Preview: Men’s basketball Thanksgiving week

Photo credit: David Auth

Jonathan Hanna, Contributor
November 16, 2018

MOON TOWNSHIP — The Robert Morris men’s basketball team (1-2) will play three games over the Thanksgiving break. In the Colonials last game, they won by a score of 104- 57 against the Mount Aloysius College Mounties (1-1) on Wednesday night. Senior Josh Williams tied an NCAA record with 15 made three-pointers, good enough for 49 points. Matty McConnell also added 12 points for the Colonials.

Game One: Saturday, November 17 @ 7:00 p.m.

In the Colonials first game, they will play against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (0-3) at the North Athletic Complex on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m. This will be the Colonials third game in the 2018 National College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.

In Mississippi Valley State’s last game, the Delta Devils lost 94-59 to the Utah State Aggies (3-0). Senior guard Jordan Evans had 29 points for Mississippi Valley State, while Dante Scott, a senior small forward from Miami, Florida, had 20 points.

Prediction: The Colonials get their second win of the season, 73-57. Koby Thomas scores 18 points, while Josh Williams and Charles Bain each score 24 points.

Game Two: Monday, November 19 @ 7:00 p.m.

To close out the 2018 National College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, the Colonials will travel to Deland, Florida to take on the Stetson University Hatters (1-2). The game will be on Monday, Nov.19 at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN 970.

In Stetson’s last game, the Hatters were defeated by the USC Trojans (2-1) by a score of 95-59. Christiaan Jones scored 11 points, and sophomore Abayomi Iyiola had eight points and eight assists.

Prediction: The Colonials will win a close game against Stetson, 68-63. Matty McConnell scores 10 points and has five steals in the game.

Game Three: Friday, November 23 @ 2:00 p.m.

In the final game of their Thanksgiving break lineup, Robert Morris will battle against the Purdue Boilermakers (2-0) in Lafayette, Indiana. The Colonials – Boilermakers game will be on ESPN 970 and will tip off on Friday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Purdue last played on Saturday, Nov.10, against the Ball State Cardinals (1-1). The Boilermakers won the game 84-75, and Carsen Edwards, a junior from Texas scored 23 points and added five assists. Also playing a big part in the Boilermakers’ win was Evan Boudreaux. The 6’8” transfer from Dartmouth scored 14 points coming off the bench.

Prediction: The Colonials lose this one by a score of 83-71. While the Colonials hang tough in the first half, the skill and size of the Purdue team will be too much. Koby Thomas scores 15 points in the loss.