'Sky's the limit': Robert Morris students, alumni look forward to NCAA Tournament
Brett Magulick could sense the anticipation Sunday in Robert Morris University’s UPMC Events Center as this year’s NCAA Tournament bracket was announced.
“This is kind of uncharted territory for RMU, and you could tell that everyone’s excited to be here,” said Magulick, 19, a freshman at the university. “You can feel the jaw drop.”
The Colonials were awarded the No. 15 seed in the East Region and found out they will play the No. 2 seed University of Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Magulick said as a fan, he’s staying optimistic because nobody knows what will happen during March Madness.
“I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t a little nervous,” he said, however. “Alabama’s huge, but you know, upsets happen all the time.”
Robert Morris (26-8) earned an NCAA Tournament spot after winning its first Horizon League Tournament championship. Alabama (25-8) lost in the SEC Tournament semifinals Saturday.
This year will mark Robert Morris’ ninth NCAA appearance after winning a 10th overall conference championship. The 2020 team won the NEC Tournament, but the NCAA Tournament was wiped out by the pandemic.
A view of the team here at Robert Morris University @TribLIVE ???? pic.twitter.com/C6b1pW1uBC
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Aaron Frier was a freshman at Robert Morris during the last time the team earned a spot, and now, as a senior, he’s excited to finally watch that bid come to life before he graduates.
Frier, 21, of Medford, N.J., and Magulick, of Peters Township, made a point to attend the watch party Sunday at the UPMC Events Center — despite spring break beginning. Students’ last classes were Friday, and they will have this week off.
Some shots of the UPMC Events Center here on Robert Morris University Campus @TribLIVE ???? pic.twitter.com/mvDHVLKC89
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Magulick had already traveled to his Washington County home for spring break but came back for the event.
“Obviously we’re all starting spring break and everyone’s heading home, but it’s still cool to see all the people who either stayed or came back up,” he said. “It was really cool to be here with everybody and experience it all together.”
Frier agreed any outcomes are possible during March Madness. In an ideal world, Robert Morris would go all the way.
“That’s why it’s called March Madness,” he said. “I think our team’s put on a good show so far this year, so you never know what they’ll be able to do.”
Though Frier was more into watching basketball during his freshman year the first time the team earned a bid, the recent success has reignited his love for watching the sport.
Magulick said he’s betting on Robert Morris.
“I’m going to be a delusional Colonials fan today and say they’re going to go all the way,” he said.
School spirit
Before starting at Robert Morris this year, Magulick had never watched a single game of basketball.
“I watched more basketball this year than my entire life combined,” he said. “It’s so cool — brought a whole new life for me to the sport.”
Because of the Colonials’ success this season, there’s already been more eyes on the university, Magulick said.
“It’s just awesome to see everyone collectively rooting for one thing,” he said. “Since the team has been hot, the vibes on campus have just been … so much fun.”
Both Magulick and Frier attended multiple home games this season in the student section, and they said there’s been a notable change in attendance. The last playoff game at UPMC Events Center had record attendance overall, they said.
“Throughout this season, you could see people coming in more,” Magulick said. “It’s insane. It’s changed so quickly.”
Frier said the student section itself has filled out more, and the crowd is getting louder, too.
“It (had) gotten to the point where it’s overflowing, and there weren’t enough seats,” he said.
Alumnus Michael Jandrasits has been a season ticket holder since he graduated from Robert Morris in 2009, and he’s tried to make it to every game — home and away.
“To see the team come together like they have to compete as hard as they have to have the resilience, it’s kind of ironic to see,” he said. “In 2020, they would’ve been in the tournament.”
Jandrasits, 38, of Upper St. Clair said he attended the watch party to support the team and learn where he would have to plan his trip for the week. Cleveland won’t be a far trek.
“I’m actually somewhat excited,” he said. “Alabama’s going to be a good test, but I think that we’re obviously going to be up for it.”
Once Robert Morris hypothetically beats Alabama, Jandrasits said the sky’s the limit.
“We have a team that will play hard defense, and that’s really going to play well for us in the tournament,” he said. “If you beat the No. 2, you’re going to have, quote unquote, the second easiest path.”
Frier said he was happy to hear Robert Morris would only be traveling to Cleveland.
He has a conference to attend for a school organization. Otherwise, he would be there. Both he and Magulick will be watching from their TVs.
“That’s decently in the area, so hopefully we can get a good student turnout there,” Frier said.
Megan Swift is a TribLive reporter covering trending news in Western Pennsylvania. A Murrysville native, she joined the Trib full time in 2023 after serving as editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian at Penn State. She previously worked as a Jim Borden Scholarship intern at the Trib for three summers. She can be reached at mswift@triblive.com.
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