GETTING INSIDE
Playing what everyone believes is the toughest non-conference schedule in school history, Richmond has risen to challenge by winning nine of its first 12 games.
The 9-3 start is not bad at all and not all that surprising. With four starters back from last year’s 20-victory team—guards Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez plus forwards Kevin Smith and Ryan Butler—coach Chris Mooney was pretty sure that his troops could handle a take-on-all-comers approach to scheduling.
With those four starters back in the fold and center Dan Geriot, who is averaging 8.5 points per game after tearing up his knee before last season, Mooney knew that he had the troops to inject some life into Richmond’s RPI.
Things were going great as the Spiders got off to a 7-1 start, including a South Padre Island Tournament sweep of Mississippi State and Missouri, and a victory over CAA favorite Old Dominion to gain votes in both top 25 polls.
But back-to-back losses to quality opponents Virginia Commonwealth and South Carolina had some folks wondering if Mooney had overdone it just a bit.
Right then Richmond silenced its doubters with victories over Florida, holding Billy Donovan’s team to its lowest point total—53 points—in a loss in his 16 seasons in Gainesville.
The Spiders look like an NCAA tournament team right now. But to get into the Field of 65 come March, they need the rust to come off Geriot’s shot and they need to improve the team’s scoring balance.
The Spiders are too reliant on Anderson and Gonzalvez right now.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Richmond (9-3), which owns quality victories over Mississippi State, Missouri, Old Dominion and Florida this season, has a chance for another one when it travels to Wake Forest on New Year’s Eve.
• The Spiders have held the opposition to 63 points or fewer in all nine of its victories.
• Sophomore forward Darrius Garrett has a team-high 16 blocked shots this season.
January At A Glance: After spending New Year’s Eve at Wake Forest, the Spiders begin 2010 on the road with three winnable games at Bucknell on Jan. 2, at Duquesne on Jan. 6 and at St. Louis on Jan. 9 before playing three of their next four games at home. Obviously toughened up by their arduous non-league schedule, the Spiders should really take off on January as the friendly schedule lends itself to the real possibility of a 6-1 or 7-0 January.
Quote To Note: “Richmond is an NCAA Tournament-caliber team. There’s no question about it.”—Florida coach Billy Donovan, after Richmond beat his then-No. 13 Gators, 56-53, on Dec. 19.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: The Spiders are off to 9-3 start against a brutal non-conference slate, thanks to its combination of experienced players, stellar guard play and stingy defense. It seems like a recipe that should succeed in the A-10, especially once Dan Geriot peels all of the rust off his game after missing last season because of a torn ACL. Once he’s completely A-OK, he’ll give the Spiders four double-figure scoring threats each night.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—F Ryan Butler, F Justin Harper, C Dan Geriot, G Kevin Anderson, G David Gonzalvez. Key Subs—C Josh Duinker, F Greg Robbins, F Kevin Smith, F Darrius Garrett, F Francis-Cedric Martel.
Game Review:
South Carolina 76, Richmond 58
Richmond 56, Florida 53
Richmond 89, North Carolina-Greensboro 63
Game Preview:
Vs. North Carolina-Wilmington, Monday, Dec. 28
At Wake Forest, Thursday, Dec. 31
At Bucknell, Saturday, Jan. 2
At Duquesne, Wednesday, Jan. 6
At St. Louis, Saturday, Jan. 9
In Focus: The challenges just keep on coming for Chris Mooney’s squad. With victories over Mississippi State, Missouri, Old Dominion and Florida, the Spiders travel to Wake Forest on New Year’s Eve for the first of four consecutive road games.
Roster Report:
• Senior guard Kevin Hovde suffered a broken ankle during an October workout and is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-to-late January. The 6-6 Hovde, a former walk-on who blossomed into a scholarship player, played in 24 games last season for the Spiders, averaging 5.8 minutes. Richmond coach Chris Mooney said a medical redshirt year for Hovde is a strong possibility.
• Entering the Spiders’ Dec. 28 game against North Carolina-Wilmington, senior guard David Gonzalvez sat 14th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,387 points. He needs 21 points to move into 12th place.
• Richmond landed three players during the early signing period: 6-foot guard Cedrick Lindsay from Gonzaga (Md.) College Prep, 6-3 guard Wayne Sparrow of St. Frances (Md.) Academy (where he plays for former Temple star Mark Karcher) and 6-6 forward Derrick Williams from St. Anthony (N.J.) High School (where he plays for the legendary Bob Hurley Sr.).
