In a span of less than 48 hours, Robert Morris’ men’s basketball team went from elation to devastation when the NCAA canceled this year’s tournament.
After beating St. Francis (Pa.), 77-67, on Tuesday night in the championship game of the Northeast Conference Tournament, the ultimate prize was taken away when the NCAA canceled the men’s and women’s tournaments because of the coronavirus.
It would have been the Colonials’ ninth NCAA Tournament berth and the first since 2015.
Coach Andy Toole, who wore a satisfied smile while watching his players celebrate Tuesday on the court at UPMC Events Center, played in two tournaments as a player at Penn. He wanted the same for his players.
“We, as a program, understand the importance of keeping everyone safe and healthy,” Toole said in a statement released by the school Thursday night, “but it’s disappointing we won’t have the chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
“We hurt for our senior class in Josh (Williams), Yannis (Mendy) and Sayveon (McEwen), as well as their teammates, who put all of their effort and determination into helping us win a Northeast Conference championship.
“I will always be proud of having had the opportunity to coach this group.”
Robert Morris ended the season with a 20-14 record, 16-5 against conference opponents.
The disappointment felt on the Robert Morris campus wasn’t limited to the men’s team. The women (23-7) were scheduled to play Sacred Heart in the semifinal round of the Northeast Conference Tournament.
The Colonials had won a fourth consective NEC regular-season title and were the favorites to nail down their fifth NCAA Tournament berth in the past seven seasons.
