Robinson was one of the most sought-after high school prospects in the nation. He received All-American honors from Basketball Weekly and the Washington Post named him as one of the top 45 cage players in the Unites States. Robinson received many honors throughout his high school career at Welch High school. Among the honors, he was named captain of the West Virginia Class AAA and Big All-State squads, he was the recipient of the Bill Evans Award by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association as the top basketball player in the state, and he was named the Outstanding Basketball Player in West Virginia by the Morgantown Touchdown Club. As a senior, Robinson averaged 25.4 points per game in 21 games with a top effort of 52 points against Oceana. His junior year he averaged 19.1 points per contest as he led the Maroon Wave to the quarter finals of the state tournament and AAA All-State and Big All-State teams that year. Maurice scored a total of 1,748 points in 90 contests throughout his four year high school career, for a 19.4 points-per-game average.

Robinson finished his first season at WVU with 166 points in 23 games for a 7.2 points per game average. More importantly he grabbed 14 rebounds, fourth best on the team and he was the team's most consistent shooter with a 51.4 percent clip from the floor. Robinson came into his own down the final 10 games oh his freshman year. He established himself as a veteran when he sank two critical free throws in the last minute to help the Mountaineers defeat Syracuse after being down by 21 at the half on a regionally televised game. Returning for his sophomore year, Mountaineer coaches and fans alike were looking for tremendous things from him. That year, he went onto play in 27 games with his 522 minutes played, third in total playing time among returnees—Tony Robertson (863) and Russell Chapman (563). He averaged 6.4 points and pulled down a total of 154 rebounds for an average of 5.7.

His junior year Robinson , entered the season lighter than he was his sophomore year determined to improve. He wanted to raise his career scoring average of 6.8 and increase his rebounding from 5.9 per game. That year, Robinson was known as the director of the dunk at WVU as he led the Eastern Eight in field goal percentage with a 55.8 mark. That year, he averaged 15.5 points and 9.8 rebounds, and averaged 11.5 rebounds in league play. Robinson was also named to the first all league team and raised his career total to 790 which placed him within range of the magical 1000 mark a feat that graduated Tony Robinson had reached the season before. Mo scored a career high 29 points against Buffalo State but his most impressive effort may have been his 21 point-15 rebound performance in WVU's domination of Notre Dame. Returning his senior year, he was referred to as either Maurice, Mo or the center of attention. He was considered perhaps the best description of his talent was power and grace which could see him become WVU's first All American since Wil Robinson in 1972.