Center
Starter: Kahliel Spear (28 mpg)
After two years off the bench at Bucknell, Spear had an impactful first season at Robert Morris, averaging 9.9 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Although there was some inconsistency, the 6’7 forward did have 10 games of double-digit scoring, including a career-high 22 points in the season-finale versus Detroit Mercy.
Spear is an okay rebounder and defender and has the ability to play the five-spot. We’ll see how his offense improves because thanks to both Winston and Mayers, there are options to play a five-out offense. For now though, the improvement made by the rising senior big man warrants him the starting spot.
Bench: Brandon Stone (12 mpg)
Although Stone has just two double-digit scoring games in his career at La Salle (one did come against Horizon League foe Wright State with 17 points), Stone has the size advantage at 6’11 that’ll have him in contention for a rotational spot. No one else on the roster is taller than 6’8 and there’s a big need for both rebounding and interior defense for Robert Morris to be competitive in league play. We’ll see if Stone has improved enough to be part of the rotation.
With so many key newcomers with potential, projecting a roster rotation for Robert Morris Basketball is difficult, as there’s nearly 100 ppg of scoring production from last season coming back. We’ll have to see who gets the nod versus Central Florida to open the 2021-22 campaign but if things work out, this team could be a sneaky threat in the Horizon League next season.