The RMU Thread

[Woy]

Fairfield 67, Robert Morris 61

The Colonials' season comes to an end, as they couldn't pull off a 15-point comeback in the closing minutes. Fairfield's a mighty fine team and could be the favorite to win the CIT title next week.

Sophomore Mike McFadden broke out and played his best career game with 20 points and seven boards. Velton Jones added 12 points (most of them coming within the last four minutes), but the Colonials missed a lot of easy shots around the basket because of the Stags' size and only made 12 of 24 free-throws. If they hit half of their FT misses, we could be talking about a completely different outcome.

Like I said, Fairfield flexed their size advantage all night. Maurice Barrow led the Stags with 19 and nine boards, former Boston College transfer Rakim Sanders had 14 and 10, while seven footer Ryan Olander added nine.

Despite the loss, this season has been one of the best in school history for RMU as they tied their season record in wins with 26, led the nation in road wins with 14 and advanced more than two rounds into a post-season tournament for the first time in school history (even though it was the CIT).

The Colonials lose one senior to graduation (F Lawrence Bridges) and finish the 2011-12 campaign at 26-11. Fairfield will host Mercer on Saturday in the first CIT Final Four game.

[Woy]

Official release from #RMU: Karon Abraham dismissed due to a violation of team and university rules.

Andy Toole in release: “We’re disappointed that Karon will no longer be part of our program...but we hold our student-athletes to extremely high standards, not only on the court but off the court, as well."

Three strikes and you're out. What an idiot.

I'll try to find out the exact rule or whatever he broke as soon as I can.

[Rudi]

Niggas will be niggas

[MvP]

Monmouth is now the unanimous favorite to win the NEC next season

[Woy]

http://robertmorris.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1348183

When Karon Abraham was suspended in the spring for his second alcohol-related offense in six months, Robert Morris head coach Andrew Toole said Abraham's next slip would be his last.

Monday, Toole dismissed Abraham from the program for violation of team and university rules.

"In the best interests of our program we've decided to dismiss Karon Abraham from the Robert Morris University men's basketball team," Toole said in a release. "We're disappointed that Karon will no longer be part of our program, but we hold our student-athletes to extremely high standards, not only on the court but off the court, as well."

Public Allegheny County court documents filed Thursday, March 22 show that Abraham was recently cited in Coraopolis for multiple traffic violations, including failure to stop at a red signal and driving while operating privileges were suspended or revoked.

Though neither Toole nor Robert Morris University indicated in the release that Thursday's traffic citations were the final straw, Toole essentially had a zero tolerance policy in place. If Abraham slipped up even a little or failed to do what was asked of him during the suspension, he was gone. The traffic violations would constitute a violation of that agreement.

Abraham announced his departure via Twitter, writing, "Damn its official! I will have to take my talents to another University next year! It was fun while it lasted RMU! Much love!"

Abraham is expected to transfer. Since Abraham did not play this season and wasn't on scholarship, he would have two years of eligibility remaining should he transfer. He averaged 13.7 points per game in his two years at Robert Morris while shooting 43 percent from three-point range.

Toole could not be reached for additional comment.

In better news, RMU will be playing in the Pre-Season NIT next season.

[Woy]

Freshmen Brandon Herman and Darren Washington will reportedly transfer. The Colonials now have three scholarships available for the 2012-13 season.

Herman was a solid contributor off the bench but didn't do one thing particularly well. Washington rode the bench all season and never really showed any flashes in the games he did play in.

[Rudi]

Things falling apart out in Colonial land.

[Woy]

Things falling apart out in Colonial land.

False. Washington had a very limited future here, while Herman won't be missed much with our depth behind V and C. The two scholarships that open up from this, along with the one from the Karon situation, can be used to pick up another immediate impact forward (Jerome Frink of St. Anthony's (NJ) is a current target who had 26/12 in the State title game) along with another shooting guard (Lincoln Davis possibly? We're finalists along with Boston College and Boston U) and big guy who has more of a skillset than previous recruits Washington and Deion Turman had.

Not to mention, Dan and Bobby Hurley are at Rhode Island now and there's hot rumors of Duquesne landing LIU-Brooklyn head coach Jim Ferry to lead their basketball program. Things are just fine here in Moon Township.

[Woy]

Joe Lunardi has RMU as a #14 seed in his first 2013 bracketology bracket, playing Syracuse.

[ralaw]

I didn't know Lunardi did brackets this early.....that's pretty sad.

[Woy]

I didn't know Lunardi did brackets this early.....that's pretty sad.

Bracketology never stops!

[Pitty]

I don't think Joe realizes exactly how bad the Big East will be next year. I think Pitt is going to be in the top 3 talent wise, and that's saying a lot after last season.

[Woy]

RMU gets a commitment from JUCO guard Karvel Anderson from Glen Oaks CC. He averaged 24.9 PPG last season as a sophomore and will slide into a back-up role behind Coron Williams for the Colonials in 2012-13.

Two scholarships remain.

[Woy]

Before the signing period ended, the Colonials picked up another JUCO player - local boy Vaughn Morgan. Morgan is an athletic 6'6 forward who will find time immediately in Coach Toole's rotation.

In other news, Velton Jones was named the 6th best mid-major guard in the country according to Jon Rothstein: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/05/...h-next-season/

6. VELTON JONES, ROBERT MORRIS

THE SKINNY: Built more like a fullback than a basketball player, Jones has anchored the Colonials during Andy Toole’s first two seasons as a Division One head coach. The 6-foot, broad shouldered guard may play in the NEC but he’s hands down one of the strongest guards in all of college basketball. His production will determine if Robert Morris can get back to where they haven’t been since 2010 — the field of 68

[Woy]

It's been announced that RMU will play Lehigh to kick off the Pittsburgh region of the Pre-Season NIT. Pitt will host Fordham and the winners will play each other as well as the losers.