Atlantic 10 Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 11: (L-R) Marshall Wood #24 and Julius Johnson #32 of the Richmond Spiders react after a 87-77 overtime loss to the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 11, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

12. Richmond Spiders

2017-18 season record: 12-20 (9-9)

After a dreadful non-conference campaign, the Spiders were great in the A-10, finishing .500 with a handful of upsets along the way. All five starters averaged in double figures while playing in over 30 minutes a night. There was a chance that everyone could return but things always don’t work that way.

De’Monte Buckingham was an undersized forward who led the team with 7.0 rpg, while scoring 12.2 ppg and dishing out 3.4 apg. Unfortunately for Richmond fans he was dismissed from the program and went west to Cal State Bakersfield. Another departure (albeit voluntarily) was Khwan Fore, who left as a grad transfer this spring.

That leaves the trio of Jacob Gilyard, Nick Sherod and Grant Golden who combined to average over 40 ppg, 14 rpg and 7.5 apg. That ranks right up there as one of the best in the A-10 and will give fits to their opponents.

The problem is that outside of those three, there’s not much else going on with the roster. Rising senior Julius Johnson will become a starter again and Nathan Cayo will get more playing time as well. But this team was dominated on the boards at times while struggling to defend big men on the post. The size disadvantage will hurt Richmond next season unless Golden becomes a superstar who can will his team to wins.

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