Where: Curb Event Center, Nashville, Tennessee
When: Friday, March 21st, 9:30pm
KenPom: RMU 156, Belmont 89
Link: ESPNU, ESPN radio 970
Storyline: The Colonials hit the road for the second round of the NIT as they take on fellow mid-major Belmont, as the winner looks to move on the 'elite eight' of the NIT and get one step closer to Madison Square Garden.
Getting to Know the Bruins:
Belmont, like Robert Morris, ran away with the regular season title in their league, but was upset in the championship game. The Ohio Valley regular season champs would have been a trendy upset pick in the NCAA tournament. At 25 and nine, they own wins over North Carolina, Indiana State, and Green Bay.
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| RMU could use some scoring from Oliver. |
One interesting thing about this game, both teams love the three point shot and can put up points. Belmont scores over 112 points per 100 possessions, thats the 37th best adjusted offense in the country. They shoot 39 percent from three, 14th best in the country. They shoot 57 percent inside the arc, that's the best two point field goal percentage in the country. These guys are lethal offensively.
They're a very average defensive team, and they don't have a lot of athleticism. They also are not a very good rebounding team, so Robert Morris will have their opportunities to match the high powered Bruin attack.
The Bruins have four guys scoring in double-figures including their leading scorer, JJ Mann who averages 18 per game.
Down, but not out:
Davis Appolon, who suffered a foot injury against St John's, will not play against the Bruins, or any other games should RMU advance in the NIT. The crazy eight will be down to seven guys. I don't think it's impossible, because Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones were going to play 35 plus minutes anyway.
Now if there is another injury, or someone gets in major foul trouble, RMU might not have a chance. Gotta defend without fouling.
Sustained Excellence:
Karvel and Lucky scored a combined 63 points in the win over St. John's. They probably won't need that output to win, but they do need around 50 combined points so RMU can keep up with the Bruins. Belmont will score a lot of points. They are going to get good looks agains the zone, thats just the type of offense they possess. RMU needs their big guns to keep pace.
Chuck Oliver needs to ball:
As good as RMU was in their beat down of St. John's, Chuck wasn't a huge part of it. RMU will need him to play a good game. With Appolon out, he will get a lot more minutes then he was already getting. This is a game he should have opportunities to thrive, and a lot of them. Belmont doesn't play great D, and their attention will be solely on Lucky and Karvel. Gotta make them pay Chuck.
Another Golden Ticket?
Obviously, there is a lot to play for here. The Colonials are two wins away from a trip to MSG for the NIT final four. They get another chance to play on national TV, and the two seniors, Anderson and Ant Myers Pate, don't want their careers to end.
But there may be some other incentive.
If RMU can leave Tennessee with a win, and Illinois can beat Clemson on the road, the Colonials could host the quarterfinal game against the Illini. Illinois home arena is under construction, and not available. They won their first game on the road at Boston U, so it appears they are playing every game on the road. Could the Chuck host another power conference team? We will see.
Sit back and enjoy:
The NCAA tournament starts just after noon, and games run all day. How can this day be any better? A little RMCMB on ESPNU at 9:30pm. Sure, we all wish we were on TNT or TBS or truTV or CBS, but hey I'll take it, and I'll enjoy it.
Karvel gave us one last show on Tuesday, and who knows maybe he has another career high in him. It might be his last game, it might be Ant's last game, and it could be Toole's last game. Enjoy, and go Colonials.
--Lee Kunkel
--@Kunkel5
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