Location: Richmond, VA

Enrollment: 2,950

Founded: 1830

President: Dr. Edward L. Ayers

Athletic Director: Jim Miller

Athletic Web Sites: richmondspiders.cstv.com, richmond.rivals.com

Nickname: Spiders

Colors: Red and Blue

Arena: Robins Center

Capacity: 9,071

Average Attendance: 3,991

Head Coach: Chris Mooney

Overall Record: 79-93 (45.1% Winning Percentage)

Record at Richmond: 37-54

2007-2008 Record: 16-15 (9-7) CBI First Round

Assistants: Kevin McGeehan, Carlin Hartman, Jamal Brunt

ROSTER

1 Darrius Garrett FR PF 6-9 200 Raleigh, NC
4 Jarhon Giddings R-SR F 6-9 225 Clemmons, NC
*5 David Gonzalvez JR G 6-4 200 Marietta, GA/Notre Dame Prep (MA)
11 Josh Duinker R-FR C-F 6-11 220 Sidney, Australia
12 Kevin Smith SO WF 6-5 190 Murfreesboro, TN
*14 Kevin Anderson SO PG 6-0 170 Duluth, GA
15 Francis Cedric-Martel FR WF 6-5 200 Montreal
21 Kevin Hovde JR G/F 6-6 200 Kennett Square, PA
31 Conor Smith R-FR WF 6-9 210 Brookfield, WS
32 Justin Harper SO F 6-10 215 Richmond, VA
*44 Ryan Butler R-JR WG 6-7 200 Richmond, VA

*Returning starters

OVERVIEW

Chris Mooney’s rebuilding effort took root in his third year as the Spiders climbed out of the A-10 basement. After finishing 8-22 two years ago, Richmond posted a winning record and was even invited to a postseason tournament – the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

Building upon last year’s 16-15 record won’t be easy. Leading scorer and rebounder Dan Geriot (14.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg) injured a knee during the summer and will miss the season. The Spiders now have a gaping hole at center. A rising star, Geriot was a perfect fit for Mooney’s Princeton-style offense with his ability to play high or low.

“He’s a difficult player to replace,” Mooney said.

All is not lost. Every other key player returns, including one of the best starting backcourts in the league. Wing guard David Gonzalvez is a bigtime shooter in the clutch and sophomore point guard Kevin Anderson is a budding All-Conference player. The Spiders have a chance to match or exceed last year’s win total if those two players elevate their games. “We’ll build the team more around our speed and athleticism,” Mooney said.

The loss of Geriot, meanwhile, might not sting as much if a pair of promising youngsters pan out.

Sophomore big forward Justin Harper is more athletic and may be a better outside shooter than Geriot. And 6-11 import Josh Duinker, a versatile European-style bigmen who practiced with the team last spring, could provide the shot-blocking ability Geriot lacked.

“We’re very high on Josh Duinker,” said Mooney, who thinks the Australian will be a top contender for A-10 Rookie of the Year.

The Spiders will be young in the frontcourt, however, and they are not very physical. It would not be a surprise if Richmond struggled again on the boards. Last season the Spiders were outrebounded by 5.7 boards a game – easily the worst in the A-10.

Amazingly enough, it was better than the year before when Richmond was outrebounded by 10 boards a game.

DEPARTED PLAYERS

Gaston Moliva (4.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 56.6% FG). Strong fifth-year power forward gave the Spiders a physical presence. The 6-6 Moliva played solid interior defense (team-leading 30 blocks) and was the second-best rebounder. He didn’t score much but took high-percentage shots.

Oumar Sylla (5.3 ppg, 40% FG, 3.0 rpg). Jack-of-all-trades swingman was long and athletic but not especially skilled. His main forte was defense (33 steals). Because of his experience, Mooney often used Sylla late in games, but the former Valparaiso transfer did not always make smart decisions. He seemed to make one bad play for every good one.

Chris Richard – The 6-3 combo guard from Oregon got injured and redshirted, only to watch fellow frosh Kevin Anderson establish himself as the team’s point guard of the future. Said to be homesick, Richard decided to transfer to a school on the West Coast.

RETURNING PLAYERS

David Gonzalvez (11.7 ppg, 43% FG, 42% 3PG, 78% FT, 64 assists, 42 steals). Junior guard struggled a bit in the first half of the year, but he played much better in the second half to key the Spiders’ run. Gonzalvez scored in double figures in all but three of the final 16 games and hit a number of clutch shots, sometimes taking matters into his own hands and ending games with a flurry of baskets. He’s the kind of player who can be quiet for the first 33 minutes and explode in the last 7. Gonzalvez wants the ball in the waning moments and welcomes the pressure – the basic definition of a go-to player.

With Geriot out for the season, Gonzalvez needs to deliver consistently from the outset. A physical guard who can overpower defenders in the paint, he dramatically improved his long-range shooting, connecting on 42% of his 3-point attempts compared to just 30% as a freshman. And now he can rely even more on Kevin Anderson, the team’s terrific young point guard, to get him the ball in the right spots. Gonzalvez doesn’t have to try as hard as he did two years ago to create his own shots.

Gonzalvez could also help his team by playing smarter and crashing the boards. He fouled out of five games and committed a number of careless fouls, often by reaching in for steals. Gonzalvez can also do a better job on the boards (3 rpg). The Spiders were dead last in the A-10 and need everyone to pitch in.

Kevin Anderson (10.7 ppg, 39% FG, 30% 3PG, 94 assists, 68 turnovers). The 6-0 point guard, an unheralded recruit, exploded onto the A-10 scene and was named Rookie of the Year. Arguably the quickest player in the league, Anderson is a dynamic floor general who can split defenses and kick the ball out to teammates for open shots. He also showed surprising offensive prowess with his ability to finish off drives, draw fouls (82% FT) and even drill long-range jumpers. Although he shot 30% for the year from 3-point range, Anderson actually hit 42% of his treys in the final nine games. During that stretch he scored in double figures each game and averaged 15.3 points. Over the summer he picked up where he left off, leading the squad in scoring during a four-game trip to Spain.

As with all young guards, Anderson has to improve his decision making. He sometimes hurries too fast and doesn’t wait for teammates to catch up, leading to turnovers. He can be too quick to shoot the ball, especially when his team is losing. Anderson’s 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio is well below the level of a great point guard. The diminutive sophomore also has to play better overall defense, though he gives opponents fits with his quickness (55 steals).

Those shortcomings aside, Anderson seems to have all the tools to become a star, perhaps as early as this season. He thrives under pressure, and like Gonzalvez, he wants to take the big shot. If he knocks down 3-pointers regularly, he’ll be very difficult to contain.

Ryan Butler (5.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 38% FG, 34% 3PG). The 6-7 swingman made incremental improvements in areas such as passing and rebounding and he even notched 44 steals, but Butler’s sophomore year has to be considered a letdown. His hit fewer treys than his freshman year, his scoring fell slightly and his field-goal percentage dipped below 40%. In the final 12 games, he failed to reach double figures and was blanked in five of those contests.

Since almost 70% of the shots Butler has taken in his career are 3-pointers, he has to do better. Or he has to show more facets of his game. Butler is above-average athlete with long arms and good ball-handling ability. The Princeton-style offense seems tailor-made for a player with his size, versatility and intelligence. Instead he settles for long jumpers and rarely drives to the rim. That explains why he’s shot fewer than 35 free throws in each of his first two seasons. And while Butler generated lots of steals, he’s merely an average defender. He fouled out of three games and was in constant foul trouble.

Kevin Smith (4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 50.5% FG, 23% 3PG, 55 assists). Mooney has a knack for finding unheralded recruits who clearly are A-10 caliber players like David Gonzalvez, Kevin Anderson . . . and Kevin Smith. The explosive 6-5 sophomore gave his coming out party in January vs. Virginia Tech, when he scored a season-high 13 points and threw down a monster jam to spur the second-half comeback. He played increasingly steady minutes from that point on, taking time from Butler.

Smith is tough and physical but also talented and versatile. He’s a surprisingly good passer, attacks the glass and is one of the best young defenders in the league. (15 blocks, 24 steals). His biggest weakness is outside shooting, though Smith has solid form and should improve his 3-point percentage over time. He’s at his best on the fast break, cutting to the basket or flying in for putbacks. Mooney refers to him as a “glue player.” Smith does whatever the team needs and will see plenty of time in his second season.

Justin Harper (3.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 45% FG, 37% 3PG). The loss of Geriot won’t hurt as much if the gifted 6-10 Harper enjoys a breakout season. In the A-10’s sophomore class, the only bigmen with more talent are Temple’s Lavoy Allen and perhaps LaSalle’s Jerrell Williams. Harper is not as skilled as Geriot in the post, but he’s a much better athlete and a good outside shooter (16-43 3PG). He played steady minutes in the first half of the season and displayed enough all-round talent to suggest future all-conference potential. What Harper has to do in his second year is bring his game inside the paint and provide better defense and rebounding. The Spiders are somewhat soft in the middle at both ends of the floor and require better inside play to build upon last season’s winning record.

Jarhon Giddings (3.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 42.5% FG, 28% 3PG, 16 blocks). The 6-9 forward never lived up to his potential owing to chronic leg injuries, but he could play a bigger role in his final season. Giddings is an above-average athlete and a fairly good shooter. He doesn’t do anything great, but he rarely hurts the team. The question is whether Mooney will rely on his fifth-year senior or turn to more talented youngsters Harper and Josh Duinker. Giddings is the team’s strongest and most physically mature player, and even though he’s never spent much time in the paint, he’s not without low-post skills. He’s probably the best interior defender as well. Whatever the case, it’s not a bad problem for Mooney to have. Every A-10 team could use a player like Giddings on the bench.

Kevin Hovde (1.9 ppg, 56% FG, 5-12 treys,). Originally a recruited walk-on, Hovde played regularly in the first half off the season, then gave way to Kevin Smith and others. He’s a good shooter and solid all-round player but lacks the talent or physical gifts of his teammates.

NEWCOMERS

Josh Duinker – Australian center arrived last spring and practiced with the team in the second half of the season. Duinker is mobile and athletic and has a solid frame. He handles the ball well for a bigman and is good faceup shooter out to the 3-point line. His post game is a work in progress, but the Richmond system is better suited for versatile players who can produce from different spots on the floor. His defense is another question mark, though Duinker was a good shotblocker Down Under.

Darrius Garrett – The 6-8 Georgia native, a big leaper who dunks easily, was a rebounding and shot-blocking force in high school. The Spiders could use another great athlete like Garrett, especially if he hones his jumper. He improved so much in the past year that he’s been called a “steal” by at least one recruiting analyst. Garrett played on the same AAU team as current teammate Kevin Anderson.

Conor Smith – The Wisconsin native redshirted as a freshman and grew an inch to 6-9. A very good outside shooter, Smith hit 6 of 8 three-point attempts in one game and 7 of 9 attempts in another during the team’s summer tour of Spain. If he shoots that well in live competition, Smith will give Mooney another weapon to stretch defenses and create space for the backdoor cuts prevalent in a Princeton offense.

Francis Cedric-Martel – The Spiders went back to an old haunt to pick up the Canadian slasher. A jack-of-all-trades, Martel is a solid ball-handler and passer with 3-point range. He was also one of the top rebounders and shotblockers in his Canadian prep league. At Richmond, the 6-5 Martel is expected to play on the perimeter. Early reports say he’s looked good in practice, but if past experience of Canadian players is any indication, Martel will need time to adjust to the high level of U.S. hoops.

SCOUTING REPORT

Although Richmond was the third-lowest scoring team (63.7 ppg) in the A-10, the Spiders have plenty of talented offensive personnel. It all starts with Anderson, who’s supplanted Gonzalvez as the focal point of the offense.

Mooney doesn’t need Anderson to score 20 points a game. He needs Anderson to create for his teammates, make open 3-pointers and drive to the basket when the shot clock winds down. Before Anderson’s arrival, Richmond had few options when the Princeton offense failed to generate a good shot.

With Anderson running the show, Gonzalvez can focus on scoring. He turned the ball over frequently his first two seasons by trying too hard to create shots for himself or his teammates. Gonzalvez is far more effective when he lets the game come to him.

Good outside shooting is another strength. Gonzalvez hit 42% of his 3-point attempts and Anderson improved dramatically by season end. Butler, Harper, Giddings, Martell and Conor Smith are also capable of draining the triple.

Inside scoring and rebounding, however, have been a constant source of anxiety since Mooney took over the Richmond program three years ago. Part of the problem is the Princeton offense. It spreads the floor and pushes the bigmen away from the basket.

Harper and Duinker have the size to score inside and control the boards, but neither is a traditional low-post operator. The best inside player might actually be 6-5 sophomore Kevin Smith, a big leaper who likes to post up smaller defenders and hit the offensive glass.

The defense is no great shakes, either. The Spiders finished fourth in points allowed because they controlled the tempo, not because they shut teams down. Opponents shot 44.3% vs. the Spiders, putting the team ninth in the A-10 in field-goal percentage defense.

The saving grace: Richmond was second in the league in steals and finished second in turnover margin (+2.29). As a result, the Spiders averaged almost 3 more shots per game than their opponents. That’s a page right out of the Old John Chaney playbook.

PREDICTION

The Spiders won’t take a big step backward because of Geriot’s absence, especially since the team was able to play together without him during the four-game trip to Spain. It gave the players a headstart on adapting to new roles.

Yet it’s hard to see the program crawling any higher in the A-10 pecking order. The team tied for fourth place last season partly because of a favorable unbalanced schedule. Richmond won’t have that luxury a second straight year.

A middle-of-the-pack finish is probably a safe bet – with one caveat. Kevin Anderson looks like he might be something special, and special players make the sum of a team much great than its parts. The backcourt tandem of Anderson and Gonzalvez could take the Spiders far if they both deliver All-League performances.

WH’s

NONCON PREDICTION: 10-4

L – At Syracuse (CBE Classic)
W – At Florida Gulf Coast (Fort Myers, FL; CBE Classic)
W – vs. UMKC (Fort Myers, FL; CBE Classic)
W – vs. Bradley, (Fort Myers, FL; CBE Classic)
W – COPPIN STATE
L – At Old Dominion
W – DELAWARE STATE
W – VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
L – WAKE FOREST
W – BUCKNELL
W – At UNC-Wilmington
W – At VMI
W – RICE
L – Virginia Tech

I am somewhat aggressive on the Spiders’ noncon slate. Richmond starts off with four games in the CBE Classic. The A-10 beat Syracuse three times on its home floor last year and the Cuse almost lost a fourth time. I think the Orange will be ready for an A-10 team this time.

Next the Spiders clearly should beat inferior Florida Gulf Coast and UMKC teams. The matchup with Bradley should be tough, but I think Richmond has a bit more experience.

After that, the Spiders beat Coppin State, Delaware State, Bucknell and Rice at home. All are lesser teams. Richmond should also beat a rebuilding UNC-Wilmington and mediocre VMI team on the road.

I think the Spiders should beat ODU for a second straight year, but I resisted the urge. Instead I see Mooney finally beating VCU. Richmond is better than both teams, in my view, but these are regional rivalries.

Wake Forest is very beatable, young but loaded. Would be a signature win. Instead I play it safe. And the Hokies get revenge for their loss in Richmond last season. The rapidly maturing Tech team could be quite good in the ACC.