The 2022-23 campaign for the Robert Morris Colonials men’s basketball program will be built off what coach Andy Toole hopes is valuable experience. Yes, the 2021-22 season was, by all standards, sub-par, with the Colonials ending the season 8-24 and losing in the 2nd round of the Horizon League Tournament. The Colonials will look to super senior Kahliel Spear, 2022 All-Horizon League third-teamer, as their leader. RMU is entering their third season in the Horizon League led by Toole, entering his 13th season as Colonials head coach.
One area RMU will have to improve to have any chance at call this season a success is their road record, which wont be easy with a fairly young team. Robert Morris played 18 road contests last season, going 4-14 and that just simply is not acceptable under Toole. If you know anything about Toole and his teams, they typically have a different “toughness” to them and have been able to survive many road games with good, disciplined defense and free throw shooting, which both really plagued the team last season. If the Colonial want to go anywhere in 2022 and beyond, improvement has to come on the road.
Home was not kind to RMU either, with the Colonials going 4-10 at the UPMC Events Center. As a former student at RMU, I can speak first hand to the lackluster “home court advantage” for the Colonials. I am looking at the athletic department, student body and, more importantly, the players to give them a quality product to come out and support. I am going to do this often I fear this season, but I am calling out any and all Robert Morris students, alumni and general supporters. Bring the energy this season, this team is young, many new faces to the program. Bring the energy on home games and you likely will see a much better result this season.
RMU will kickoff their 2022-23 season with Colonials Madness, October 20th at 7pm at the UPMC Events center, and the regular season will officially get underway in Columbus, OH November 7th against Ohio State.
Lineup (Projected)
Michael Green III (G)
Kahliel Spear (F)
Enoch Cheeks (F)
Matt Mayers (F)
TJ Wainwright (G)
Key Reserves
One player I have my eye on this season will be Jackson Last. Last, a transfer in from Salt Lake CC who RMU notes can and will score from anywhere. Starting 25 games for the Bruins and leading them to the NJCAA Division I title game, Last is another weapon Robert Morris will have at its exposure with some championship level experience. Shooting 38% from three last year, will Last be the “shooter” RMU puts in games to be their run stopper?
Josh Corbin, the transfer from Winthrop, also looks to play a key role in the rotation for the Colonials. Knocking down a shade under 30% of his threes, Corbin will be looked upon to score from all over the floor. the redshirt junior comes to RMU playing in 20 games and starting 5 for the Eagles last season.
Outlook
One newcomer to really keep your eye on is Freshman Guard TJ Wainwright. Wainwright, a 6-3 guard from Los Angeles, brings championship mentality and experience to the roster coming off leading Monteverde Academy to the 2021-22 Florida Sun Basketball Conference National title. Coming to RMU averaging 15.7 points and a near 50 percent shooting percentage, Toole will surely look to Wainwright in key moments this season with the expectation that the youngster will deliver.
Also returning is Spear, who if you watched any games in 2021-22, you know was the motor that made Robert Morris go. Spear will need to lead a young RMU squad that will have 12 underclassman on a roster of 16, but the Colonials should be able to count on leadership from seniors Michael Green III and Matt Mayers. Both Green III and Mayers had a bit of a rollercoaster 2021-22 season, but RMU is welcoming 11 new players, so it will be a mostly young and inexperienced squad for the Colonials.
Building off their first Horizon League tournament win in the opening round last year, RMU should rebound from their lackluster 5-16 league record.
For years, Robert Morris has been built on toughness, defense and just simply out willing your opponent. Last season was abysmal at times, I expect Toole to right the ship this year and bring the program back closer to the “norm.”
And again, RMU students and fans…..GO TO THE GAMES, BRING THE ENERGY. This team can do some damage, but they need the support behind them at home! Be a good student, support your classmates!
HoriZone Roundtable Prediction
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IUPUI | Green Bay | Cleveland State | Milwaukee | Robert Morris | Detroit Mercy
Youngstown State | Wright State | Oakland | Northern Kentucky | Purdue Fort Wayne
