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Robert Morris University
By Stephen Flinn

Robert Morris enters the 2005-2006 basketball season with a lot of questions. Head coach Mark Schmidt is faced with the task of replacing six lettermen, and he'll be doing so with a squad with no seniors and seven newcomers. Schmidt, though, feels he is armed with the tools to be up for the challenge.

"We don't call this year a re-building year," Schmidt said. "We have a lot of new blood, but everybody's so willing to learn that we hope our attitude and excitement will help make up for the lost experience."

The Colonials compiled a 14-15 overall record last season, finishing third in the Northeast Conference with a league record of 11-7. They lost to Wagner, 69-65, in the NEC Tournament quarterfinals.

Among the six lost lettermen from last year's team are Chaz McCrommon, Maurice Carter and Mark Anderson. Those three averaged over 30 points and 12 rebounds a game combined.

Guards Tony Lee, a member of the NEC All-Freshman team last season, and Derek Coleman return, along with sophomore wing Cori Boston. East Tennessee State transfer and Monessen High School star A.J. Jackson is also eligible this year and should man the power forward slot. Juco transfers Donnie Palmer and Freddie Harris are both wide bodies who will share time in the middle.

The team is relatively young, but Schmidt is hopeful that the new blood will transfer to this season in the form of exciting play and wins on the court.

"Everybody's 0-0 again in the win-loss column and we're all looking forward to the upcoming season," Schmidt said. "It's true we have a lot of new players to go with an experienced backcourt, so who knows what will happen this year, and that's part of the overall excitement."