University of Richmond Athletics
Ask the AD!
July 27, 2004
Jim:
Where can we look forward to seeing the Spider basketball teams in the future? Will the men's team play more Kansas-type matchups? How will our recruiting strategies change if we truly want to become a national program? What about looking to more transfers like Tony Dobbins and Jamaal Scott? What has to happen for the women to make the Big Dance next season?
Mark Naylor
Indianola, Iowa
Jim's Response
Mark:
Since joining the Atlantic 10 for the 2001-02 season, both our men's and women's basketball programs have escalated to a national level. The men's team has advanced to the post-season each of the past four years while our women's team has won five post-season games the last two winters.
We are a national program. We recruit the same student-athletes that schools in the ACC, Pac 10 and the other power conferences are recruiting. Recruiting is a complicated process, but being able to say we compete in the Atlantic 10 and that we earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, in addition to outstanding academics that are offered at the University of Richmond, makes this a very attractive place.
Coach Jerry Wainwright has always challenged his program with difficult schedules. He is not afraid to take his teams anywhere at any time. In the past two years we have played Kansas, Stanford, Wake Forest, Providence, Colorado and many other elite teams. I would expect that philosophy to remain constant.
As for transfers, we have been very fortunate recently by bringing in players who not only fit the system but are exceptional people. We have recruited two next year, one from Valparaiso and one from Washington State.
Our women's team was extremely close to making the NCAA Tournament last winter. I believe they were the 65th team on the committee's board. By advancing to the WNIT semifinals, Coach Boyle and her team solidified this program as a contender for the NCAA Tournament next season.
Thank you for the questions. Please enjoy two tickets to a Spider athletic home contest courtesy of Ask The AD.
Jim Miller