Repeat after me: Do not overlook Richmond. Do not overlook Richmond. Do not overlook Richmond.The Spiders are a tough team and if the Dukes take it easy on Saturday night they will have a repeat of their trips to Olean and the Bronx, (loses to St. Bonaventure and Fordham.) Richmond has won 8 of their last 12 games with big wins over Dayton, Virginia Tech, and Charlotte. The Spiders are very young: 81 percent of their scoring comes from freshmen and sophomores and they have just three scholarship players in their junior and senior years. Richmond's top five scorers are freshmen or sophomores.
Richmond is 12-10 overall, 5-4 in the A10, and 4-5 on the road this year. Richmond's leading scorer is 6'9 235 pound sophomore forward Dan Geriot. Geriot averages 14ppg and 5.3rpg. It is no secret that the Dukes have struggled with tough big men this year, specifically Fordham's Bryant Dunston and Rhode Island's Will Daniels. I am not sure if Geriot is quite at the level of Dunston and Daniels yet, but needless to say he represents another talented A10 post player.
Geriot is from Springfield, PA just outside of Philly.
I have read that the Spiders like to play a zone defense which is something that the Dukes have struggled playing against this year. UMass switched zones throughout the game against Duquesne and the Dukes could never adjust. I can only assume Coach Everhart has been working with the Dukes on playing against the zone.
If you thought that Kieron Achara was the longest tenured player in the A10 you would be wrong. Kieron started his career at Duquesne back in 2003-04, the same year that Gaston Moliva started at Richmond. The 6'7 240 pound Moliva missed last season with an injury and received a medical hardship waiver to play this year. Moliva has started every game but one this year but doesn't contribute much on the offensive side of the floor, he is averaging 4ppg for the season.
I will be at the game on Saturday in my normal seat in Section A3. Anyone who wants to join me at Shale's for a pre-game adult beverage is more than happy to stop by. As always I'll be wearing my throwback Norm Nixon jersey.
If you thought that Kieron Achara was the longest tenured player in the A10 you would be wrong. Kieron started his career at Duquesne back in 2003-04, the same year that Gaston Moliva started at Richmond. The 6'7 240 pound Moliva missed last season with an injury and received a medical hardship waiver to play this year. Moliva has started every game but one this year but doesn't contribute much on the offensive side of the floor, he is averaging 4ppg for the season.
I will be at the game on Saturday in my normal seat in Section A3. Anyone who wants to join me at Shale's for a pre-game adult beverage is more than happy to stop by. As always I'll be wearing my throwback Norm Nixon jersey.
Saturday night is "Hat Night" at the Palumbo Center.
1 comment:
Do you hear a buzz for this game?
We are the only game in town tomorrow night. I hope others hear the buzz!!
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