University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Announced
08/21/2013 | Men's Basketball
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond faces five teams which played in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, including a home game with Minnesota of the Big Ten as part of the 2013-14 non-conference schedule, announced Wednesday.
A Classic Remade, the New Robins Center with its $17 million renovation will debut on Nov. 8 when the Spiders host Delaware. Richmond's first four games of the season will be in the New Robins Center, including back-to-back matchups with 2013 NCAA teams Belmont (Nov. 11) and Minnesota (Nov. 16).
Minnesota's visit to the New Robins Center will be the first time the Spiders have ever hosted a Big Ten team. Richmond's last win over a Big Ten team came over No. 8 ranked Purdue in the 2010 Chicago Invitational Tournament.
The Spiders will face perennial power North Carolina on Nov. 23 as part of the Hall of Fame Tipoff at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Montville, Conn. Richmond will play either Fairfield or defending National Champion Louisville on Nov. 24. The Spiders also host Belmont (Nov. 11) and Hofstra (Nov. 19) as part of the Hall of Fame Tipoff.
"We're excited about our non-conference schedule," head coach Chris Mooney said. "Once again we have some big names on the schedule and we are looking forward to hosting a Big Ten team in the New Robins Center. The Hall of Fame Classic is another great opportunity to play some of the bigger names in college basketball on a neutral court and we look forward to opening the season with four-straight home games to really give our fans and our players a chance to enjoy the renovated Robins Center."
Richmond's road schedule includes a visit to Wake Forest, a team the Spiders have defeated in each of the last three seasons. Non-conference play concludes with a trip to Gainesville Jan. 4, 2014 to play the Florida Gators, who made the Elite Eight last March. The Spiders defeated then No. 13 ranked Florida to win the Orange Bowl Classic in the 2009-10 season.
Chris Mooney will make a return trip to his former employer, the Air Force Academy, where he was on the staff for five years, including the 2004-05 season as the head coach. The Falcons are one of eight teams on the Spiders' non-conference schedule who played in the postseason last March.
The Atlantic 10 has announced its schedule pairings, but the dates will be announced shortly. The Spiders will play home-and-home conference series with Dayton, Fordham, St. Bonaventure and VCU.
Richmondwill also host George Washington, La Salle, Saint Joseph's and Massachusetts in the renovated Robins Center. The Spiders will travel to Duquesne, George Mason, Saint Louis and Rhode Island.
