percent of the time. This leads to extra possessions, and easy baskets in transition.

Now we get to see what teams will do against the zone the second time around. This will be interesting. It's one thing to see a defense on tape, it's another to play against it for 40 minutes, dissect what worked and what didn't, and make adjustments. Sacred Heart will be the first NEC opponent to get a second look at the zone, and it will be interesting to see what they do.

Saturday's opponent, Wagner, will get their first look at the 2-3 zone, but Bryant will be the second team next Thursday to get a second look. This will be something to watch.

Moving On: 

Thursday night will be the second game that RMU will play since McFadden stepped away from the team. Still no word on Juanie Newton. Chris wrote this piece on McFadden, and some of the adjustments the Colonials will make without their starting center.

Here are my quick thoughts:

One, I hope Mike gets healthy and makes a comeback in a few weeks (like last season). He's battled so many injuries over the years so I cant blame him for calling it quits. RMU will no-doubt need some depth as the season goes on, and let's not forget Mike dominated an NBA front line less then a year ago (UK).

CTC would love to see more Chuck Oliver.
(p/c RMU Sentry Media)

If he is gone for good, I wish him nothing but the best. I've said it before, Mike's free throw's in mid-March gave me, and many others, my best memory at RMU. He's an RMU legend, and nothing will change that. Good luck with everything Big Mike.

As for this team, I think Chris covered everything. Hawk will need to stay out of foul trouble, but RMU has the bigs to hold serve most nights. Expect a little more small ball with Luck --the best rebounder on the team-- at the four spot.

More Chuck Oliver? I hope so. Chuck is a baller.

Take Care of Business: 

RMU enters a four game home stand, with two of the games against fellow contenders Bryant and Wagner, at 4-0 in NEC play. Undefeated. I detailed here what it means for the Colonials moving forward.

Quick summary, four wins here at home, and RMU is looking really good after the first eight games, the halfway mark, to secure home court throughout the NEC tournament. Even a three-and-one home stand will put the team in solid position.

With games against Bryant and Wagner lurking, it's important RMU get off on a good foot and take care of business against an inferior opponent that RMU has already beaten. This seems elementary, but remember it took a mini-miracle comeback against St. Francis PA to secure an "easy win" just one week ago.

KenPom has the Colonials winning this one 83-70. Hopefully he's dead on.

--@Kunkel5
--Lee Kunkel