Spiders starting with respect of A-10 opponents

The Atlantic 10 Conference media day for men's basketball is a week from today, after which the University of Richmond officially will be recognized as a championship contender -- at least on paper.

UR probably will be handicapped as the 14-team league's third-place finisher, behind Dayton and Xavier. In four previous seasons with Chris Mooney as coach, the Spiders never have been so respected in October.

Four starters, including guards Kevin Anderson (16.6 ppg) and David Gonzalvez (16.0 ppg), return from a 20-16 team. Dan Geriot, a 6-9 junior who led Richmond in scoring (14.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg) as a sophomore, is back after missing last season because of a knee injury.

UR begins practice tomorrow. Yesterday, Mooney talked Spiders basketball as his team begins work toward a schedule that includes Mississippi State, South Carolina, Florida, Wake Forest, and perhaps Missouri, in addition to Xavier, Dayton, Virginia Commonwealth and Old Dominion.

. . .

Does the general perspective that the Spiders are equipped to finish near the top of the A-10 affect the way they approach the season?

"It's been what we've been building towards, so I think it's good that there's some recognition on the outside. But I don't think it changes, necessarily, how we've gone about our business. We've felt that we've been improving a lot over the last couple of years, and I would hope that we have the best sense of where we are."

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After some rebuilding years caused in part by attrition, UR has classes balanced, with three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen. How does that help the operation?

"That was one of the things that was a chief concern of mine, trying to get these classes balanced, though it would have been impossible to do that [immediately]. I do think it's important in this day and age in college basketball to have [class] balance so that everybody can kind of see a clear picture in front of them . . . That's been very important. Very difficult to mend, but I think we're in a pretty good spot."

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Is your practice planning influenced by the team's experience?

"Absolutely. When you're introducing your style, both as a coach and to new players, there's a certain way to go about it. Certain things are going to be important to get your program on track. When that's been done, when you feel confident, when you've improved, then I think it's a little bit more tangible results driven. 'These are the teams we're playing. This is why we need to be better than we've been in the past.'"

. . .

You have three local players on the roster: senior Ryan Butler (Douglas Freeman High), junior Justin Harper (Meadowbrook High) and freshman Darien Brothers (Benedictine High). Is that planned, or pieces just came together in their situations?

"I would say it's definitely planned. I think our most important recruiting area is Richmond. We recognize that there's talent in this area. We want to have as many of those guys on the roster as possible. We feel fortunate to have the three that we do."

. . .

Do you feel that Dan Geriot will be limited in any way because of the knee injury?

"No."

. . .

Mooney then reached to the table in front of him and knocked wood.