On the path to a Horizon repeat: Why Robert Morris has won 4 straight in league play

A few weeks ago, Robert Morris was 6-7 in Horizon League play, coming off losses to Green Bay and Purdue Fort Wayne. But when it looked as if the Colonials had no shot to repeat as conference champions, they’ve since won four straight games, including two over the top teams in the conference in Oakland and Wright State.

Now at 10-7, the Colonials are tied for third place in the standings and look like a real threat to contend in the conference tournament in Indianapolis. What’s been the change to Robert Morris to allow them to win? Here are four takeaways from the latest win streak. 

1. DeSean Goode’s POY candidacy

A year ago, Alvaro Folgueiras was the Horizon League Player of the Year after averaging 14.1 ppg and 9.1 rpg for the regular season champs. RMU isn’t likely to end up in first place, but considering both Oakland and Wright State keep losing games, there’s a chance their best player, Goode, could be in the mix.

On the season, Goode is averaging 15.4 ppg and 8.8 rpg, shooting 67% from the field and a whopping 66% from three-point range. He’s coming off an 18-point and 12-rebound effort in the big win over Oakland and is arguably the best frontcourt player in the Horizon League. If RMU keeps winning late, he could end up just like Folguerias.

2. Collective frontcourt effort

But it’s not just Goode that makes the frontcourt for RMU so imposing. Nikolaos Chitikoudis (11 ppg and 7.6 rpg) has had his ups and downs but has been playing well of late, coming off a career-high 20-point and 15-rebound effort in the win over Oakland. There’s plenty of depth as well, with Samuel Obenjo and Ubong Okon giving them quality defense from the bench. With Josh Hill out with a lower-leg injury, RMU’s defense has been given a boost with these four bigs getting all of the minutes.

3. Quality play from Darius Livingston

Another player out for the Colonials is starting point guard Albert Vargas, who is out with an ankle injury. Freshman guard Livingston (9.2 ppg and 2.9 apg) has gotten increased minutes in his place, coming off back-to-back 15-point games, combining to shoot 8-22 from three-point range. With the bigs getting all of the attention inside, it’s opened room for Livingston (37% 3PT) to make shots from the outside, making the Colonials offense all the more dangerous.

4. Ryan Prather’s move to PG

But while Livingston has taken over for Vargas in the lineup, the “true” point guard for the team as of late has been Prather. He leads the team with 15.6 ppg but is also averaging nearly 4.0 apg, coming off a career-high 10 assists and zero turnovers against Oakland. With him facilitating the offense, it’s allowed Livingston to focus on shooting, and the overall ball control has been great for RMU. If Prather continues this stellar run of his own, then RMU should have two first-team players on the Horizon postseason list.