Spiders earn No. 7 seed, date with Saint Mary’s
For the first time since 2004, the Richmond Spiders are going dancing in March. But the selection committee did them no favors, pitting them against the WCC tournament champion Saint Mary’s Gaels in the first round in a 7-vs-10 matchup.
Richmond has had a great season to date, capped by a run to the Atlantic 10 final. And despite a difficult first round matchup and potential second-round affair against No. 2 Villanova, the Spiders are a popular upset choice to make a deep run in the tournament. Sporting a talented team from top-to-bottom and a modified version of the Princeton offense that makes life hell for opposing defenses, it’s easy to see why. And there’s also a 6-2 record against NCAA Tournament teams to boot.
But the Gaels are also talented and deep, led by center Omar Samhan. Simply put, he’s a load inside and Richmond will have its hands full trying to stop him. Saint Mary’s has surrounded him with sharpshooters on the perimeter, making its offense difficult to stop. But what could give Richmond problems is its 3-point shooting defense, which is the best in the nation. The Spiders’ guards make it happen from deep and off the dribble, but might have to rely more heavily on the latter in this contest.
This game could go either way, but regardless, expect the victor to push Villanova in the second round.
