Robert Morris has been passing every test since the start of the new year, having won 16 of its last 17 games. They’re back in the NCAA Tournament, taking on the 2-seed Alabama Crimson Tide in the Round of 64. Although they’re big underdogs, the Colonials still have a chance to pull off the major upset.
Here are three keys to the game for Robert Morris to have a chance.
1. Win the frontcourt battle
The biggest area of strength the Colonials have is inside, led by Horizon League Player of the Year Alvaro Folgueiras (13.7 ppg and 8.8 rpg) and Amarion Dickerson, the Conference Defensive Player of the Year, who is 11th in the country with 77 total blocks (2.3 a game). Plus, Ismael Plet is a quality backup big off the bench.
As expected, Alabama has plenty of quality depth inside. However, starting forward Grant Nelson (11.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg) is questionable with a knee injury. The team still has Mouhamed Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson, and 6’11 starting center Cliff Omoruyi, but Nelson’s ability to stretch the floor is what makes the Tide so potent. If he’s out, RMU still has a chance to at least match them on the inside.
2. Kam Woods vs Mark Sears
Both teams’ leading scorers are with their respective lead guards. All-American guard Mark Sears leads the team with 18.7 ppg and 4.9 apg and has several games with at least 25 points. But after a slow start to the season, Kam Woods (15 ppg and 5.1 apg) has been phenomenal, earning MVP in the Horizon Tournament. He’s a 5th-year senior with high-major experience who is also originally from Alabama. Woods will need to match Sears on offense, at least to give RMU hope, but it’s possible.
3. Big game from Josh Omojafo
The biggest x-factor for Robert Morris is Omojafo, a 6’5 starting guard who dropped 24 points and 13 rebounds to beat Youngstown for the championship. He’s the 4th option on offense but is a capable double-digit producer while also being the team’s top perimeter defender. Not only will he need to have a big game on offense, Omojafo will get the main assignments on guys like Chris Youngblood and Labaron Philon, who can go off in any game.