What we learned from Robert Morris 1-1 trip to Iowa on opening week of 2025-26

After losing almost its entire roster from last season’s Horizon League championship group, it was a complete unknown what Robert Morris Basketball would look like for the 2025-26 season. Their first two games would be a great test for them, as they take on Iowa and Drake on the road.

The season opener was rough for the Colonials, as they lost 101-69 to the Hawkeyes. However, the team improved significantly just 48 hours later, pulling off the upset over Drake in OT, 81-79. North Carolina A&T transfer forward Nikolaos Chitikoudis was the star for RMU, averaging 16 ppg and 9.5 rpg in the two games.

But what else stood out with the Colonials from the first week of the season? Here are three other key takeaways.

1. Frontcourt depth could be nearly as good as last year’s 

Replacing the Horizon League Player of the Year (Alvaro Folguerias) and Conference Defensive Player of the Year (Amarion Dickerson) was always going to be a difficult task. Still, the first week showed great potential for Rober Morris. Not only did Chitikoudis play well, but so did IU Indy transfer DaSean Goode, who produced 24 points and 13 rebounds in the two games. Kaleb Brown and Josh Hill got in as well, making it an actual four-man rotation.

Considering the Colonials will face bigger frontcourts than they did in league play, this is a positive development for the team this season. Plus, Chitikoudis is not only likely the go-to player on the team but also a potential Horizon POY candidate to watch.

2. Ryan Prather’s bigger role

Last year, Prather averaged 8.3 ppg, starting 12 games for the Colonials. As the only rotation player back, it’s expected that he’d take a larger role in the rotation. That happened in the first week, playing in all but 12 minutes in the first two games, producing 12 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 5.0 apg. In the win over Drake, the junior wing had 12 points, eight rebounds, and a team-high seven assists.

Prather is best known for being a shot-maker, shooting 40% from deep last year. But he has the potential to do more, and on this roster, he looks to be given the opportunity.

3. Albert Vargas the clear PG, with Livingston standing out as well

Without Kam Woods or DJ Smith around, the point guard position for Robert Morris was up for grabs. It was Vargas, a 5’11 former D-2 guard from Southern Connecticut State, who got the starting nod. After struggling against Bennett Stirtz and Iowa, the senior bounced back well against Drake, producing 12 points and five assists, making 4/8 from three-point range.

Just as big a development was the debut of Darius Livingston, a 6’2 guard who scored nine points in each game, including making a key shot in OT for RMU when Vargas had fouled out. In the transfer era, freshmen seldom get to play significant roles, but Livingston played well in the first two games, minus the eight combined turnovers.

It’s early, but the drop-off for the Colonials may not be too much once Horizon League play gets going.