The Spiders travel to Navy for their 2011-12 season opener Friday at 7 p.m. in Annapolis, Md.
The Latest:
- The Spiders begin their 92nd year of basketball Nov. 11 at Navy and hold an overall mark of 803-563-7 all-time. Richmond is 62-29 in season openers and 6-1 under head coach Michael Shafer.
- Abby Oliver grabbed second-team honors in the A-10 preseason poll as released by the conference on media day. Oliver is the Spiders’ top returner at 14.0 ppg and led Richmond in three categories last season. The Spiders were tabbed to finish eighth in the A-10.
- Shafer starts his seventh year at the helm of the Spiders and has guided Richmond to three-straight postseason appearances and 20-win seasons two of the last three years.
- Oliver will be looked to take the reigns this year as she led the team in long-range shots (52), three-point accuracy (41%) and free-throw percentage (83%). Oliver scored in double-figures 21 times in 2010-11, with six of those performances being 20-point or better games. Oliver posted the first double-double of her career against St. Bonaventure, which garnered her thefirst A-10 Player of the Week honor of her career.
- Eleven of Richmond’s 15 players are underclassmen, making it the youngest team in the Atlantic 10 and one of the youngest squads in the country.
- Richmond plays a challenging non-conference schedule, featuring nine teams that saw postseason action, three of which were NCAA participants. Richmond hosts three Virginia opponents in William & Mary, Virginia and Liberty. Six of the 14 squads the Spiders host saw postseason action last year.
The Teams:
- The two teams meet for the first time since 1986, when the Spiders defeated the Midshipmen, 75-61, at the Robins Center. The Spiders hold a 3-2 edge in the series.
- The defending Patriot League champion Midshipmen look to build upon its NCAA appearance from last season. The Mids lose Angela Myers and Cassie Consedine, who combined for over 2,500 points and 1,600 rebounds. The Midshipmen return preseason Player of the Year in Jade Geif.
- Both teams share opponents in William & Mary, GW, Fordham, Boston University and Lehigh.
Up Next:
- Richmond hosts its oldest rival in William & Mary at the Robins Center Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
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