An early look at Alabama Basketball's First Round Robert Morris, suggests the Horizon League Champion presents a couple of challenges for the Crimson Tide. The 26-8 Colonials won the Horizon League double this season, with strong offensive rebounding and a trio of good three-point shooters. The Colonials don't load up on threes. Four players average between 3.1 and five attempts per game. Three of them are sharpshooters averaging 39%, 40.2%, and 42.3%. For the season, Robert Morris as a team matches the Crimson Tide at 35%.
Robert Morris opponents have averaged 33.6% in making threes, which is No. 184 for all Division One teams. For comparison, in 11 games against the best three-point defending teams on the Alabama schedule, the Crimson Tide has averaged 33.6%. The 11 games were against teams ranked No. 1, No. 7, No. 10, No. 23. No. 34, No. 36, and No. 82 in three-point defense. Alabama won seven of the 11 games. There is no reason to expect Robert Morris to hold Alabama's long-range shooters close to 33.6%.
The most impressive stat for Robert Morris is offensive rebounding. They are ranked No. 50 among Div. 1 teams at 12.44 ORBs per game. While Alabama basketball insiders are saying the Crimson Tide staff expects Grant Nelson's injury to not be a season-ending one, it is possible Nelson will not be available on Friday. Nelson is the Crimson Tide's leading defensive rebounder. If he sits, Cliff Omoruyi and Mo Dioubate will have to produce on the boards. Alabama has been good on the offensive glass, ranked at No. 34. The Crimson Tide has four wins this season against teams ranked No. 31 and higher in offensive boards; one of which was against Texas A&M. The Aggies are No. 1 in college basketball for the stat.
Alabama Basketball and Robert Morris SOS Gap
The primary reason to discount the statistical strengths of Robert Morris is their Strength of Schedule (SOS). The Colonials have an SOS of No. 303, as calculated by Ken Pomeroy. Pomeroy calculates Alabama's SOS as the toughest in college basketball. Because of that significant difference, measuring the two teams by comparing stats is almost meaningless.
For Alabama basketball fans searching for a reason to worry, Friday's game time will suffice. Mo Dioubate has another two weeks of Ramadan fasting. On Friday in Cleveland, he will have to wake up before sunrise to eat. At least the tipoff is at 11:40 AM CST, instead of an afternoon game.
Note: Stats for the post were provided by Ken Pomeroy, the NCAA, and Sports Reference.