Robert Morris (22-11, 15-3 NEC) travels to Quinnipiac (23-8, 15-3 NEC) in a match-up between the conference's best. The winner will clinch an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, while the loser will [most likely] settle for the NIT.
The Bobcats defeated the Colonials, 87-79, in their only regular season bout behind sophomore James Johnson's 28 points. Quinnipiac shot over 50 percent from both the field and behind the arc, while Robert Morris's star freshman guard Karon Abraham struggled (3-11 FG).
However, despite having the head-to-head win over the Colonials, Quinnipiac might come in as a bit of an underdog. Their play in the tournament so far has impressed few and their inexperience in these types of games could cost them. Robert Morris comes in after demolishing a red hot Mount St. Mary's squad; plus they have the experience in this game after winning last year against those same Mountaineers.
Let's break down the main areas, shall we?
BACKCOURT
RMU - Freshman Karon Abraham (13.3 PPG), Freshman Velton Jones (8.3 PPG), Senior Mezie Nwigwe (8.4 PPG)
QU - Sophomore James Johnson (12.2 PPG), Senior James Feldeine (17.1 PPG), Senior Jeremy Baker (9.2 PPG)
Quinnipiac's stats are inflated a little because of their lack of bench production [more on that in a bit]. However, all three of their starting guards are good shooters from all around the court, whereas Abraham is the only true three-point threat on the Colonials. Jones and Nwigwe get most of their points driving towards the basket and are usually left open for long range shots.FRONTCOURT
Advantage: Quinnipiac
RMU - Senior Rob Robinson (10.1 PPG), Senior Dallas Green (6.5 PPG)
QU - Junior Justin Rutty (15.2 PPG), Junior Jonathan Cruz (5.3 PPG)
Both teams possess a player that made the all-conference team. Robinson has been finding his stride lately after struggling part of the season and Green has been an offensive threat the last two games with double-digit efforts. On the other side, Rutty is an absolute stud and won the NEC Player of the Year award, but Cruz isn't much to worry about with only four games over 10+ points. He's a solid defensive player, but nothing special.BENCH
Advantage: Push
RMU - Freshman Russell Johnson (7.2 PPG), Junior Gary Wallace (5.8 PPG), Senior Josiah Whitehead (3.9 PPG)
QU - Junior Deontay Twyman (7.2 PPG), Freshman Jamee Jackson (4.0 PPG), Freshman Dave Johnson (4.0 PPG)
This is a total mismatch. Robert Morris has the deepest bench in the conference with three guys that could start for various teams throughout the NEC. Johnson is a very athletic forward that can shoot from outside or drive towards the basket, Wallace is a good defender and floor general and Whitehead is a good jumpshooter from inside the arc. For Quinnipiac, Twyman provides some instant offense but the two freshmen aren't threats whatsoever.
Advantage: Robert MorrisCOACHING
RMU - Mike Rice
QU - Tom Moore
Rice's experience in these types of games gets the check. A Jamie Dixon clone, the Colonials head coach has done a fine job adjusting his rotation after senior Jimmy Langhurst was lost with a knee injury during late Decemeber. He also boasts a 72-29 record in his three years at Robert Morris. Moore is a former assistant under Jim Calhoun at UConn and is looking to lead the Bobcats to their first NCAA Tournament. They haven't been in the NEC title game since 2002.
Advantage: Robert MorrisPREDICTION
These two teams have been the NEC's best the entire time and it was a shame they only faced each other once in the regular season. If Quinnipiac has another hot shooting night, they should take it, but you can't expect them to shoot over 50% from the field and behind the arc again against the same team. This has all the makings of a classic, but the Colonials' experience and the momentum they have going for them after smacking down Mount St. Mary's gives them just enough to win.Robert Morris 65, Quinnipiac 60
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