Robert Morris enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024–25, claiming its first-ever Horizon League title and nearly toppling Alabama in a thrilling NCAA Tournament first-round matchup. It was a remarkable turnaround for the Colonials, who had won just 10 games the year before.
The excitement from the program’s ninth NCAA Tournament didn’t last long, however. Though it remains a memorable milestone in the program’s history, coach Andrew Toole has faced the challenge of completely rebuilding the roster this offseason. The Colonials have lost nine players to the transfer portal and will return only four players from last season’s team.
“To me last year’s group was a special group, and not just because the won a championship and were extremely successful on the floor,” Toole said. “They were a great group of guys to be around, really kind of embodied what I think teams should be about. Last year’s team was truly competitive. They had great pride in their performance and in our program. They challenged you as a coach, which is something you love to have guys that are going to challenge you and are going to hold you to a high standard.”
Besides last season’s team success, the Colonials had numerous players receive recognition in the Horizon League. Alvaro Folgueiras became the first Colonial to be named Horizon League Player of the Year and receive All-League first team honors. Amarion Dickerson earned conference defensive player of the year and was on the all-defensive team. Kam Woods won the conference tournament MVP, and DJ Smith and Josh Omojafo each made the all-tournament team.
All five players departed this offseason, with Folgueiras transferring to Iowa after averaging 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in 2024-25. Woods was the team’s top scorer at 14.9 points per contest.
Last season, the Colonials had a 26-9 record and captured the Horizon League regular-season and tournament titles, earning the automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Colonials lost to second-seeded Alabama by nine points in a tight back-and-forth contest in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I think the hardest part about losing in the first round for the team was that they didn’t get more of an opportunity to show what they’re capable of,” Toole said.
Last year was a critical season for Toole. The Colonials had four straight losing seasons in the Horizon League after moving to the conference from the Northeast Conference in 2020. They never finished higher than sixth in the first four years in the new conference and the pressure was mounting for Toole.
He silenced the critics, instilling a winning mentality and ultimately getting the most out of his players. Before last season, Toole guided the Colonials to a pair of regular-season NEC championships (2013, 2014) and two NEC Tournament championships (2015, 2020). He has led Robert Morris to seven national postseason appearances, earning automatic bids to three NCAA Tournaments and two NITs.
“He is simply one of the best coaches in college basketball,” RMU’s VP and Director of Athletics Chris King said. “He’s got a great vision, very dedicated, not just to this institution, but to the student-athletes. I think his ability to develop young men both on and off the court is truly remarkable. This championship season is kind of a testament to his commitment to his strategic planning and his vision for the program. I think one of the major reasons that we were able to have success was his ability to adapt and evolve.”
Every program strives for sustained success, and that’s certainly the goal at Robert Morris. But entering the 2025–26 season, there’s no denying the road ahead will be challenging.
Of the four returning players from last year’s roster, only one made a significant on-court impact — redshirt junior guard Ryan Prather Jr., who averaged 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He also shot an impressive 39.7% from beyond the arc, the second-best mark on the team.
To reload, the Colonials have brought in 11 new players this offseason, including several with notable credentials. Junior guard Jeremiah Littlejohn joins the program after a standout season at Western Oklahoma State, where he averaged 18.2 points per game and earned NJCAA Region 2 Division I Player of the Year honors.
Also joining the fold is 6-foot-9 junior forward Nikolaos Chitikoudis, a transfer from North Carolina A&T. Chitikoudis averaged 10.8 points per game last season and recorded eight double-doubles, giving the Colonials a versatile presence in the frontcourt.
With a roster full of new faces, Robert Morris hopes to carry over some momentum from last season while forging a new identity in 2025–26.
“The main point and focal point is going to be getting guys to buy into the team,” Toole said. “Right, how we do things might be different from how you did things at your high school, junior college or previous college. Can you embrace what we’re doing here, try to do what you’re being asked here, be mature enough to understand what is needed of you and how you can be successful at Robert Morris.”
