How would the addition of Robert Morris affect the landscape of Horizon League Basketball?
According to recent reports, Robert Morris is expected to depart from the NEC and is a candidate to join Horizon League Basketball in the coming years. For much of the last few decades, Robert Morris has been one of the most consistent and successful programs in the NEC, and a move like this makes a lot of sense for their athletics programs. The challenge for their student-athletes would certainly be greater, even if it’s the challenge it once was in this conference.
As it currently stands, there will be 11 teams in the Horizon League next season as Fort Wayne becomes a full-time member in 2020. The schools are spread across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and Robert Morris would become the easternmost school in the league. In recent years, the Horizon League has seen Butler, Loyola-Chicago, and Valparaiso depart the school, leaving the league far less talented than in recent memory.
Robert Morris has been a part of the NEC since 1988 and has done a remarkable job of consistently competing for conference championships. During that time, the Colonials have appeared in six NCAA Tournaments, picking up a First Four win over fellow 16-seed North Florida back in 2015. The Colonials also took 2-seed Villanova to overtime in 2010, which would have been a major upset. The team has finished near the top of the conference almost regularly in the past few decades, but how would they fare by changing leagues.
Geographical fit for Robert Morris to Horizon League Basketball
Geographically, the move actually fits the footprint of the Horizon League. Robert Morris would be located relatively close to both Cleveland State and Youngstown State as the far east portion of the league. One interesting notion to watch would be if the Horizon League would continue to operate with travel partners upon enlisting a 12th school. There are already a number of logical partnerships, including the Wisconsin schools, the Indiana schools, the Michigan schools, and nearby Wright State and Northern Kentucky. While Robert Morris could be easily paired with one of those eastern Ohio schools, it would leave UIC on an island with the other team.
From a basketball standpoint, Robert Morris could do well in the league. In recent years, Northern Kentucky and Wright State have dominated the conference, especially with Butler and Valparaiso’s departure and consistency issues at schools like Milwaukee and Cleveland State. This isn’t to say we should expect them to enter the league and immediately succeed like Northern Kentucky, but this is a move that could definitely work out. The Colonials were 13-5 in the NEC last season, and their NET ranking of 203 would have ranked 3rd in the Horizon.
While Robert Morris considers other options, including joining the MAAC or another league, a move to the Horizon does make sense. While the Horizon could certainly consider other options to find its 12th member, Robert Morris is a name that has been floated by many for quite some time. Their basketball talent and geography would fit in nicely and could give a boost to this struggling conference.
While it’s true that Butler, Loyola, and other teams are not coming back, there’s no reason to lose hope. The Horizon League might never be a top-level mid-major conference again, but it’s still an exciting league with intense action and intrigue.