Robert Morris Basketball: Ranking the 11 non-conference opponents for 2024-25 season

4. Cornell Big Red - 2023-24 season record: 22-8 (11-3 Ivy League)

Cornell won 90-85 over RMU Basketball last season in a shootout and returns most of its main pieces, excluding leading scorer, Chris Manon. Two other starters are back, including Nazir Williams (11.4 ppg) and Cooper Noard. Guy Ragland and AK Okereke, two key rotation pieces who came off the bench, will have even larger roles next season.

3. Ohio Bobcats - 2023-24 season record: 20-13 (13-5 MAC)

The top two scorers (Jaylin Hunter and Shereef Mitchell) are gone but Ohio does bring back AJ Clayton, who averaged 12.0 ppg and 4.7 rpg in the frontcourt. Other returning pieces include Aidan Hadaway, Elmore James, and Ajay Sheldon, who each could very well start. The x-factor on the team will be Jackson Paveletzke, who struggled at Iowa State last season but averaged 15.0 ppg as a freshman at Wofford and could be an all-league guy back at the mid-major level.

2. Towson Tigers - 2023-24 season record: 20-14 (11-7 CAA)

Towson won a tight home game at RMU last season, winning by four points. And they’re the rare mid-major team to not suffer a transfer loss, returning the majority of its production for another year. The one loss was a big one in Charles Thompson, who was a three-time All-CAA defender and talented forward. Leading scorers Christian Ray and Dylan Williamson are back, along with Tyler Tejada (10.1 ppg) who could be a breakout sophomore to watch.

1. West Virginia Mountaineers - 2023-24 season record: 9-23 (4-14 Big 12)

It was a rough past season for West Virginia, whose offseason issues doomed them from the start. They’ve made a complete change this offseason, hiring former Drake HC, Darian DeVries. He brings with him his son Tucker, a two-time MVC Player of the Year, coming off averaging 21.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 3.7 apg. Other notable newcomers include forward Toby Okani, OK State PG transfer Javon Small, and Jayden Stone, a familiar face for RMU, coming off producing 20.8 ppg at Detroit Mercy.

With the talent level alone, the Mountaineers being the top non-conference opponent makes sense for RMU. But with a completely new roster, it could take time for things to gel for them, making the opening night game between them next season a prime opportunity for the Colonials to make some noise.