Robert Morris vs. CCSU preview: Avoiding a letdown

Robert Morris (12-10, 7-0) vs. Central Connecticut State (5-15, 1-6)

When: Saturday, February 1, at 4 p.m.

Where: The Charles L. Sewall Center

KenPom: RMU 159, CCSU 325

Stream: NEC Front Row, RMUradio.com

Storyline: RMU looks to avoid dropping a letdown game and improve to 8-0 in conference for the first time in school history

Getting to know the Blue Devils

It’s been a tough go of things for Central Connecticut State this season. Before the season started, many (myself included) thought CCSU was poised for a run at the NEC title. Things started off bad and never really got better. Star player Kyle Vinales, an NEC player of the year candidate, broke his hand a few weeks ago and if he comes back it’ll only be for the NEC tournament. If the Blue Devils get there. Then, senior wing Matt Hunter became ineligible and will also be out the remainder of the season. Losing your two best players generally isn’t a winning formula.

CCSU still has some talent. Two JuCo transfers I really like are Faronte Drakeford and Khalen Cumberlander. Drakeofrd leads the team with an average of 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while Cumberlander averages 6.5 points per game. Malcom McMillan, Matt Mobley, and Brandon Peel are also names to know for CCSU.

KenPom statistics reveal below average offensive and defensive efficiency ratings for CCSU. Going into the season, just about everyone expected a porous defense but figured a high powered offense could hide that flaw enough to win some games. Now with Vinales and Hunter gone, CCSU can’t score and still can’t play defense.

Avoiding the letdown

While RMU is playing some good ball, there was a game two years ago that was eerily similar to what we’re facing now. In 2011-2012 RMU was fresh off a huge win on national television against LIU. The game after? RMU dropped a home game against a clearly inferior St. Francis Brooklyn squad. There was no energy in the building and the players had zero life. RMU has to avoid a similar letdown today.

Getting Lucky?

Lucky Jones is going through a cold streak right now, but the junior guard still remains only seven points away from the 1,000 point mark.