Several recent items provoke thought:

• A story appearing in the Sports section had implications for the Business pages or, for that matter, general state news. The Atlantic 10 Conference—known primarily as a pesky basketball league whose members include the University of Richmond—announced it was moving its headquarters from Philadelphia to Newport News. Although Philly lies far closer to the A-10’s heartland, and contains three of its teams, cost considerations contributed to the decision. The economic consequences do not rank with the new Rolls-Royce plant for Prince George, but the relocation reflects Virginia’s reputation for hospitality to business, and for agreeable quality of life.

Bernadette McGlade was named Atlantic 10 Conference commissioner June 2, 2008. Soon after, she began studying the league’s operations “from top to bottom,“ according to University of Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller. Among McGlade’s conclusions was that the A-10 could function more economically by moving its league office from Philadelphia.

No change in league philosophy or membership is anticipated. But the Atlantic 10 Conference office will move from Philadelphia, its home since 1995, to Newport News. The A-10, to which the University of Richmond belongs for sports other than football, will formally announce the relocation and details tomorrow. League officials Monday night and yesterday chose not to confirm the change or comment on it. The A-10 office, on several fronts, can operate at less expense in Newport News, and that appears to be the primary motivation for the switch. The office location is flexible, as it does not significantly impact how the office serves member schools.

Basketball players get comfortable with off-hand lay-ups in middle school. So, in a way, University of Richmond junior Dan Geriot went back to middle school this summer. Geriot seriously injured his right knee last July, required surgery and missed what would have been his junior season after leading the Spiders in scoring (14.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg) as a sophomore. One of the most challenging aspects of the comeback for Geriot, who’s right-handed, was re-mastering the left-handed lay-up.

Sweaty Justin Harper yesterday left a 90-minute session in the Robins Center weight room holding a turkey sandwich in one hand and a protein shake in the other. This snapshot reflects what Harper and the University of Richmond basketball program are about this offseason. The 6-9 rising junior aims to get stronger and heavier. Harper, a graduate of Meadowbrook High, appears to be succeeding. His arms and chest are clearly thicker. When the Spiders last played, in a loss to Texas-El Paso in a March 25 College Basketball Invitational semifinal, Harper weighed 207 pounds. He now checks in at 225. Harper intends to gain another 5 before October.

University of Richmond basketball coach Chris Mooney said he wanted his 2009-10 team challenged by a demanding schedule. The Spiders, with four starters back and Dan Geriot returning from a knee injury, will be. They’ll be playing what could be considered the toughest schedule in program history. In games apart from its 16-game Atlantic 10 Conference obligation, UR will meet Florida, Wake Forest, South Carolina, Mississippi State and maybe Missouri in addition to Virginia Commonwealth and some other traditional opponents. The Spiders’ A-10 schedule is expected to be released in mid-August.

    ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – In a clawing, scratching kind of game, one good offensive spurt and 15 offensive rebounds by Dayton tripped the University of Richmond.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. In a clawing, scratching kind of game, one good offensive spurt and a slew of offensive rebounds by Dayton tripped the University of Richmond. In the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament last night, the Spiders fell 69-64 before 4,333 at Boardwalk Hall. Third-seeded Dayton (26-6) outscored sixth-seeded Richmond (18-15) 6-0 during a quick burst with about 13 minutes left, and that was about all that separated these defensive-minded teams.

Ryan Butler’s stealing secret? “He’s a lot smarter than other players on the court,“ said Spiders guard Kevin Anderson, who wasn’t kidding. Butler, a 6-7 junior from Douglas Freeman, made 5 steals in UR’s 65-49 win over St. Bonaventure Wednesday night in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, “and he must have deflected two or three other balls,“ said Richmond coach Chris Mooney.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—In a clawing, scratching kind of game, one good offensive spurt and a slew of offensive rebounds by Dayton tripped the University of Richmond. In the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament Thursday night, the Spiders fell 69-64 before 4,333 at Boardwalk Hall. Third-seeded Dayton (26-6) outscored sixth-seeded Richmond (18-15) 6-0 during a quick burst with about 13 minutes left, and that was about all that separated these defensive-minded teams. Duquesne, coached by former Virginia Tech guard Ron Everhart, won last night’s third quarterfinal and will face Dayton here Friday night at 9 in the semifinals.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—A Ryan Butler steal started a University of Richmond fast break. Kevin Anderson took a couple of dribbles and whipped the ball behind his back to David Gonzalvez for a layup. That sequence early in the second half gave UR a 13-point lead Wednesday night over St. Bonaventure and reflected the Spiders’ advantages in their 65-49 win. Before about 1,000 at Boardwalk Hall in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, sixth-seeded Richmond (18-14) advanced behind the defense of Butler (5 steals, 6 rebounds) and the offense of guards Anderson (22 points) and Gonzalvez (18 points).

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—A Ryan Butler steal started a University of Richmond fast break. Kevin Anderson took a couple of dribbles and whipped the ball behind his back to David Gonzalvez for a lay-up. That sequence early in the second half gave UR a 13-point lead last night over St. Bonaventure and reflected the Spiders’ advantages in their 65-49 win. Before about 1,000 at Boardwalk Hall in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, sixth-seeded Richmond (18-14) advanced behind the defense of Butler, who had five steals, and the offense of guards Anderson (22 points) and Gonzalvez (18 points).

The agenda-topper to the Atlantic 10 Conference athletic directors’ meetings in Atlantic City, N.J., this week is tournament site. This is the third and final year of the contract involving the A-10 at AC and Boardwalk Hall, which has averaged about 5,500 per session. Athletic directors are expected to hear presentations from Atlantic City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Springfield, Mass., Dayton, Ohio, and Cincinnati.

University of Richmond sophomore guard Kevin Anderson yesterday was named second-team all-Atlantic 10 Conference, an honor that’s a run-up to a bigger one, in the estimation of Xavier coach Sean Miller. “He’ll be the player of the year in our conference before his career is over,“ Miller said of the 6-footer who was named 2008 A-10 rookie of the year.