MU B-Ball Report: 1/19/12

If the game against St. Francis (NY) last week was “as close to a ‘must-win’ game as you will see for a college basketball team in mid-January,” as I previously stated, then Monmouth’s game tonight against the Northeast Conference Saint Francis (this one from Pa.) is definitely a must-win. The Hawks are currently on the outside looking in of the league’s tournament, and beating a Red Flash team that is a few games ahead of MU in the standings would be very clutch. The last time these two teams met in early December, Saint Francis defeated Monmouth by over 20. That was a very long time for this Hawks team, which is playing much better now than it was at that time of the year. Watch for Jesse Steele and Marcus Ware to have big games against the Red Flash in what could be a high-scoring game.

On Saturday, MU welcomes Robert Morris to the MAC. The Colonials are led by Andy Toole, a local guy who also happens to be the youngest coach in the nation (don’t let his age fool you though, Toole is an excellent communicator and instructor and his RMU team is among the toughest and best in the league). Long story short, MU needs to win tonight against SFU. Not to sound like a coach too much, but all games are must win. It’s just that Thursday’s game really is.