“They’re all good teams when you get to the tournament. We’ve got a tough team in Robert Morris that’s got a lot of confidence, won a lot of games. They play hard.” The message from Alabama’s Nate Oats during the pre-NCAA press conference was clear. He hinted that he would not take the Robert Morris Colonials men’s basketball team lightly when they finally meet a few hours from now. The blockbuster March Madness has kicked off to an electrifying start as St John’s and Auburn’s wins display what they are. But others like the North Carolina Tar Heels dropped some unexpected moments to take the win for themselves. But it all depends on how fit your boys are!
Bearing that in mind, should we expect another surprise and wait in anticipation as Robert Morris steals the win right from Alabama’s nose? Not really, especially in light of the overwhelming odds.
According to KenPom Rankings, Alabama currently ranks as the 4th best team amongst the collegiate franchises, thanks to its offense being ranked the 4th best, and its defense the 32nd best. In terms of efficiency rating, it holds a +29.85 stat. Meanwhile, Robert Morris ranks 139th overall. All because it reportedly possesses the 171st-ranked offense, and 134th-ranked defense.
By the end of the 2024-25 season, the Crimson Tide had a 25-8 record, which earned them the 3rd seed in the SEC. In turn, the team got the 2nd seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Meanwhile, the Colonials finished first in the Horizon League with a 26-8 record. On top of that, they also won the Conference regular season championship and the Conference tournament championship. These records certainly speak well for the Colonials and solidified them as a serious opponent.
While previous wins slightly favor Robert Morris, the Crimson Tide reportedly possess a frenetic offense that will look to overwhelm their rival right from the start.
The starting five for Alabama can boast players like point guard Mark Sears, shooting guard Labaron Philon, small forward Chris Youngblood, power forward Grant Nelson, and Center Clifford Omoruyi. Grant Nelson might end up being replaced by Jarin Stevenson in the starting five. After all, Nelson is a game-time decision, since he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained during the SEC Tournament semifinals against the Florida Gators. Meanwhile, the starting five for the Colonials can be Amarion Dickerson, Alvaro Folgueiras, Josh Omojafo, D.J. Smith, and Kam Woods. But who brings what to the teams?
Mark Sears is the player to watch out for during the game. Sure, his numbers are down from his season run last year. However, the Alabama guard still made a mark and averaged 18.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists throughout 33 games in the recent season. Along with high scoring, other things the player brings with him include the ability to penetrate and find an open teammate. Another is the NCAA Tournament experience, as Sears has played in 10 tournament games, including helping fuel Alabama’s run to the Final Four last year. That’s right. Final Four!
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) drives to the basket Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
Meanwhile, Kam Woods is the danger Robert Morris provides. Unlike Sears, however, he averaged only 15 points per game in the recent season. With both players expected to take the assignments on each other, Woods’ ability to be a reported ‘stellar on-ball threat and a blur with the ball in his hands’ provides Sears with some worthwhile competition.
The Crimson has a disadvantage because it ranked 295th in the country in rebounds allowed per game (36.7). Without top rebounder Grant Nelson (7.6 rpg), things could get much worse for them.
Another thing that will make a difference is Player Heights. Robert Morris has guards in the starting lineup that are reportedly 6-foot-2 or shorter. Sure, the Colonials have Alvaro Folgueiras, who stands at an impressive 6-foot-9. However, when comparing that to Clifford Omoruyi and Nelson, or even Jarin Stevenson, all of whom are 6-foot-11, height can make a difference in this game.
Due to these factors, the Alabama Crimson Tide squad holds slightly better odds to win against the Colonials. As highlighted by Fox Sports, the Sportsbook Line for the Crimson Tide is at -22.5, indicating favorable odds. On top of that, the over/under is 166.5. This may be why the Colonials are focusing on weakening the rival squad’s offense by placing special emphasis on just one player.
Andrew Toole indicates slowing Mark Sears as a top priority: “Just constantly be aware of him”
Mark Sears is a threat, and the Robert Morris Colonials squad knows it. Head coach Andrew Toole knew it for quite a while. After all, when Sears was a freshman at Ohio University, he stood out to Toole. The HC recently recalled that memory and stated, “We were like, man, this guy is pretty good. (Now), obviously, he’s at Alabama.”
Toole made it clear that his team is already aware of Sears’ ability to penetrate and find an open teammate, and might look to use that against him. Other than that, without revealing too much, he said removing the focus from Sears is something his team cannot afford.
“As cognizant as you have to be of him as a shooter and a playmaker, he can really just put two hands on the ball and move it quickly on time with the decisions that he makes,” said Toole. “You’ve got to just constantly be aware of him. And in talking to some SEC coaches, one of the things they said, which I thought was amazing, is they have some people when shots go up, when they shoot a shot not by him, they will have guys go and find him because he gets so many kick-out 3s. Just every layer of your defense is going to be stressed by him at all times.”
MARK SEARS RIPS THEIR HEART OUT IN THEIR OWN BUILDING
ROLL TIDE!! pic.twitter.com/LVXK4sxqSd
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) March 8, 2025
The Alabama Crimson Tide or the Robert Morris Colonials? Who will you be rooting for? Let us know in the comments.
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