When: Saturday March 8th, 2pm
Where: Charles L. Sewall Center
KenPom: RMU 158, SFPA 316
Link/TV: FCS, MSG
Storyline: Robert Morris looks to book a spot in the NEC title game Saturday as they take on the Red Flash of St Francis (PA) in the NEC Semifinals. This is by far the biggest game in "the battle of Western PA" in some time. Robert Morris has won 13 straight in the series, but a win for St Francis would make up for a lot of those losses.
Getting to Know the Red Flash:
Back on January 23rd, St Francis lost to Mount St Mary's, 83-77 on their home court. The loss put the Red Flash at 3-15 overall, 1-4 in the NEC.
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| Myers Pate will look to guide his team to the third NEC title game in his four years at RMU (Sentry Media). |
Now they're two wins away from the NCAA tournament.
Coach Rob Krimmel has his team playing pretty good ball as of late, winning seven of their last 12 games, including a stunning first round upset over NEC contender (#3 Bryant) that propelled the Flash into the semifinals.
This is still a very young, inexperienced team (not one senior on the roster) but it's talented. Forward Earl Brown finished second team All-NEC. At 6-6, he's undersized but very athletic and can control the boards. He was a hand full for RMU in both games, going for 11 and 7 in the first game, and 17 and 7 in the second game.
The back court is loaded with young, talented guards including the freshman of the year in the NEC, Malik Harmon.
Harmon, along with Ollie Jackson, Stephon Whyatt, and Ben Millaud-Meunier can all really shoot it. That first meeting at Sewall --a 73-69 RMU win--we saw just how good these guys can be. They were making deep contested three's and erased a double-digit deficit into a 12 point lead in the span of six minutes.
Forward Ronnie Drinnon may be the key for the Red Flash. He went bonkers against Bryant, scoring 20 points and he grabbed a game high 18 rebounds. That's some big time production and the primary reason that St Francis walked out of Smithfield Rhode Island with the win.
One very interesting question, which St Francis team shows up?
The team that shocked Bryant, or the one that went 0-9 vs the top five in the NEC in the regular season and lost their final two games by and average of 26 points?
They have nothing to lose, and after that stunning upset, they should come in confident and play loose. That type of team is always dangerous.
Take Care of Business:
St Francis is by no means going to just layover in this game. But let's be honest, Robert Morris was handed a gift on a silver platter.
They just need to take it.
RMU has won 13 in a row over the Flash, and Andy Toole is a perfect 8-0. While those stats will mean very little at tip-off 2pm Saturday, there is no denying the Colonials recent domination over the Flash.
Both games this year have been very competitive, so it won't be straight forward, but if Karvel Anderson is feeling better --all indications are that he will be good to go-- RMU should find a way to win this game.
A hot start would help. Bryant let the Flash hang around, and that's something you don't want to do with a young team. Give them confidence, and they will make you pay.
There are two things Robert Morris needs to focus on. Closing down the three point shot, and crashing the boards. The Red Flash have a few guys that can hit shots from downtown, and they will look for the three early and often. St Francis is second in the NEC, 27th in the nation, in percent of points from three per KenPom. Outside of Brown, they don't get a ton of production in the paint.
Rebounding will also be a huge key. Brown is one of the best in the league, and Drinnon is coming off an 18 rebound performance. The Colonials have to avoid St Francis getting a lot of second chances. They aren't an overly big team, but their 13 offensive rebounds against Bryant were big, and really limited Bryant's possessions.
On the offensive end, look for the Colonials to do what they have for the past three months. Lot's of Anderson and Lucky Jones, with contributions from role guys like Ant Myers Pate, the energy guy David Appolon and Chuck Oliver.
One worry is guys trying too hard. Ant, Karvel --the two seniors on the squad-- really want this one. They have accomplished everything at RMU, except that elusive tournament berth. When you want something so bad, you tend to press occasionally. Just execute like you have since NEC play started, and let the rest take care of itself.
Redemption:
Flashback one year. The day of one of the more painful losses in recent memory for the Robert Morris men's basketball program.
Mount St Mary's --who went to Bryant and upset the bulldogs in the opening round-- came into the Sewall Center and shocked the one seeded Colonials in the NEC semifinals.
The loss, one that is certainly on the mind of many on the team, still stings.
Saturday at 2pm, it can be forgotten.
Take care of business, get to the title game.
--Lee Kunkel
--@Kunkel5
(PS: If you're going to Florida, your're excused because that's awesome and I'm guessing was planned weeks/months ago but if you're not, stay around campus, and support. No better way to start spring break then booking a spot in the NEC title game! #PackTheChuck)
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