UR scores early knockout of VMI

The 3-on-2 drill, usually seen only in practices, made an extended appearance last night at the University of Richmond.

Before 3,802 at the Robins Center, the Spiders sliced through VMI’s defensive pressure and finished at the ring in a 103-59 romp. UR (2-0) shot 71.4 percent in the first half (20 of 28), during which it outscored VMI 20-0 in a six-minute segment.

“If we’re putting on pressure and doing what we’re supposed to do, we’re pretty good,” said Keydets’ coach Duggar Baucom. “But when we’re a step slow, we’re pretty ugly. And tonight, it got ugly quick.”

The Spiders last rang the 100-point bell when beating George Mason 105-91 in 1996. That Mason team emphasized defensive pressure, 3-point-shooting and hyper-tempo, as does VMI (1-1).

“I’m more surprised that we held them under 60 than I am that we scored 100,” UR coach Chris Mooney said.
Richmond made a school-record 31 assists. Dan Geriot, 6-9, grabbed 17 rebounds and had 17 points. Justin Harper, 6-10, scored 21. That they are UR’s top interior players is relevant, since VMI’s tallest starter was 6-6. Geriot and Harper combined to make 16 of 22.
“Coach definitely stressed that to us in practice, saying ‘Use our size to our advantage. Pound the ball inside as much as we can,’” Harper said. “That was our main priority.”

Richmond outscored VMI 60-14 in the paint. After leading 14-11, the Spiders went on a 26-2 run, and 21 of those UR points came on layups or free throws. UR led 50-29 at halftime.

“We had no answer,” Baucom said. The Keydets’ starters missed 27 of 33 shots, 15 of 18 from 3-point distance, and had eight rebounds.

The key to handling VMI’s defensive heat was “attacking their pressure with our pressure,” according to Richmond point guard Kevin Anderson (eight assists). With the ball in his hands, UR was purposeful, quick but not rushed. The Spiders didn’t wear down because quality depth appears to be a strength of this team.

“Everyone can fill a role,” said Ryan Butler, a fifth-year senior forward.
When these teams met last New Year’s Eve in Lexington, the Spiders couldn’t hold a seven-point lead in the final three minutes. VMI won 73-70. This season, the Keydets are without 6-4 twins Chavis and Travis Holmes and 6-6 Willie Bell, a trio responsible for a per-game average of 50 points.

To compensate, VMI is trying to accelerate its pace. It led the nation in scoring offense (93.8 ppg), 3-pointers (13.7 per game), and steals (14.2 spg) last season.

“Credit them,” Baucom said of the Spiders. “They came out and forced their will upon us.”
       

Next: UR plays at William and Mary on Thursday. The Tribe (0-2) lost at Connecticut and Harvard. VMI, picked to finish fifth in the Big South Conference, entertains West Virginia Wesleyan tomorrow at 7 p.m.

VMI (1-1)

3-point goals -- VMI (13-37): Gabriel 5-10, Gore 2-4, Lonon 1-1, Whiting 1-1, Houston 1-2, Blosser 1-2, Burks 1-4, Sparks 1-5, Carr 0-1, Okoye 0-3, Kenon 0-4. Richmond (6-19): Gonzalvez 2-5, Duinker 1-1, Robbins 1-2, Butler 1-2, Harper 1-4, Martel 0-1, Anderson 0-1, C. Smith 0-3.

Turnovers -- VMI (20): Gabriel 5, Lonon 4, Carr 3, Burks 2, Kenon 2, Okoye, Houston, Gore, Sargent. Richmond (16): Harper 6, K. Smith 3, Geriot 2, Brothers 2, Gonzalvez, Anderson, Robbins.

Blocked shots -- VMI (4): Sargent 2, Gabriel, Whiting. Richmond (3): Harper, Anderson, Brothers.

Steals -- VMI (8): Burks 3, Houston, Sparks, Lonon, Gabriel, Gore. Richmond (12): Gonzalvez 4, Butler 2, Anderson 2, K. Smith 2, Martel 2.

A -- 3,802.