Robert Morris enjoys stability among starting five, coach Andy Toole
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Robert Morris coach Andy Toole will make no apologies for employing the same starting lineup through the first 17 games of the season.
“Usually, I change starters every day,” said Toole, noting he might have set some unofficial school record. “Those guys have been some of our most consistent performers. They’re a group that plays well together, so they deserve the opportunity to start.”
The same five — seniors Matty McConnell (Chartiers Valley) and Josh Williams, junior Yannis Mendy and sophomores Jon Williams and Charles Bain — are expected compose the starting lineup Saturday when Robert Morris visits Bryant. From there, the Colonials (8-9, 3-1 Northeast Conference) travel to Central Connecticut for a Monday afternoon game.
While Toole has built one record for stability among his players, he set another one for victories — and this one was personal. When Robert Morris defeated St. Francis Brooklyn, 52-49, on Jan. 10, Toole set the school record for victories by a coach (158). He surpassed former record holder Jarrett Durham, who was the Colonials’ coach from 1984-96.
Toole, 38, is in the midst of his ninth season, and the Ivy Leaguer from Penn said he has been happy putting down roots in Moon Township.
“You always understand in coaching, moves are always part of the equation,” he said. “But to be able to be at one place nine years as a head coach, 12 years overall, has been great.
“My family loves Pittsburgh. I’ve loved the continuity of it. I’ve loved the ability to create relationships with people on our campus, see the growth of the university, see players come through their four years and see them develop in life.
“All that stuff has been an added bonus.”
Robert Morris has won four of its past five games but drags a sub-.500 record to Bryant after a difficult nonconference schedule that included losses to three Power 5 schools: USC (83-62), Purdue (84-46) and Louisville (73-59). Louisville and Purdue are among the top 32 schools in this week’s Associated Press poll.
While Toole keeps the starting lineup intact, 6-foot-8 senior Malik Petteway comes off the bench and provides a consistent scoring threat. He’s second on the team in points per game (10.9) and No. 1 in rebounding (5.5) and shooting percentage (52.6) in 19.5 minutes. No wonder he usually is on the court at the end of games.
“He’s just more comfortable (coming off the bench),” Toole said. “He likes the opportunity to see how the defense is playing people. He comes in and hits the ground running. He has been in a really good flow off the bench.”
Robert Morris gets additional bench strength from freshmen Cameron Wilbon (51.2 percent from the floor) and Dante Treacy (27 assists) and sophomore Koby Thomas (5.4 rebounds).
Josh Williams, a transfer from Akron, leads the team in scoring (14.9), and Jon Williams is No. 1 with 69 assists. McConnell provides a steady hand as an off-the-ball guard who has committed only 26 turnovers while averaging 28.7 minutes.
“He’s always strong with the ball,” Toole said. “He has a good IQ. You’re almost surprised if he does turn it over because he is so experienced and can read the defense so well.”
Robert Morris hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2015, when it defeated North Florida in a First Four game. Toole is hesitant to compare this year’s team to some of his others, partially because Robert Morris played in four of the five NEC title games from 2011-15.
“We had a stretch where we had some teams that were pretty special,” he said. “I like this group of guys. I think they want to win. They’re dedicated to the program, which is great.
“Some of those other teams probably scored the ball better than we do. We go through some ruts where we don’t score as well. Some of those other teams may have been a little bit more athletic. I see the opportunity for them to improve and work and grow, and that’s most important.”
Toole, who is signed through the 2020-21 season, sees potential for more growth when the school opens the 161,000-square-foot UPMC Events Center at the start of next season. It will house men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.
It’s too early to identify an opponent for opening night. Toole said school officials have spoken “casually” to Pitt.
“We’ll invite anybody who wants to come play,” he said. “We’re trying to get a program to come in and really give us a splash opening.”
Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry at jdipaola@tribweb.com or
via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.