PITTSBURGH – Robert Morris men’s basketball will begin the 2023-24 season against one of the final 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament.
According to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein, RMU will face Xavier at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Nov. 6. The matchup is the Musketeers’ season opener after reaching the Sweet 16 in March. Xavier lost to Texas (83-71) after knocking the Pitt Panthers out of March Madness (84-73) in the previous round.
Led by Pittsburgh native and Pitt grad Sean Miller, Xavier finished 27-10 overall and 15-5 in Big East play.
Robert Morris concluded its third Horizon League season 10-10 in conference play (16-17 overall). The Colonials lost in overtime to Cleveland State during the Horizon League quarterfinals. Enoch Cheeks and Michael Green III transferring out of the program, plus leader Khaliel Spear graduating, leaves significant shoes to fill for incoming freshmen and transfers.
RMU and Xavier have meet twice, once during the 2008-09 season and the other in 2012-13, both in Cincinnati. The Musketeers won the first contest 78-57 before RMU gave Xavier a scare, only winning by two points (61-59). That season was also the year Robert Morris upset Kentucky in Moon Township during the NIT.
Andy Toole landed former four-star guard Justice Wiliams from LSU two weeks ago. Regarded as the No. 34 overall player by Rivals.com out of high school, Williams brings two years of SEC basketball experience to the conference as one of RMU’s top recruits in program history.
“I’m definitely excited,” Williams said. “Coming in with a good coach in Coach [Andy] Toole, definitely a good group of guys and proximity as well. I’m familiar with the territory and the city.”
Robert Morris Commit Justice Williams Details Excitement in Joining Andy Toole and Colonials
