Getting up for a game has rarely been so literal.

Robert Morris will play Kent State at 8 a.m. today as part of ESPN's College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

"It's going to be weird because it's a game, it's not practice," sophomore guard Velton Jones said. "But I think we'll be able to adapt to the 8 o'clock time."

Robert Morris coach Andy Toole said he hoped to have the team in bed early Monday night, even though he imagines a few will be wide awake when the lights go out.

"They're not going to go to sleep at 10, but at least if they're lying in their beds in the dark they'll be resting better than doing other stuff," he said.

Jones said the team has had early morning practices in the past -- not to prepare for the game but because the staff likes to put the team in different situations to see how players will react.

But it will be especially early today. The team will have a wake-up call shortly after 5 a.m. After a light breakfast, the Colonials will head to Kent State's Memorial and Athletic Convocation Center to warm up.

"I think we'll be all right," sophomore guard Karon Abraham said.

It could be worse. Stony Brook and Monmouth play at 6 a.m.

That's what Saint Peter's coach John Dunne faced last season when his Peacocks played a 6 a.m. game against Monmouth.

"The guys are going to be up for the game," Dunne said. "It's on TV. It's not just a game, it's an event."

Last year's early game was at Saint Peter's, and Dunne said his team was so excited for the nationally televised game that the players beat him to the gym.

The Peacock's won, 58-34, and Dunne said he was surprised his team was as energetic as it was early in the morning.

Toole talked to Dunne about his experience before the teams played one another Saturday, and Dunne said he cautioned Toole -- not about an early game, but about the future. After the early bird win, Saint Peter's lost its next two games.

Robert Morris has even less time to recover than Saint Peter's had last season. The Colonials will play again Friday night, while the Peacocks had an extra day to recover.

Kent State is hoping to draw a lot of students to the Golden Flashes' home opener. The athletic department is promoting today's game as a chance for students to "get up" and "get loud," then "get to class."

And just one more sign that it's a special game for both teams: The Goodyear blimp will provide aerial coverage.

First Published: November 16, 2010, 5:00 a.m.