Robert Morris men's basketball to play twice at Consol Energy Center

Robert Morris' 2016-17 men's basketball schedule features two home games at Consol Energy Center.

In the schedule it released Thursday, RMU will play host to Duquesne (Dec. 6) and Buffalo (Dec. 21) at Consol. It marks the first time in more than 30 years the Colonials will play a home game away from Sewall Center.

“The schedule will be incredibly challenging,” coach Andy Toole said. “Taking two games to Consol is something we've discussed about in the past. Duquesne is a natural rival, and hopefully this gives the program more exposure in the city.”

The Colonials' 31-game schedule features 13 nonconference games, including four in the Barclays Classic in which they will play at Richmond of the Atlantic 10 on Nov. 20 and at Kansas State of the Big 12 on Nov. 22. RMU concludes the tournament against Hampton on Nov. 25 in a game at Towson and against Stony Brook or Towson on Nov. 26.

The season opener is Nov. 11 at home against Penn.

RMU, which was 10-22 in 2015-16, also will play at DePaul of the Big East (Nov. 13), ACC power Virginia (Dec. 17) and two of the top teams in the Patriot League: Bucknell (Nov. 16) and Lehigh (Dec. 3).

The other nonconference home games are against Youngstown State (Nov. 30) and Oakland (Dec. 10).

“It's the most homes we've had since I began coaching here,” Toole said. “I would quantify the schedule as extremely difficult, which is what we do here.”

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.