The career path's were different, but still so very impactful. For both Ant Myers Pate and Karvel Anderson, the ride is soon coming to an end. They will be missed, and they both deserve great support Saturday.
Senior days are always kind of weird at Robert Morris, because the team still has home games to play in the NEC tournament (hopefully three wins). It's still senior day though, and much like last year, the guys being honored have had one hell of a ride at Robert Morris.
Let's start with Ant. Not only is he an incredible point guard, but he's one of the coolest guys on campus. He acknowledges everyone and loves being a Robert Morris student. He's at all the other sporting events supporting his fellow athletes, he's never been involved in any off the court problems, and he's had an incredible career on the court. Simply put, he's a great ambassador for the program and the school.
 |
| Great career #5 and #15. Now lets go dancing. |
Myers Pate is also the first four year player under Andy Toole. That's saying something. There is a reason this program wins a lot. The expectations are set high, VERY HIGH. Andy Toole doesn't accept BS, he doesn't make excuses, and he's TOUGH. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least seven players that have transferred or quit the team. It's not easy. The coaches ask a lot of the players, and expect results.
Myers Pate hasn't made excuses, hasn't complained. He's worked. Hard. That work has paid off. He went 18-14 his first season and made the NEC title game. His sophomore year, the team went 26-11, made the NEC title game again, and went to the postseason. His junior year? 24-11, an NEC regular season title, and a win over Kentucky (a game in which Ant played so hard, his legs literally stopped working). Senior year? Another regular season title (hopefully outright after Saturday), and hopefully much more to come.
It's not easy being an RMU Colonial under Andy Toole. But it's worth it.
Then there is Karvel.
The guy got into a car crash on his way to the airport for his official visit, and he thought his chance at playing D-1 ball crashed in the process.
He eventually made it to Robert Morris, and I think we're all damn happy that was/is the case. Can you have a better two year career?
Last year, Anderson played with a broken wrist, came off the bench, and still led the team in scoring. This offseason, the wrist healed up, and Anderson got to work.
Known as a shooter, Anderson is now a complete player on both sides of the ball. His development from a good role player to a super star has been so damn fun to watch. Every game recap the last two months seems to be the same storyline. Karvel goes bonkers and leads Robert Morris to a win.
Will he make it to the NBA? Maybe, maybe not. But here's what I love about Karvel. I don't think that's remotely on his mind at the moment. Maybe buried in the back, but this guy has one thing on his mind. Not the NEC player of the year, not making the first team, not scoring 20 plus a game....Making the NCAA tournament. That's why he came to Robert Morris. That's how he wants to be remembered.
Like Myers Pate, Anderson has represented the university and program the best he possibly could. His national story on NBC was heart warming. He's worked just as hard in the classroom to raise his GPA. He is always praising others, despite being the main man. How about retweeting almost all his fans after a big game?
Thank you to both for your dedication and hard work. Robert Morris basketball is at it's all time high, and these two are a big reason why.
Only one more thing is left to achieve, a trip to the NCAA tournament.
--Lee Kunkel
--@Kunkel5
No comments:
Post a Comment