Generally, for an NEC team to play a competitive game against a top tier program, the NEC team needs to have a great night shooting from the outside, and the top tier team needs to have an off night shooting from the outside. That was not the case last evening; Syracuse made 13 of 26 three point shots, while RMU made 6-23 three point shots. The top tier programs generally have superior inside players, and Syracuse is no exception. When the top tier team is having an excellent night shooting from the outside, combined with the superior inside players, it is just too much for even a very good NEC level team to stop.

With that said, there are a few positive items to pull out of the game stats:

Velton Jones playing in his first official college game had 15 points and 4 steals.

Karon Abraham, a true freshman, proved, despite his lack of height, that he can complete at any level. He scored 13 points. Look for him to be a consistent player in double figures, plus being a very aggressive defensive player.

Lijah Thompson, a true freshman, scored 5 points, had 5 rebounds, and an assist and a steal in only 7 minutes of play.

Brad Piehl, another true freshman, played 16 minutes and had a couple of points and 3 rebounds.

Russell Johnson, playing in his first official college game, was in the starting lineup. Johnson did not have a good night, but is a very talented player who should greatly improve as the season goes along.

Coron Williams, the last remaining newcomer, and true freshman, got in the game and had a couple of rebounds. Although, he missed his only two shots taken, both from behind the three point line, he is a very talented shooter.

Note – it seems there will be no players red shirted this year, since all of the newcomers were in the game.

Also, Rob Robinson had a double/double last night, 10 points and 11 rebounds, a nice accomplishment against a Big East power.

This is a team that clearly has the ability to get better game by game this year. Penn State will be another game against a team from a top tier conference, but the Colonials may have already faced their toughest opponent of the season.

Go Colonials!