UR NOTES

Consistency enhances Butler's versatility

In three college seasons, Ryan Butler demonstrated he can score, dish eye-catching assists, handle the ball, rebound and defend inside and out.

But the 6-7 redshirt junior from Douglas Freeman High experienced difficulty putting the package together, until recently. Butler got his first start of the season Wednesday because of an ankle sprain suffered by 6-9 sophomore Justin Harper. Butler responded with 11 points and five rebounds in 31 minutes in a 71-67 win over Duquesne.

"I've just been trying to play hard, do whatever I can, whether it's making a big shot, guarding, or trying to get rebounds," Butler said.

In Richmond's past four games, Butler has averaged 10.5 points. Before that stretch, he had scored in double-figures only twice this season. Butler has taken the ball to the goal more often, a development that prevents defenders from crowding him at the 3-point line.

"The more aggressive he is, his confidence grows, and when he's confident, he's a really good player," said coach Chris Mooney, whose Spiders (4-5 in the A-10, 12-12) tonight play Dayton (8-2, 22-3).

Butler may get another start tonight, even if Harper's ankle is fit. Harper said after Wednesday's game that he felt comfortable coming off the bench. Harper scored 13 and had six rebounds in 20 minutes against Duquesne.

Mooney technicals on the downswing

Richmond's fourth-year coach picked up a technical foul from official Reggie Greenwood on Wednesday.

"I shouldn't have gotten that. I think it was a little bit out of frustration about how we were playing," Mooney said. "That's often how it is."

The Spiders fell behind 12-0, and Duquesne led 20-12 when Greenwood grew tired of Mooney's running commentary regarding the officiating. That was Mooney's second technical of the season, a significant improvement since his first season at UR. In 2005-06, Mooney was charged with six technical fouls, four during a five-game stretch.

Division I transfers were UR boosters

Mooney, at least so far, has been the only UR coach since Dick Tarrant not to bring in Division I transfers for a lift. Mooney recently suggested he has no objection to doing so. The fit of those interested in switching to Richmond hasn't been right, Mooney indicated.

Tarrant, who became UR's coach in 1981, had Tom Bethea (Villanova), Rodney Rice (Boston College) and Chris Fleming (Connecticut). Coach Bill Dooley had Kass Weaver (Wisconsin), Kevin Connor (Saint Joseph's) and Derrick Wall (Navy). Coach John Beilein had Kinte Smith (George Washington) and Greg Stevenson (Penn State). Coach Jerry Wainwright had Jamaal Scott (Cal Poly) and Tony Dobbins (Virginia Tech). He also brought in Oumar Sylla (Valparaiso), who played for Mooney.

-- John O'Connor