Robert Morris men’s basketball is gearing up for another season on the hardwood. Winning an NCAA tournament game for the first time since 1983 against North Flordia, the Colonials fell to the number one ranked Duke Blue Devils in the round of 64.
Fresh off a new contract, coach Andy Toole is entering his sixth year as head coach of the Robert Morris men’s basketball program. In the last eight years, the Colonials take ownership of a 183-96 (.656) record, which is a school and NEC record over that span.
Since their last game, Toole has seen a good share of adversity. In May, freshman standout Marcquise Reed transferred to Clemson University. After the NEC rookie of the year found himself down in South Carolina, Toole had some thinking to do.
“There is no one guy who will replace Marcquise. There are a number of different guys who all bring something different to the table,” Toole said. “A lot of it also depends on who our opponent is, and who matches up well against the other team.”
Lucky Jones, who graduated, went on to sign a professional contract this past July with Betfirst Liege Basketball of the Scooore League in Belgium. Over the course of Jones’ four-year career at Robert Morris, he was a part of 92 wins, the most by a class in school history, and topped the program in rebounding with 846. Last year, Jones averaged 30.5 minutes, 14.3 points per games, 6.3 rebounds per game and finished fourth all-time in scoring in program history.
Not only was Jones a contributor, he was a leader, something that senior Rodney Pryor will have to take over as Pryor started 28 games last season for the Colonials and finished with 201 field goals, averaged 15.6 points per game and accumulated 164 rebounds.
“Rodney is very knowledgeable and talented. He leads by example, works hard and pays attention to detail,” said Toole. “He plays his game with urgency and has a good understanding of what we do here. He has a good way of explaining everything to the rookies. Aaron Tate is another player who shows great leadership and will be relied on to help the younger players”
A lot of help will be needed for these young players, not because of their ability, but because of the quantity. Half of the Colonials’ roster is filled with freshmen and include: Isaiah Still, Steven Whitley, Anthony Pugh, Jordan Lester, Nate Johnson, Joe Hugley, and Matty McConnell.
“They have all done a good job so far,” Coach Toole said referring to his freshman. “They have handled each situation well and have had solid workouts. There was an adjustment period for them, but they learned quickly. A lot of the adjustment was about teaching them how to be a division one basketball player.”
There are a few freshmen who fans should look out for this season and could become major contributors to the overall team effort.
Matty McConnell, a rookie out of Chartiers Valley, led the WPIAL in his senior years in scoring averaging 29.5 points a game. He was named player of the year by both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribute-Review. Leading his team to the 2015 WPIAL AAAA Championship, McConnell finished his career scoring 2,018 points.
“He shoots the basketball well and is a very aggressive shooter,” Toole said. “He is a very committed player and will be in the film room after every game breaking it all down.”
Isaiah Still is another rookie who coaches are excited about. The first-year player out of Union Catholic High School in Rahway, New Jersey averaged 19.6 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game as a senior.
“Isaiah has great instincts. He attacks the basket and gets back in the lane,” Toole said. “He has done a great job of picking up our defensive philosophy and is learning our system well.”
Robert Morris has big expectations for the season after predicted to finish second in the NEC Coach’s Preseason Poll. Although there are plenty of contributors on the bench, it will not be easy for Toole to find the type of production Reed and Jones brought to the team.
Robert Morris will play its first game of the season against Toole’s alma mater, Penn, this Friday in Philadelphia.
Photo Credit: @RMUMBasketball
