Top Story - For the first time in its 37-year Division I history, the Robert Morris University men's basketball team takes part in the NIT Season Tip-Off, beginning Monday with an 8:30 p.m. matchup against Lehigh at the Petersen Events Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The Colonials are coming off a 79-54 setback @ Rider (11/9/12) in their 2012-13 season opener as junior guard Karvel Anderson came off the bench to lead RMU with 11 points in his Robert Morris debut. The Broncs jumped out to a 40-27 halftime lead en route to the victory, shooting 50.9 percent (27-for-53) from the floor on the night. The Colonials would only convert 25.5 percent (13-of-51) of their shots, a performance that marked the second lowest shooting percentage in a game in the Andrew Toole era. RMU continues play in the 2012 NIT Season Tip-Off Tuesday, Nov. 13, against either Fordham or Pittsburgh at the Petersen Events Center in a game time to be determined. Robert Morris will also play two more games in the tournament Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20, at a site and against opponents also to be determined.

Quick Stat of the Night - The 2012 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Season Tip-Off marks the 18th regular-season tournament that Robert Morris will participate in throughout the program's 37-year Division I history. The Colonials enter Monday's game against Lehigh with a record of 13-31 (.295) all-time in regular-season tournaments. Included in that record is a 6-10 (.375) mark in the last six seasons that current head coach Andrew Toole has been on the RMU coaching staff. Last season Robert Morris took part in the Philly Hoop Group Classic, posting a 2-2 (.500) record thanks to an 82-77 victory @ James Madison (11/22/11) as well as a neutral site victory over La Salle (11/25/11), 51-44, at the famed Palestra in Philadelphia, Pa.

Monday's Opponent and The All-Time Series - Lehigh and Robert Morris will square off on the hardwood for the fourth time Monday, with the Colonials holding a 2-1 (.667) edge in the all-time series. Prior to Monday's game, each of the three previous meetings between the two programs occurred between 1977 and 1986. The last time Lehigh and RMU faced each other, the Mountain Hawks posted a 54-53 victory over the Colonials Jan. 20, 1986, in Bethlehem, Pa. That contest closed out a home-and-home series in which Robert Morris won the opening contest, 73-64, Dec. 10, 1984 in Moon Township, Pa. Monday's game marks the second time the two programs will meet in a regular-season tournament, as Robert Morris earned a 66-57 overtime victory over Lehigh in the opening round of the Golden Dome Classic Dec. 27, 1977, in Tampa, Fla.

Head Coach Andrew Toole (Third Season; Penn '03) - When it came time for Robert Morris University Director of Athletics Craig Coleman, M.D., to name a new head coach for the men's basketball program, he didn't have to look far.

Andrew Toole was introduced as the eighth head coach in the 37-year Division I history at a press conference at the Charles L. Sewall Center May 11, 2010, and the 2012-13 campaign is his third season as head coach of the Colonials. He owns an overall record of 44-26 (.629).

Toole is at the helm of an RMU program that has experienced unprecedented success over the last five years. The Colonials own NEC records for victories over the span of three, four and five years. Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season when Toole joined the staff, Robert Morris owns an overall record of 117-56 (.676), with the 117 victories both a school and NEC record for a five-year span.

Velton Jones a Lou Henson Award Candidate - Thanks to one of the best seasons in school history in 2011-12, redshirt senior guard Velton Jones was one of 31 student-athletes named to the CollegeInsider.com 2012-13 Mid-Major Preseason All-America Team as well as a candidate for the Lou Henson Award. Given annually to the top student-athlete from the mid-major ranks, the Lou Henson Award watch features three players from the Northeast Conference. In addition to Jones, LIU Brooklyn's Julian Boyd and Sacred Heart's Shane Gibson also made the cut. Jones ranks second among active players in the NEC in assists (396) and fourth in points (1,267).

Start Me Up - Redshirt junior guard Coron Williams, the only Colonial to start all 37 games for Robert Morris in 2011-12, is RMU's active leader for consecutive starting assignments. Williams has started 43 straight games dating back to the 2010-11 season, the longest streak by a Colonial since redshirt senior guard Velton Jones started 70 consecutive games before having it snapped last season.

Welcome To Robert Morris - Junior guard Karvel Anderson saw his first action as a Division I student-athlete in RMU's 2012-13 season opener @ Rider (11/9/12), and in 26 minutes off the bench supplied the Colonials with a game-high 11 points. Anderson shot 4-for-11 from the field and was 3-of-5 at the free-throw line and also grabbed four rebounds and dishing out an assist. Anderson is the second active Colonial on the roster to lead Robert Morris scoring in his first Division I game. Redshirt senior guard Velton Jones scored a team-high 15 points for RMU in his Division I debut @ Syracuse (11/11/09) as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. Maybe it's a good sign, as Robert Morris advanced to the 2010 NCAA Tournament later that season.