Colonials Corner

Senior PG Jimmy Langhurst is out for the year with a knee injury.

Robert Morris beat Youngstown State 72-67 Wednesday night to stop a two-game losing streak, but it’s another loss that has shaken the Colonials.

Senior captain and starting point guard Jimmy Langhurst is out for the year after injuring his knee in practice just after Christmas. No word on what exactly Langhurst did to the knee, as far is it being a specific ligament or meniscus tear, but this could conceivably end his career at Robert Morris.

He does have one thing working for him: The injury happen just 11 games into the season, and Langhurst played all of 21 minutes his freshman year. It’s possible – but again, far from likely – that the NCAA will grant Langhurst a medical redshirt and allow him to return for a fifth year next year. Robert Morris will no doubt petition the NCAA for an extra year, and they’ll likely push the fact that Langhurst essentially did not play his freshman year.

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Welcome back. Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and is ready to ring in the New Year. The Colonials look to close out 2009 with a win, preferably with star forward Rob Robinson freshly returned from his one game suspension with a renewed sense of purpose.

They’ll head to Mike Rice’s old stomping grounds and take on another Horizon League opponent, Youngstown State. They’ll also get another look at former Colonial Kelvin Bright, who now starts for the Penguins.

Robinson should be in the starting lineup, but the next question is who else remains in Rice’s rotation. I would expect Velton Jones to return to the starting lineup as well, as a sore leg probably had more to do with him coming off the bench the last game than anything else. I’ll also say that Russell Johnson’s 11 point performance probably earned him another start. So the lineup is pure conjecture.

Records: Robert Morris (4-7, 2-0 NEC); Youngstown State (5-6, 0-3 Horizon).

Tip off: 7:00pm

Television/Radio: WPIT 730 AM

Web: rmucolonials.com, WPIT’s online media player, and follow the stats via your favorite college hoops site

Projected RMU starters: F Rob Robinson (6′8, 215, Sr.), F Dallas Green (6′8, 210, Sr.), F Russell Johnson (6′6, 180, rFr) G Jimmy Langhurst (5′11, 185, Sr.), G Velton Jones (6′0, 170, So.)

RMU Leaders: Points – Karon Abraham 10.3/game, Velton Jones 8.3/game; Rebounds – Rob Robinson 5.4/game, Russell Johnson 5.4/game; Assists – Mezie Nwigwe 2.8/game, Jones 2.1/game; Steals – Jones 1.5/game, Johnson 1.1/game

Projected Youngstown State starters: F Sirlester Martin (6′7, 210, Sr.), F Eddie D’Haiti (6′8, 215, Fr.), G Vytas Sulskis (6′6, 200, Jr.), G Kelvin Bright (6′4, 185, Sr.), G DeAndre Mays (6′2, 185, Sr)

Youngstown State Leaders: Points – DeAndre Mays 12.2/game, Sirlester Martin 11.5/game; Rebounds – Martin 5.4/game, Dallas Blocker 4.5/game; Assists –Mays 2.7/game, Kelvin Bright 2.1/game; Steals – Mays and Blocker 1.5/game

Happy Holidays from Colonials Corner. We’ll be back in a week with coverage of the men’s basketball team taking on Youngstown State. No idea where the original image is from, but thanks to whoever put it up.

With the loss of Sherrod Evers and the overall questions surrounding its receiving corps, the Robert Morris football team is searching for a top flight receiver or two to add to its young offense. The demise of the Northeastern University football program could provide an answer.

Colonials Corner has learned that Robert Morris is courting rising sophomore wide receiver Jordan Batts. A source said the 5′11, 170 pound Florida native visited RMU last weekend. Batts spent last year at Northeastern, where he led the team with 49 receptions and 432 receiving yards. He was also named a Northeastern Co-Rookie of the Year. For comparison, Sherrod Evers had 47 catches for 668 yards for RMU last year.

The Huskies went 3-8 last year and earlier this month the University decided to end the program. That left Batts and the rest of the football players without a team. Since the football program is ending, Batts and any other transfer will not have to sit out the standard transfer year and he would be eligible to play immediately.

The source went on to explain that while Batts is from Florida – which is a standard RMU recruiting area – he reportedly does have some Pittsburgh ties, which could possibly work in RMU’s favor. After some digging, Colonials Corner learned that Batts told the Huntington News (the Northeastern University student newspaper) that he grew up in Pittsburgh before moving to Florida as a child, and that when he was originally searching for colleges, he wanted to move back to the Northeast.

The source also said that Batts has been compared athletically to former Robert Morris receiver Tyjuan Massey.

More as this develops.

Mike Rice shook up his lineup, benched his star forward, and still couldn’t come up with the right combination for a Robert Morris win.

The Colonials committed 19 turnovers – including 7 on their first 9 possessions – and saw a comeback fizzle short again as they lost to Kent State 71-57.

Robert Morris played without senior forward Rob Robinson, who served a team-imposed one game suspension for what was described as “conduct detrimental to the team.” Robinson’s absence, and perhaps the team’s poor play of late, forced a new look starting lineup to take the floor. Freshman Brad Piehl started in Robinson’s place, while Velton Jones and Mezie Nwigwe also found themselves on the bench. Rice started the game with Piehl, Dallas Green, and Russell Johnson up front and Jimmy Langhurst joined by Gary Wallace in the backcourt.

Freshman Karon Abraham had 13 points to lead RMU, while Johnson chipped in 11. Ten Colonials played (all but Robinson, Khalif Foster, and freshman Coron Williams), and all played at least 15 minutes.

RMU eventually pulled within a basket in the second half but couldn’t find a way to get on top. As Rice told Jim Equels, Jr. of the Beaver County Times: ““This team has to find ways to be successful. We’re not there yet. Besides the turnovers, I still like what we did. We just have to find some consistency. This team is very fragile right now.”

For more, here’s Equels’ coverage at the Times, Michael Sanserino’s coverage at the Post-Gazette, and Paul Schofield’s coverage at the Tribune-Review.

The box score is after the jump.

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Quick and easy one today – the final game before the holiday break. We’ll have a brief recap late Tuesday night, and then we’ll be going on vacation until next week. Robert Morris needs this win if they want to finish the 2009 portion of this season with a .500 record (the final game of ‘09 is at Youngstown State on the 30th).

It won’t be easy. Kent State walks in with a 6-4 record out of the MAC, four players averaging double figures in scoring, and lots of postseason experience.

It should also be noted that for the first time since the first game or two, the Colonials finally have a player in double figures in scoring. The fact that it’s a 5′9 freshman guard probably explains some of the issues surrounding Robert Morris right now.

Records: Robert Morris (4-6, 2-0 NEC); Kent State (6-4, 0-0 MAC).

Tip off: 7:00pm

Television/Radio: WPIT 730 AM

Web: rmucolonials.com, WPIT’s online media player, and follow the stats via your favorite college hoops site

Projected RMU starters: F Rob Robinson (6′8, 215, Sr.), F Dallas Green (6′8, 210, Sr.), G Jimmy Langhurst (5′11, 185, Sr.), G Mezie Nwigwe (6′4, 195, Sr.), G Velton Jones (6′0, 170, So.)

RMU Leaders: Points – Karon Abraham 10.0/game, Velton Jones 8.6/game; Rebounds – Rob Robinson 5.4/game, Russell Johnson 5.3/game; Assists – Mezie Nwigwe 2.5/game, Jones 2.2/game; Steals – Jones 1.7/game, Johnson 1.2/game

Projected Kent State starters: F Justin Greene (6′8, 230, So.), F Frank Henry-Ala (6′5, 210, Sr. ),  G Chris Singletary (6′4, 220, Sr.), G Mike McKee (6′5, 190, Sr.), G Rodriguez Sherman (6′2, 185, Jr.)

Kent State Leaders: Points – Rodriguez Sherman 12.7/game, Justin Greene 12.2/game; Rebounds – Anthony Simpson 5.8/game, Sherman 5.2/game; Assists –Chris Singletary 4.0/game, Sherman 3.7/game; Steals – Singletary 2.3/game, Sherman 1.9/game

Dallas Green and Rob Robinson defend a shot by Kellen Brand shot. Courtesy of rmucolonials.com

For the duration of his time as Robert Morris head coach, Mike Rice never worried about his offense. He preached the idea that whatever happened offensively, defense was going to win his team games. Play well on defense, shut down the opposition, dictate the tempo, and your offense will come.

Every time, it worked. Until now.

Robert Morris shot just 26% from the field and Appalachian State rolled the Colonials 65-52 at the Sewall Center Saturday night.

“Once we started missing shots and started missing open shots, we started forcing things,” Rice said. “We really didn’t respond the right way.”

Appalachian State had something to do with the poor shooting night, forcing the Colonials to take outside shots because of the presence of some wide bodies in the paint. Andre Williamson (6′7, 225) and Isaac Butts (6′10, 285) each had two blocks and combined with 6′6, 245 Josh Hunter for 27 of the Mountaineers 39 rebounds.

“Every time we got the ball down low, we wouldn’t go up strong enough,” Rice explained. “It kind of effected the way we defended a little bit and our energy level. If you just do some of the small things before that that we preach, you have a chance.”

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The final two home games of 2009 kickoff on Saturday as Robert Morris hosts Appalachian State. The Colonials conclude 2009 with a home game Monday against Kent State and a road game on the 30th at Youngstown State.

Appalachian State is out of the Southern Conference and coming off a 13-18 season that led to the rehiring of former coach Buzz Peterson. The Mountaineers are 6-4 but just 1-3 on the road. They do hold the all-time series edge 2-0, with the last meeting coming in 2000.

Location: Sewall Center

Records: Robert Morris (4-5, 2-0 NEC); Appalachian State (6-4, 1-1 SoCon).

Tip off: 7:00pm

Television/Radio: WPIT 730 AM

Web: rmucolonials.com, WPIT’s online media player, and follow the stats via your favorite college hoops site

Projected RMU starters: F Rob Robinson (6′8, 215, Sr.), F Dallas Green (6′8, 210, Sr.), G Jimmy Langhurst (5′11, 185, Sr.), G Mezie Nwigwe (6′4, 195, Sr.), G Velton Jones (6′0, 170, So.)

RMU Leaders: Points – Karon Abraham 9.4/game, Velton Jones 9.0/game; Rebounds – Rob Robinson 5.6/game, Dallas Green 4.9/game; Assists – Mezie Nwigwe 2.6/game, Jones 2.3/game; Steals – Jones 1.8/game, Russell Johnson 1.3/game

Projected Appalachian State starters: C Isaac Butts (6′10, 285, Jr.),  F Andre Williamson (6′7, 225, So.), G Jeremi Booth (6′5, 205, Jr.), G Donald Sims (6′1, 170, Jr.), G Kellen Brand (6′1, 185, Sr.)

Appalachian State Leaders: Points – Donald Sims 17.5/game, Isaac Butts 10.7/game; Rebounds – Butts 8.6/game, Andre Williamson 6.1/game; Assists –Ryann Abraham 3.2/game, Kellen Brand 2.5/game; Steals – Abraham 1.4/game, Brand 1.1/game

Dallas Green rejects a shot from CSU's D'Aundray Brown. Green had 7 points and 6 rebounds. Photo courtesy of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer

December is quickly becoming much kinder to the Colonials than November was. Robert Morris dumped Cleveland State 78-70 in Cleveland on Tuesday behind more balanced scoring, improving the Colonials to 4-5, including 3-1 in December. That only loss was a nail biter to Duquesne on Saturday.

Up 34-32 at the break, the Colonials used a 15-1 run to break the game open midway through the second half.

“Any time you beat a Horizon League team on their home floor, it’s pretty good,” Mike Rice told the Cleveland News-Herald. “We did this as a team.”

Indeed, they did, and it was represented by one stat: Ten Colonials played, ten Colonials scored. They were led by Gary Wallace, who had a season high 14 off the bench. Russell Johnson had 9, Brad Piehl and Karon Abraham had 8 each. The Colonials also backed off the three pointer, going a quiet 5 of 7 from beyond the arc (Karon Abraham had 10 3 point shots alone against Duquesne).

Robert Morris overcame an early 15-9 deficit thanks to their bench, which outscored the Vikings 45-11 in the contest.

“The key to the game was responding to their first five minutes,” Rice told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

RMU hit 53.7% of their shots, and enjoyed most of the second half in the bonus as Cleveland State had 15 fouls in the frame. RMU went 29 of 39 from the charity stripe.

The Colonials will host 5-4 Appalachian State of the Southern Conference on Saturday at the Sewall Center.

Box score is after the jump.

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Robert Morris faces Cleveland State (4-6) in a non-conference game Tuesday night in Cleveland. RMU leads the series 5-4 but the two teams haven’t faced each other since 1982-1983.

Cleveland State is the second Horizon League team the Colonials will play (Detroit was the first). They will also play Youngstown State. The CSU Vikings are in a similar position as the Colonials, as the Vikings were an NCAA Tournament team last year – even upsetting Wake Forest in the first round – only to struggle with three of their top five scorers from last year gone.

This may be the first in a stretch of games where Karon Abraham gets more looks offensively. Abraham was named the NEC Rookie of the Week for his 18 point, 6 3-pointer performance against Duquesne. He and Velton Jones stepped up against Duquesne, and Mike Rice said that if Abraham continues to improve and continues to step up, Rice will have to design some stuff for him to get him the ball more often.

Location: Henry J. Goodman Arena, Cleveland

Records: Robert Morris (3-5, 2-0 NEC); Cleveland State (4-6, 0-2 Horizon).

Tip off: 7:00pm

Television/Radio: WPIT 730 AM

Web: rmucolonials.com, WPIT’s online media player, and follow the stats via your favorite college hoops site

Projected RMU starters: F Rob Robinson (6′8, 215, Sr.), F Dallas Green (6′8, 210, Sr.), G Jimmy Langhurst (5′11, 185, Sr.), G Mezie Nwigwe (6′4, 195, Sr.), G Velton Jones (6′0, 170, So.)

RMU Leaders: Points – Karon Abraham 9.6/game, Velton Jones 9.3/game; Rebounds – Rob Robinson 5.6/game, Russell Johnson 5.0/game; Assists – Mezie Nwigwe 2.5/game, Jones 2.3/game; Steals – Jones 1.9/game, Johnson 1.4/game

Projected Cleveland State starters: F Aaron Pogue (6′9, 275 So.), F Nigel Ajere (6′6, 225, So.), G D’Aundray Brown (6′4, 185, Jr.), G Norris Cole (6′2, 175, Jr.), G Trevon Harmon (6′1, 170, So.)

Cleveland State Leaders: Points – Norris Cole 15.6/game, Trevon Harmon 11.1/game; Rebounds – Aaron Pogue 6.4/game, D’Aundray Brown 4.2/game; Assists –Cole 3.5/game, Harmon 1.8/game; Steals – Cole and Brown, 2.3/game