RMU doing well

[Sean Miller Fan]

Finally having a good season in the Horizon. Won 4 in a row to put them at 6-4 and 14-7. The Horizon seems very balanced so they would seem to have a realistic shot of winning the conference tournament.

Pitt needs to get Alvaro Folguieras out of the portal, one of the nation's leading rebounders. He is from Spain so maybe the twins can help. It's funny how leagues like the Horizon are the new JUCO.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Finally having a good season in the Horizon. Won 4 in a row to put them at 6-4 and 14-7. The Horizon seems very balanced so they would seem to have a realistic shot of winning the conference tournament.

Pitt needs to get Alvaro Folguieras out of the portal, one of the nation's leading rebounders. He is from Spain so maybe the twins can help. It's funny how leagues like the Horizon are the new JUCO.

Bobby Mo used to be a Juco, so there you go.

 

[DT_PITT]

Finally having a good season in the Horizon. Won 4 in a row to put them at 6-4 and 14-7. The Horizon seems very balanced so they would seem to have a realistic shot of winning the conference tournament.

Pitt needs to get Alvaro Folguieras out of the portal, one of the nation's leading rebounders. He is from Spain so maybe the twins can help. It's funny how leagues like the Horizon are the new JUCO.

I’ve met Andy Toole a couple of times and I’ve been impressed. RMU should be easy to root for.

 

[DayOnePittPanthers]

Im looking forward to going tomorrow. It’s a good venue. This is Toole’s best team since they won the Northeast right before the pandemic.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Won at 1st Place Cleveland State last night and are now in a tie for 2nd. RMU has 3-4 players who will play in the P5 next year and I hope we can land at least one of them. Alvaro Folguieras from Spain is averaging 14 and 10. Need to make him a priority.

 

[BobbyMoPittFan]

Won at 1st Place Cleveland State last night and are now in a tie for 2nd. RMU has 3-4 players who will play in the P5 next year and I hope we can land at least one of them. Alvaro Folguieras from Spain is averaging 14 and 10. Need to make him a priority.

Folgueiras to Pitt would be the first time I'd be happy about an RMU transfer. Obviously it's still mid-major, but the Horizon is known for being more of a physical league so I could see his rebounding ability translating to the ACC. Who else would you say could go to the P5? The only other that I could see making that jump would be Amarion Dickerson.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Folgueiras to Pitt would be the first time I'd be happy about an RMU transfer. Obviously it's still mid-major, but the Horizon is known for being more of a physical league so I could see his rebounding ability translating to the ACC. Who else would you say could go to the P5? The only other that I could see making that jump would be Amarion Dickerson.

Rebounding always translates to every level. And that's why Folguieras has to be a priority. Dickerson can play in the P5, maybe not as a starter. And Kam Woods may want to give the P5 another and go for 5 schools in 5 years after not playing much at NC St.

 

[BobbyMoPittFan]

RMU with a dominant win over Milwaukee today which puts them at 22-8 (14-5), currently good for 1st place in the Horizon League. Now Allegheny County's best hope at a March Madness bid.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

RMU with a dominant win over Milwaukee today which puts them at 22-8 (14-5), currently good for 1st place in the Horizon League. Now Allegheny County's best hope at a March Madness bid.

Can we trade head coaches?

 

[HailToPitt725]

Can we trade head coaches?

I’m shocked no one has poached Toole from RMU yet. His team seems to get gutted over and over, yet they keep popping back up as conference contenders. Very impressive, especially now that they’re out of the NEC.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

RMU with a dominant win over Milwaukee today which puts them at 22-8 (14-5), currently good for 1st place in the Horizon League. Now Allegheny County's best hope at a March Madness bid.

Need to make Folguieras as priority. He was at Pitt/Syr. Elite rebounder. 40% from 3. I'd be ok with he and GDG underneath. 2 Spaniards.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Need to make Folguieras as priority. He was at Pitt/Syr. Elite rebounder. 40% from 3. I'd be ok with he and GDG underneath. 2 Spaniards.

Folguieras is more likely to stay at Robert Morris than jump to Pitt. He'll be a priority NIL guy at RMU, whereas that won't be the case at Pitt.

If Toole stays at RMU beyond this year, Folguieras and Dickerson will be their primary NIL guys.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Folguieras is more likely to stay at Robert Morris than jump to Pitt. He'll be a priority NIL guy at RMU, whereas that won't be the case at Pitt.

If Toole stays at RMU beyond this year, Folguieras and Dickerson will be their primary NIL guys.

There is no way that RMU can pay Folguieras anywhere close to what Pitt can pay. This is RMU we are talking about. There's no way they can pay more than 20K, 30K, etc.

Folguieras is going to get 500K in the portal and it probably won't be at Pitt. There's no way that RMU can afford that. Toole probably finally makes the jump too.

 

[ColonialInsider]

There is no way that RMU can pay Folguieras anywhere close to what Pitt can pay. This is RMU we are talking about. There's no way they can pay more than 20K, 30K, etc.

Folguieras is going to get 500K in the portal and it probably won't be at Pitt. There's no way that RMU can afford that. Toole probably finally makes the jump too.

They got a seven-figure donation this summer specifically for basketball NIL.

Olsen Basketball Excellence Fund

Olsen Basketball Excellence Fund

rmucolonials.com

Also, players like Folguieras aren't getting $500k in the portal. This is two years old, but a survey of college coaches said the average price for a projected high major starter in the portal was $200-300k. As good as Folguieras has been, he's not a guaranteed starter at the high major level.

Candid Coaches: What NIL price is a projected high-major starter in the transfer looking portal looking for?

Name, image and likeness has changed the game when it comes to recruiting transfers

www.cbssports.com

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

They got a seven-figure donation this summer specifically for basketball NIL.

Olsen Basketball Excellence Fund

Olsen Basketball Excellence Fund

rmucolonials.com

Also, players like Folguieras aren't getting $500k in the portal. This is two years old, but a survey of college coaches said the average price for a projected high major starter in the portal was $200-300k. As good as Folguieras has been, he's not a guaranteed starter at the high major level.

Candid Coaches: What NIL price is a projected high-major starter in the transfer looking portal looking for?

Name, image and likeness has changed the game when it comes to recruiting transfers

www.cbssports.com

That's 2 years old. Folguieras will get $500K. Prices keep going up. An average P5 roster costs $2 million. Good ones cost much more. Ain't no way he's coming back to RMU for 30K.

 

[ColonialInsider]

That's 2 years old. Folguieras will get $500K. Prices keep going up. An average P5 roster costs $2 million. Good ones cost much more. Ain't no way he's coming back to RMU for 30K.

OK. I'm not saying he'll return to Robert Morris. But he won't get $500k anywhere. The numbers are inflated through the rumor mill and through occasional ridiculous deals. The majority of basketball players in power conferences aren't hitting $500k out of the portal. Six figures? Sure. Half a million? Nope. Especially not a guy who likely profile as a sixth man, maybe a starter when he's a senior for a competitive NCAA Tournament team.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

OK. I'm not saying he'll return to Robert Morris. But he won't get $500k anywhere. The numbers are inflated through the rumor mill and through occasional ridiculous deals. The majority of basketball players in power conferences aren't hitting $500k out of the portal. Six figures? Sure. Half a million? Nope. Especially not a guy who likely profile as a sixth man, maybe a starter when he's a senior for a competitive NCAA Tournament team.

Numbers keep going up. Folguieras is one of the nation's leading rebounders. I think he'll get 500. If this were 2 years ago, then yes, maybe 50K-100K. Why do you think the SEC is getting 14 out of 16 teams in the NCAAT? Their starters average at least 500K.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Numbers keep going up. Folguieras is one of the nation's leading rebounders. I think he'll get 500. If this were 2 years ago, then yes, maybe 50K-100K. Why do you think the SEC is getting 14 out of 16 teams in the NCAAT? Their starters average at least 500K.

Folguieras' numbers are inflated by competition. The Horizon is better than the NEC, but not by as much as it once was. It's around 18-20 depending on if you look at RPI, NET, or other similar methods.

RMU played a soft non-conference schedule. Here's how he did against decent non-conference opponents:
- 0 points, 10 rebounds vs WVU
- 9 points, 8 rebounds vs Towson
- 19 points, 12 rebounds vs Cornell
- 12 points, 7 rebounds vs Ohio U.

Do those look like numbers that jump off the page and scream $500k in the portal?

He's had a great year, a huge leap from his freshman year. First-team all-Horizon and possibly conference player of the year. He and Dickerson are a fantastic 1-2 combination in the post for a mid-major.

But he's not a surefire power conference player.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Folguieras' numbers are inflated by competition. The Horizon is better than the NEC, but not by as much as it once was. It's around 18-20 depending on if you look at RPI, NET, or other similar methods.

RMU played a soft non-conference schedule. Here's how he did against decent non-conference opponents:
- 0 points, 10 rebounds vs WVU
- 9 points, 8 rebounds vs Towson
- 19 points, 12 rebounds vs Cornell
- 12 points, 7 rebounds vs Ohio U.

Do those look like numbers that jump off the page and scream $500k in the portal?

He's had a great year, a huge leap from his freshman year. First-team all-Horizon and possibly conference player of the year. He and Dickerson are a fantastic 1-2 combination in the post for a mid-major.

But he's not a surefire power conference player.

We can debate numbers. I think he gets 500. Maybe he doesn't. But there's no debate as to whether he is a P5 player. PLENTY of Horizon-level players play very big roles in the P5. He is the best player on the #1 seed in the Horizon tournament. This isn't a question. And there is no chance that RMU can pay anywhere close to what a P5 can. He's gone. You better hope Dickerson and Woods don't leave for maybe the A10 level or a P5 backup role. If I'm Pitt, I'd take Dickerson as a bench/role player. I may even take Woods too but for small NIL and no promises.

 

[ColonialInsider]

We can debate numbers. I think he gets 500. Maybe he doesn't. But there's no debate as to whether he is a P5 player. PLENTY of Horizon-level players play very big roles in the P5. He is the best player on the #1 seed in the Horizon tournament. This isn't a question. And there is no chance that RMU can pay anywhere close to what a P5 can. He's gone. You better hope Dickerson and Woods don't leave for maybe the A10 level or a P5 backup role. If I'm Pitt, I'd take Dickerson as a bench/role player. I may even take Woods too but for small NIL and no promises.

Woods is out of eligibility. He's also already played at the P5 level. He played 13 games and averaged 1.2 points per game for NC State last year. By the way, that came a year after averaging 17.3 points per game for North Carolina A&T.

Trey Townsend was last year's Horizon League Player of the Year. He was a huge star for Oakland. He's more well-rounded than Folgeuiras and more consistent offensively. He had 30 points against NC State in the NCAA Tournament.

He's coming off the bench for Arizona in his final year averaging 8 points per game.

Noah Reynolds averaged 20 ppg for Green Bay. He went to a .500 team in TCU and is averaging 12.5 ppg.

Marques Warrick averaged 20 ppg for NKU. He's now at Missouri, averaging 6.7 ppg off the bench.

Townsend, Reynolds, and Warrick were the three first-team Horizon players from last year who still had eligibility. Reynolds is the only one playing a big role. Warrick, keep in mind, was Division I's active leading scorer when he transferred from NKU to Missouri. Folgueiras is not on their level. He's a step or two below.

I just think you're overstating what he will provide at the power five level and what that will cost. He's far more likely to be like Warrick at Missouri if he were to make the jump.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Woods is out of eligibility. He's also already played at the P5 level. He played 13 games and averaged 1.2 points per game for NC State last year. By the way, that came a year after averaging 17.3 points per game for North Carolina A&T.

Trey Townsend was last year's Horizon League Player of the Year. He was a huge star for Oakland. He's more well-rounded than Folgeuiras and more consistent offensively. He had 30 points against NC State in the NCAA Tournament.

He's coming off the bench for Arizona in his final year averaging 8 points per game.

Noah Reynolds averaged 20 ppg for Green Bay. He went to a .500 team in TCU and is averaging 12.5 ppg.

Marques Warrick averaged 20 ppg for NKU. He's now at Missouri, averaging 6.7 ppg off the bench.

Townsend, Reynolds, and Warrick were the three first-team Horizon players from last year who still had eligibility. Reynolds is the only one playing a big role. Warrick, keep in mind, was Division I's active leading scorer when he transferred from NKU to Missouri. Folgueiras is not on their level. He's a step or two below.

I just think you're overstating what he will provide at the power five level and what that will cost. He's far more likely to be like Warrick at Missouri if he were to make the jump.

JUCO time doesn't count toward eligibility anymore so Woods has 1 year left.

Also, I didn't say Folguieras was going to be a star. He has a translatable skill. He rebounds. Oakland and NKU transfers averaging 7 and 8 for Sweet 16 level teams is pretty darn good. Pitt would love to have guys like that.

 

[ColonialInsider]

JUCO time doesn't count toward eligibility anymore so Woods has 1 year left.

Also, I didn't say Folguieras was going to be a star. He has a translatable skill. He rebounds. Oakland and NKU transfers averaging 7 and 8 for Sweet 16 level teams is pretty darn good. Pitt would love to have guys like that.

Woods is in his fourth year at the D-I level alone. Troy, NC A&T, NC State, RMU.

And again, guys who are role players aren't getting $500k to come in and give you 15 minutes off the bench. That's the issue at hand. Folgeiuras is not a power five starter. Maybe in another year if he can prove he can play against higher level competition.

But for now, he'd be a 12 minute guy off the bench, and those guys aren't getting $500k.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Didn't two RMU players transfer to a major school a few years ago? Which school was that? I was thinking it was in the Big East, but maybe not.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Didn't two RMU players transfer to a major school a few years ago? Which school was that? I was thinking it was in the Big East, but maybe not.

Coron Williams had a good year at Wake back during Dixon 2. Enoch Cheeks has averaged 8 and 13 the last 2 years for Dayton. Can't remember the others.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Didn't two RMU players transfer to a major school a few years ago? Which school was that? I was thinking it was in the Big East, but maybe not.

They had quite a few players transfer up pre-Covid. Marcquise Reed to Clemson and Rodney Prior to Georgetown are the two who first jump to mind. I’ll let our Bobby Mo friends help with any others I missed.

 

[BobbyMoPittFan]

I am an RMU alum and root for them even more than I root for Pitt, so believe me, I'd love nothing more than for Folgueiras to stay another year, but to think that has any chance of happening is pure hopium. If Cheeks can go from a mid table HL team to a program with the pedigree of Dayton, surely the best player for the best HL team will end up at a power conference school.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I am an RMU alum and root for them even more than I root for Pitt, so believe me, I'd love nothing more than for Folgueiras to stay another year, but to think that has any chance of happening is pure hopium. If Cheeks can go from a mid table HL team to a program with the pedigree of Dayton, surely the best player for the best HL team will end up at a power conference school.

Yes, Folguieras is 100% gone. Not sure it will be at Pitt but he would have to take, at minimum, a six figure payout to stay. An SEC team would pay him $100K+ more to come off their bench over staying at RMU.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

I’m shocked no one has poached Toole from RMU yet. His team seems to get gutted over and over, yet they keep popping back up as conference contenders. Very impressive, especially now that they’re out of the NEC.

Maybe coaching matters????

 

[HailToPitt1985]

It's great that RMU is having this success and the players mentioned are viewed as P5 players. But Pitt needs more help than they can offer.

 

[BobbyMoPittFan]

I’m shocked no one has poached Toole from RMU yet. His team seems to get gutted over and over, yet they keep popping back up as conference contenders. Very impressive, especially now that they’re out of the NEC.

Pat Gallagher, owner of PGT Trucking, sponsors the head coaching position. Toole's official title is "Pat Gallagher Head Coach". If Pitt should hire anyone, it should be whoever is in charge of RMU's fundraising because how a team that's third in the pecking order in a city that largely doesn't care about basketball and brings in about 1,000 fans a game can fund a $50M arena and get hefty donations for head coaching and NIL money is insane. Especially since despite all our success we still can't figure out a way to fill our new building even halfway unless it's a conference championship or Pitt.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Pat Gallagher, owner of PGT Trucking, sponsors the head coaching position. Toole's official title is "Pat Gallagher Head Coach". If Pitt should hire anyone, it should be whoever is in charge of RMU's fundraising because how a team that's third in the pecking order in a city that largely doesn't care about basketball and brings in about 1,000 fans a game can fund a $50M arena and get hefty donations for head coaching and NIL money is insane. Especially since despite all our success we still can't figure out a way to fill our new building even halfway unless it's a conference championship or Pitt.

Gallagher is also the bozo that chased Dixon out of town because he wanted Stallings. I have zero respect for anything about Pat Gallagher and PGT Trucking. He's the truckster doofus.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Maybe coaching matters????

Definitely. In fact, I’d argue coaching matters now more than ever in CBB because NIL has helped level the playing field to a certain extent. It’s no longer just about being the bigger brand and relying on highly-touted recruiting classes.

Like I mentioned in another thread, mid-major head coaches who can identify talent and develop players have a much easier transition to the P5 level in this new era.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Pat Gallagher, owner of PGT Trucking, sponsors the head coaching position. Toole's official title is "Pat Gallagher Head Coach". If Pitt should hire anyone, it should be whoever is in charge of RMU's fundraising because how a team that's third in the pecking order in a city that largely doesn't care about basketball and brings in about 1,000 fans a game can fund a $50M arena and get hefty donations for head coaching and NIL money is insane. Especially since despite all our success we still can't figure out a way to fill our new building even halfway unless it's a conference championship or Pitt.

It’s very impressive. Out of curiosity, what do you think is the ceiling for the RMU program in this new age of college basketball? I wonder if they could make a move to the CAA if they make the tourney a few times in the Horizon?

 

[BobbyMoPittFan]

It’s very impressive. Out of curiosity, what do you think is the ceiling for the RMU program in this new age of college basketball? I wonder if they could make a move to the CAA if they make the tourney a few times in the Horizon?

Probably the CAA eventually. A-10 is the long-term pipe dream but that's much too ambitious at this point. Patriot League would be an option as well but the academics aren't there.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Probably the CAA eventually. A-10 is the long-term pipe dream but that's much too ambitious at this point. Patriot League would be an option as well but the academics aren't there.

Perhaps if Duquesne ever got into the Big East (assuming there’s smoke to these ACC/BE rumors), the A-10 could backfill with RMU to remain in Pittsburgh? That’d be a game-changer for both the university and the athletic department.

 

[BobbyMoPittFan]

Perhaps if Duquesne ever got into the Big East (assuming there’s smoke to these ACC/BE rumors), the A-10 could backfill with RMU to remain in Pittsburgh? That’d be a game-changer for both the university and the athletic department.

I'm not so sure Duquesne would be much of an obstacle to RMU joining. The A-10 already has 2 teams in Richmond (Richmond, VCU), the DMV (George Mason, George Washington), and Philly (St. Joe's, LaSalle). If anything it would help both programs since it would kick-start a true local rivalry. Again, this is assuming RMU has sustained success in the HL and possibly the CAA afterwards.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'm not so sure Duquesne would be much of an obstacle to RMU joining. The A-10 already has 2 teams in Richmond (Richmond, VCU), the DMV (George Mason, George Washington), and Philly (St. Joe's, LaSalle). If anything it would help both programs since it would kick-start a true local rivalry. Again, this is assuming RMU has sustained success in the HL and possibly the CAA afterwards.

I never knew why RMU never developed any fanbase at all. I realize they are in a tough spot given it's a lower-tier school in a pro town but my God does this town hate college basketball. RMU should be getting 3000 just for opening the doors. Pitt should be getting 8K-9K if the team is in the .500 vicinity and bubble teams should sell the place out consistently. Instead, Pitt gets Horizon League attendance (real attendance, not the made-up numbers) and RMU draws worse than a whole lot of WPIAL teams.

 

[greekpanther]

Bobby Mo used to be a Juco, so there you go.

Outstanding JUCO teams under Gus Krop

 

[greekpanther]

JUCO time doesn't count toward eligibility anymore so Woods has 1 year left.

Also, I didn't say Folguieras was going to be a star. He has a translatable skill. He rebounds. Oakland and NKU transfers averaging 7 and 8 for Sweet 16 level teams is pretty darn good. Pitt would love to have guys like that.

He can shoot the 4, good footwork in the paint not afraid to go get the ball off the rim

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Woods is in his fourth year at the D-I level alone. Troy, NC A&T, NC State, RMU.

And again, guys who are role players aren't getting $500k to come in and give you 15 minutes off the bench. That's the issue at hand. Folgeiuras is not a power five starter. Maybe in another year if he can prove he can play against higher level competition.

But for now, he'd be a 12 minute guy off the bench, and those guys aren't getting $500k.

20-21: Troy (doesn't count since it was the Covid year)

21-22: JUCO (doesn't count anymore)

22-23: NC A&T: "Year 1"

23-24: NC St: "Year 2"

24-25: RMU: "Year 3"

25-26: "Year 4"