CLEVELAND (93.7 The Fan) – Robert Morris is trying to look at this like another game, but it’s hard in an 18-thousand seat arena playing the highest scoring team in Division 1. What Robert Morris players said about the opportunity. Plus a key player back home in Cleveland and experiencing March Madness.
Not what imagined
Growing up in Spain, Alvaro Folgueiras knew about the NCAA Tournament and college basketball. He watched it, but didn’t understand the process and the hype. Now it’s all hitting him.
“The emotions, you can feel the excitement,” Folgueiras said. “Three years ago, personally, I didn't know what March Madness was. For sure, it's a big thing now. Now I'm discovering that in first person.”
For example, I brought my brother, and he doesn't even think that this is real. He's taking photos even with the security men (laughter).”
Back home
It’s been a journey for RMU forward Amarion Dickerson. He had to start his career in Division 2 and Robert Morris took a chance on him. Now he’s playing in the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage Field House, five minutes from where he grew up. When the Colonials played Cleveland State, a huge crowd came to root for Robert Morris, more specifically for Dickerson.
“When Mar’s career is over, there’s a good chance, or if he hasn’t discussed it, he
should work for the Cleveland City of tourism, the Visitors’ Bureau,” said Robert Morris head coach Andy Toole. “There is no more prideful Clevelander, if that’s even a word, than MAR. He will argue with you about the Browns until death. When we come here to play Cleveland State, he’ll go through his list of favorite restaurants and all the attractions that make Cleveland what it is. So he has such great pride. So for him to be able to play a game here in the NCAA Tournament is awesome.”
“It’s an away game, neutral game, but it’ll feel like a home game for us with all the fans travelling from Pittsburgh and all the fans we have here in Cleveland,” Dickerson said.
Sweet home
RMU guard Kam Woods said as soon as the matchup was announced on CBS, his social media was going crazy from his people in his home state of Alabama. He called it a dream matchup for some people at home. Woods also great up playing against Crimson Tide All-American Mark Sears.
“He's a great player,” Woods said. “We all know that. But it's just like us, he's human. Growing up with him, pretty good player. Went to Ohio (University). He played great and then transferred to Bama and he's been doing his thing. We're just looking forward to the matchup. It's a matchup that a lot of mid-majors in the country want, so we're just taking it as a regular game, no matter the impact on the names.”
Moon home
While many have only been there for this season, when you win, you build a bond with your school and community. These players are feeling it, especially playing so close to campus.
“Just being in Morris Township, a small city, I feel like us being here brings back that recognition that they had,” Woods said. “With Coach Toole recruiting, that's the first thing he wanted, bringing the culture back, starting the era back because he's a winner.”
“I think we represent one township,” Folgueiras said. “I think we did all season long. You have to remember where we come from. Last year, it wasn't a great season for us, and we just won 10 games. So we've got to value the moment and enjoy the experience. But the job is not finished. We have a great chance tomorrow to keep making history, and we're on that.”
Awards aren’t everything
Along with winning the Horizon League regular season and tournament championship, Toole was named coach of the year, Dickerson the defensive player of the year and Folgueiras the player of the year. The junior’s comments give you some insight to his thought process.
“It’s way less important than being Horizon League champion. You're not a real MVP if you're not a champion. If I'm the Horizon Player of the Year, it's because of all of us. It's because I'm on a winning team and that's because all the team.”