Colonials Corner

As ungainly as “Rivalry Week” appears to be for the Northeast Conference, it could quietly be a blessing for Robert Morris. If the Colonials can take care of business in the home-and-home series with in-state rival St. Francis (Pa.), they’re in position to potentially reap the benefits of some heated contests across the conference.

Second place Quinnipiac, the unquestioned top contender to Robert Morris’ hold on the conference, has to deal with 5-5 Sacred Heart. The Pioneers have been inconsistent in conference play, but SHU is the only other team besides QU and RMU to have a winning overall record. Every other team in the conference has a losing overall record. The Pioneers will certainly be dangerous.

Three teams then are tied for third place at 6-4 – Monmouth, St. Francis (N.Y.), and Long Island. The two Brooklyn teams play each other and almost seem destined for a split. Monmouth will take on 5-5 Fairleigh Dickinson.

If Robert Morris takes care of business, they could be clear of the main pack in the NEC by several games, increasing their chances of locking up the #1 seed in the NEC Tournament. But that all centers on the Colonials taking care of business.

This is not the St. Francis Red Flash of old. While Robert Morris was sweeping Long Island and St. Francis (N.Y.), the Frankies were doing the same, only in reverse order. However, Don Friday’s bunch has struggled from time to time. They were swept on their Brooklyn trip by the same teams they just swept, and they went a meager 1-3 against Monmouth and FDU.

Robert Morris has not played back-to-back games against the same team since they finished the 2005-2006 season with a 2 point loss to Mount St. Mary’s, then won the opening game of the NEC Tournament against the Mount on Jeremy Chappell’s last second shot.

Records: Robert Morris (14-8, 9-1 NEC); St. Francis PA (7-14, 5-5 NEC).

Tip off: 7:30pm

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, 190, Sr) G Mezie Nwgiwe (6′4, 195, Sr.), G Karon Abraham (5′9, 150, Fr.), G Velton Jones (6′0, 170, rFr)

RMU Leaders: Points – Karon Abraham 12.9/game, Rob Robinson 9.7/game; Rebounds – Rob Robinson 5.6/game, Russell Johnson 5.4/game; Assists – Mezie Nwigwe 2.8/game, Velton Jones 2.6/game; Steals – Jones 1.3/game, Nwigwe 1.2/game

Projected St. Francis PA starters: F Kurt Hoffman (6’6, 210, Sr.), F Will Felder (6’6, 192, Fr.), G/F Devin Sweetney (6’6, 180, Sr.), G Sorena Orendi (6’1, 180, Jr.), G Chris Johnson (5’10, 168, Fr.)

St. Francis PA Leaders: Points – Devin Sweetney 16.3/game, Cedric Latimer 9.3/game; Rebounds – Sweetney 7.7/game, Will Felder 4.7/game; Assists – Chris Johnson 2.9/game, Sweetney 2.1/game; Steals – Johnson 1.2/game, Sweetney 1.1/game