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8 hours!
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^ Shouts to MvP for the sick sig. GFX TEAM BACK
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NEC Quarterfinal Game Day: Monmouth at RMU
As surprising as the carnage was on the final day of play in the Northeast Conference, there was a sense around the league that it was only a matter of time. All of the top four seeds lost - LIU Brooklyn, Wagner, Robert Morris, and St. Francis (N.Y.) - while the bottom four seeds won their final regular season games.
In Andy Toole's eyes, it just reaffirmed the suspicion that this will be one of the toughest conference tournaments in recent memory.
"I think most of us understood, I would assume at least with the coaches, that it was going to be as competitive and as crazy as an NEC Tournament as it ever has been, and I think Saturday only confirmed that."
For a Robert Morris team that has struggled with consistency, a wide open NEC tournament is both exhilarating and frightening. As the No. 3 seed, Robert Morris could benefit from an upset or two should the wildness occur in the first round. But with their own warts readily apparent - lack of focus, penchant to struggle defending the three-pointer, and an overall Jekyll/Hyde approach - Robert Morris could just as easily be bounced out of the tournament Thursday night.
"When you look at the match-ups and the way some of the teams are playing, regardless of seed, I think everybody in the tournament is dangerous and everyone is capable of winning," Toole said.
Robert Morris need not look any further than the last contest at Monmouth for proof. Down by 15 in the second half, Robert Morris rallied to force overtime and pull out an 81-73 victory. The Colonials needed 35 points and six assists from Velton Jones that night, as the Hawks got six three-pointers from Dion Nesmith.
Though Monmouth lost, the Hawks went 8-2 over their next 10 games, capping the impressive rally with Saturday's 106-78 thrashing of LIU Brooklyn.
"I think it was just a matter of them becoming comfortable with the style and system that they're running. You've seen them slowly get more and more comfortable," Toole said. "I think finding that balance has allowed them to be more effective when they do go fast and to be just as effective when they need to slow it down and execute the offense."
The toughest change came on defense, where King Rice installed a man-to-man defense, eliminating Monmouth's old reliance on the 2-3 zone. The Hawks have slowly caught up there, but it's their offense that's exploded of late. Monmouth had just six games with 70 points or more in their first 20 games; they've had six in their last 11.
"They play with a great freedom and confidence about them, where guys are aggressive offensively and I think that's just continued to develop as the year's gone on," Toole said.
Monmouth shot the ball extraordinarily well against LIU, hitting on 57 percent of their shots and getting a rare performance from Mike Myers-Keitt from beyond the arc. Myers-Keitt hit 5-of-7 three-point shots, and he's made 11 of his 27 three-point field goals this year against LIU.
Robert Morris didn't have Russell Johnson the last time against Monmouth, and Johnson had been a spark the past few games in his return from injuries. Even against Quinnipiac, Johnson was one of three players - along with Velton Jones and Mike McFadden - cited by Toole as playing with the proper urgency.
What Johnson can do and what holes he can fill might be something Toole looks at in preparation for Thursday's game. Though Robert Morris has seen Monmouth twice, Toole said the familiarity likely won't have an impact.
"I think it's hard, regardless. You're talking about conference playoffs where you're playing for your life," Toole said. "Obviously having seeing them twice, you might have a little more familiarity with the team. But seeing them back in December is almost like seeing them last season, so I don't know how much we're going to get out of the first game."
Given the way the NEC Tournament is looking right now after Saturday's results, even the January game might not be much help.
Welcome to the 2012 NEC Tournament, where all bets are off.
^ Shouts to MvP for the sick sig. GFX TEAM BACK
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Woy, is there anyway i can watch the game? is there a RMU or Monmouth stream? i'm sure ESPN3 won't show the game any love
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I'd say to check firstrowsports.eu right before game time (7:00 EST). Other than that, I don't know what to tell ya cause I haven't been told of any stations broadcasting it.
^ Shouts to MvP for the sick sig. GFX TEAM BACK
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None of the NEC games are on firstrow tonight...so Woy you need to find us a stream. Or stream it from your phone.Comment
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The Colonialwagon hits the trails at 7pm. Be there.Comment
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RMU getting a big game from Lucky Jones with his 13 pts at half. RMU up 44-36 at halfComment
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CORON BUCKETS
8-11 from 3 pt range, 25 pts..leads RMU to a 87-68 victory
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Robert Morris 87, Monmouth 69
The Colonials tied the school record with 16 three-pointers and red-shirt sophomore Coron Williams was one away from the school record with eight trifectas, as RMU dominated the Hawks.
Colonials leading scorer Velton Jones had just 12 points, but eight within the first two minutes off back-to-back four-point plays. RMU jumped out to a 11-1 lead early, but Monmouth cut it to 11-8 after the first media timeout.
Freshman Lucky Jones hit back-to-back three-pointers near the end of the first half and had a old-fashioned three-point play before that to give the Colonials some breathing room in what was a pretty close first half. Lucky had 16 on the game.
Monmouth brought 15 students to the game and half of them were your typical Jersey sluts. The one had a screeching loud voice that annoyed everyone on foul shots and when the game was in hand, she was called a "jersey slut" and "Snooki's sister" by our student section.
Walk-on Treadwell Lewis entered the game with two minutes to go and hit a bank shot from the right elbow, sending the drunken crowd into a frenzy.
RMU will travel to Wagner on Sunday for a noon tip-off. Quinnipiac will play LIU in the night cap.
Instagram photo 45 minutes before tip:
^ Shouts to MvP for the sick sig. GFX TEAM BACK
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^ Shouts to MvP for the sick sig. GFX TEAM BACK
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Seems like you have a fan in Colonel Angus, Woy.
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