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Robert Morris University buzzing in anticipation of matchup with Kentucky

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — When the news broke Sunday night that Robert Morris University would host defending national champion University of Kentucky in the first round of the National Invitational Basketball Tournament, the RMU athletic department received thousands calls for tickets.

Students began lining up about 7:30 a.m. Monday to purchase tickets to the arguably biggest game in Sewell Center history.

"It's fun to see everyone just running, like, 'You got tickets?'" Robert Morris student Marzane Fiedtkou said. "You have to get tickets."

Mike Germinaro was up early this morning but didn't get his tickets until later in the afternoon.

"I had a class over here at 8 this morning, and there was a line out here. I couldn't stay because I have a class at 9 a.m., but I never expected to see the University of Kentucky come to this school," Germinaro said.

No one was more surprised than the RMU Colonials' players.

"Wow, I was shocked," RMU forward Lucky Jones said. "I didn't think we would play them -- especially here."

The excitement isn't confined to just the current Robert Morris University students and players.

"I expect it to be rowdy; I expect everybody to be excited," explained college basketball fan Tony Pilotta.

"I expect Pittsburgh to come out in droves and support Robert Morris and the hometown team. We have to root for them." Pilotta said.

The Robert Morris athletic department expects to shatter the current Sewell Center attendance record Tuesday night when they face the Wildcats of Kentucky.