Atlantic 10 Tournament: Richmond vs. Charlotte

What: Richmond (18-13, 8-8) vs. Charlotte (20-10, 8-8) Where: Barclays Center When: Thursday, March 14th at 12:00 PM Watch: NBC Sports Network #8 seed Richmond kicks off the 2013 Atlantic 10 Tournament against #9 Charlotte in Brooklyn as the Spiders try to pick up a rare road win and extend their season. The Rundown Charlotte […]

March 14, 2013; 12:44 AM • by Ross Catrow

• What: Richmond (18-13, 8-8) vs. Charlotte (20-10, 8-8)
• Where: Barclays Center
• When: Thursday, March 14th at 12:00 PM
• Watch: NBC Sports Network

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#8 seed Richmond kicks off the 2013 Atlantic 10 Tournament against #9 Charlotte in Brooklyn as the Spiders try to pick up a rare road win and extend their season.

The Rundown

Charlotte started the season on a school record 9-0 run, but they finished the season 20-10, winning just four of their last ten games. The last time the Spiders faced the 49ers (January 19th) Charlotte suffered a 20-point beat down and their first of eight conference losses. Charlotte was picked to finish 12th in the A-10 this year, so their ninth place finish is definitely an improvement but still a let down from their early season success.

Offensively, the 49ers have struggled. They are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country (344th in the nation), and they don’t take many looks from beyond the arc. They have 105 made 3-pointers this season (343rd in the nation). For comparison, Darien Brothers has 80 made 3-pointers this season. When they do score, they attack the rim, they score in transition, and they lead the A-10 in FTA/FGA (they draw a ton of fouls).

If the Spiders win it will be Charlotte’s last game in the A-10, as they’re headed to Conference USA.

The Star: #15 Pierria Henry (PG, Sophomore)

10 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.8 SPG

Pierria Henry was a VCU commit out of West Virginia–and he fits the HAVOC mold perfectly. Henry ranks 7th nationally in steals and steals per game. He steals, he rebounds, he scores, he’s all over the place. Henry’s notched a double-double in the previous two games–both Charlotte victories.

Supporting Cast

#14 Terrence Williams (G, Sophomore) • The 49ers are not a great 3-point shooting team, and Terrance Williams is not a great 3-point shooter–hitting just 20% on the season.

#42 Darion Clark (F, Sophomore) • Clark is solidly built and good at getting to the free-throw line when he’s on the court, but he’s not the best free throw shooter (45%). Clark has attempted zero shots from 3-point range this season.

#35 Chris Braswell (F, Senior) • Braswell is the 49ers’ leading scorer and has scored double digits the previous three games, including dropping 28 against Duquesne on March 6th.

#21 Willie Clayton (F, Freshmen) • Clayton boasts an 16% offensive rebounding percentage which ranks 13th nationally. As a team, the Spiders are one of the worst offensive rebounding teams in the nation. Big men Derrick Williams, Alonzo Nelson-Ododa, and Trey Allen will have their work cut out for them.

The Prediction

Richmond has the experience and the players to win this game. But you can’t overlook Richmond’s absolutely abysmal road record. Anytime the Spiders leave the confines of The Robbins center, things go in the crapper: Richmond is just 3-10 in road games. KenPom picks UR to win with a 68% chance of victory.

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Charlotte Profile

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Enrollment: 25,277
• All time series: UR leads 26-15.
• Last meeting: 1/19/03. UR won 81-61.

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