RMU Basketball: 3 keys to season-opening matchup with Xavier

RMU Basketball takes on Xavier on the opening night of the 2023-24 season. What are the keys to the Colonials winning the game?

After a competitive exhibition matchup two weeks ago against Penn State, RMU Basketball looks to have a roster capable of giving power conference programs a fight. They’ll have a real test against Xavier, who looks completely different than last season thanks to a pair of forwards (Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter) out indefinitely via injuries.

The Colonials will be a clear underdog in this matchup but upsets are possible. Here’s a look at three keys to the game on the Horizon League team’s side.

1. Stay competitive in the frontcourt

With the injuries Xavier is dealing with inside, it’s a chance for RMU Basketball to not get killed on the boards or inside chances. Western Michigan transfer Markeese Hastings posted a double-double against Penn State in the exhibition, while 6’7 forward Stephaun Walker is a potential breakout candidate as a sophomore. If they can take advantage of a depleted Musketeer frontcourt, they’ll have a shot.

2. Justice Williams’s production

The big name that Robert Morris brought in was Williams, a former top-40 prospect and transfer from LSU. He struggled in the exhibition but many do against Penn State guard and former A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Ace Baldwin. Williams will go up against the likes of top-50 freshman Trey Green and WKU guard transfer Dayvion McKnight. Williams needs a big game for the Colonials and needs to be the lead guard that can take on power conference opponents.

3. Consistent three-point shooting

The best way to be in “upset alert” range if you’re the underdog is to make a lot of threes. And they have at least one guy capable of doing that in Josh Corbin, the top returning leading scorer who shot 37% from deep on nearly eight attempts a game. He had seven games with at least 5 three-pointers made and is very streaky, both good and bad.

If Corbin is on the wrong side of the potential streakiness, then RMU Basketball has no shot at beat Xavier. But if he gets hot, and guards Jackson Last and TJ Wainright joins him, then things could get interesting on opening night.