Originally posted by boatcapt
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Robert Morris is a little different -- and far from a 'quality' D1 program. I'd probably call them in most years a decent low mid-major. To be honest, they could play IUP or WL and the game probably wouldn't even get covered by the Pittsburgh media ... probably a small blurb in the next days sports section. Bobby Mo is third fiddle in Pittsburgh behind Pitt and Duquesne -- and Pitt and Duquesne are miles behind the Steelers and Penguins.
But, yes, the unspoken rule is if you're going to play down ... you best know what the outcome is going to be long before the game starts. I'm not saying IUP or WL would beat Robert Morris or St. Francis on a regular basis, but there are certainly years they could.
I remember last year IUP scheduled Westminster - it was the first time IUP played a D3 in forever. Total snooze-fest for the crowd. And, naturally, Westminster came out gangbusters and IUP was asleep -- and it was a game at halftime. Joe then likely exploded at halftime and IUP won by 35 or something. This year they are bringing Bethany (WV) up to the KCAC. I know the IUP ladies will NEVER be invited back to Pitt again after beating the Panthers two years ago.
Basketball also can't pay those huge guarantees like they can pay teams to get slaughtered in football.
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