Preview of doubleheader matchup for Robert Morris Men (Wright State) and women (Northern Kentucky)

Thursday evening is a historic day for the Robert Morris men’s and women’s basketball programs. The schools are hosting a quarterfinal matchup for the first time since joining the Horizon League, with a chance to go to Indianapolis in the semis. It’s a double-header in Moon Township, with both teams facing a tough opponent.

Here’s a preview of the matchups, including the keys to winning.

4-seed RMU Women (14-15, 10-10) vs 5-seed NKU (14-14, 8-12) - 5:30 pm

Previous matchups: NKU won 72-58 at home, RMU won 63-59 at home

Key No. 1 Defending Macey Blevins

The leading scorer for the Norse is Blevins, a 5’10 point guard with 12.6 ppg and 2.8 apg. She’s also a threat from deep, making 33% of her shots at four attempts a game. In the two games against RMU, she averaged 17 ppg to lead them in both games. The Colonials defense is one of the best in the Horizon and will need to shut Blevins down to win the game.

Key No. 2 - Noa Givon taking over

RMU’s offense is ranked toward the bottom of the Horizon League, though they’ve played better in the past week. They’re led by Givon (10.3 ppg), the 5’10 guard who scored 35 points in the last two wins. When she has a good game, the Colonials have enough offense to beat anyone outside the Big 3 in the league. Givon only had six points in the team’s win over NKU a couple of weeks ago in that close outing, so will need to have a better stat line to get the win. 

Key No. 3 - Katelyn Chomko the x-factor

Besides Givon, RMU has several other options that can be a potential double-digit scorer. One who has emerged as of late is Chomko, a 5’7 freshman guard. In 20 games, she’s averaging 4.6 ppg but has a pair of recent 15-point games, including in the loss at Cleveland State. All of those points came from the three-point line, which has been an area of weakness for the team. Chomko’s minutes have been inconsistent overall, but if she can make a few shots off the bench, that could be the difference in what should be another low-scoring game.

1-seed RMU Men (23-8, 15-5) vs 8-seed Wright State (14-17, 8-12) - 8 pm

Previous matchups: RMU won 75-72 at home, Wright State won 66-64 at home

Key No. 1 - Alvaro Folgueiras vs Brandon Noel

This game features three of the top frontcourt players in the Horizon League. Folgueiras earned Conference Player of the Year honors for RMU after averaging 14.3 ppg and 9.3 rpg. Meanwhile, Wright State is led by Noel, an all-league star who puts up 19.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg on 54% shooting from the field and 37% from deep. He was a handful in both games vs RMU, scoring 33 points combined in the outings. Look for Folgueiras and Defensive Player of the Year Amarion Dickerson to deal with Noel, who needs a big game to keep the Raiders in it.

Key No. 2 - Continued stellar play from Josh Omojafo

Three starters for RMU were on the all-league team. One who has flown under the radar was Omojafo, who is coming off a season-high 27 points in the win over IU Indy. He had 15 points in the team’s first game and win over the Raiders but was limited to just 13 minutes in the loss after a knee injury. With him fully healthy and in a game that could be a shootout, the Colonials will need Omojafo to have a big impact.

Key No. 3 - Limit bench impact for Wright State

That includes on the defensive end for Omojafo, as the Raiders aren’t just about Brandon Noel. Alex Huibregtse (13.5 ppg) and Jack Doumbia (11.8 ppg) are other double-digit scorers, with Doumbia coming off a historically good game vs IU Indy (23 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists on 8/8 FG). Both Keaton Norris and Logan Woods are shooting over 40% from deep, while even Andrew Welage and Andrea Holden have sometimes had big games. RMU will need a true defensive effort for everyone on the floor to make it to Indy.