RMU releases tough basketball schedule

Robert Morris University released the 2019-2020 men’s basketball schedule on Thursday and it is arguably one of the toughest in school history.

Not only will the Colonials open the new Peoples Court at UPMC Events Center against Pitt on Nov. 12, the schedule features games at Marshall (Nov. 7), Notre Dame (Nov. 9), Toledo (Nov. 16), Illinois-Chicago (Nov. 21), Marquette (Nov. 23), Florida Golf Coast (Dec. 7) and UNLV (Dec. 21).

Robert Morris will also play host to Geneva (Nov. 27) and Central Michigan (Dec. 17).

“In addition to our first game against Pitt, we’re extremely excited about our first season of hosting games at Peoples Court at the UPMC Events Center,” RMU coach Andrew Toole said in a release. “Our student-athletes couldn’t be prouder of the new facility and are excited about having a great home-court atmosphere in the first season.”

The Colonials are participating in the 2019 Men Against Breast Cancer Invitational along with Marshall, Notre Dame, Howard and Toledo. The Howard game will be played at Toledo (Nov. 15).

Robert Morris will also have road games at Cleveland State (Nov. 30) and Youngstown State (Dec. 4).

RMU’s nonconference schedule includes six first-time opponents. Merrimack, a newcomer to the Northeast Conference, is moving up from Division II.

The Colonials, who were 18-17 and played in the CollegeInsiders.com postseason tournament, open conference play Jan. 2 at Central Connecticut State.

Nonconference

Date, Opponent (2018-19 record)

Nov. 7 at Marshall (23-14)

Nov. 9 at Notre Dame (14-19)

Nov. 12 Pitt (14-19)

Nov. 15 vs. Howard (17-17) at Toledo

Nov. 16 at Toledo (25-8)

Nov, 21 at Illinois-Chicago (16-16)

Nov. 23 at Marquette (24-10)

Nov. 27 Geneva (9-17)

Nov. 30 at Cleveland State (10-21)

Dec. 4 at Youngstown State (12-20)

Dec, 7 at Florida Golf Coast (14-18)

Dec. 17 Central Michigan (23-12)

Dec. 21 at UNLV (17-14)

Northeast Conference

Jan. 2 at Central Connecticut State (11-20)

Jan. 4 at Merrimack (22-10)

Jan. 9 St. Francis Brooklyn (17-16)

Jan. 11 Wagner (13-17)

Jan, 18 Merrimack (22-10)

Jan. 20 Sacred Heart (15-17)

Jan. 23 at St. Francis Brooklyn (17-16)

Jan. 25 at Long Island (16-16)

Jan. 30 Bryant (10-20)

Feb. 1 Central Connecticut State (11-20)

Feb. 6 at Wagner (13-17)

Feb. 8 at Sacred Heart (15-17)

Feb. 13 at Mount St. Mary’s (9-22)

Feb. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson (21-14)

Feb. 18 at Saint Francis, Pa. (18-15)

Feb. 21 Mount St. Mary’s (9-22)

Feb. 23 at Fairleigh Dickinson (21-14)

Feb. 29 Saint Francis, Pa. (18-15)