Richmond Basketball: 3 takeaways from stunning blowout to No. 11 West Virginia

3. Tyler Burton was placed into the starting lineup unexpectedly just a month before the season – and has surpassed expectations

Richmond’s national expectations were greatly diminished with the injury to Nick Sherod, the team’s best three-point shooter last season, just a month before the start of the season.  But his replacement, sophomore forward Tyler Burton, has succeeded in becoming an integral part of the starting lineup.

After averaging just 4.6 points last year and seeing 14.1 minutes of action per game, Burton has upped his average this season by almost ten whole points – and has improved every step of the way.  After scoring seven points in the season-opener against Morehead State, Burton has recorded double-digits in the four games since – including a career-high 21-points against Northern Iowa.

Burton was a bright spot for the Spiders against West Virginia, recording 14 points (tied for the team-high with Cayo) and a career-high 10 rebounds.  Of Richmond’s starters, he was the closest to being positive, being a minus-13 for the game.

Obviously, that is not a great mark, but it is extremely optimistic for Spider fans to see Burton succeed and flourish so early on in the season – and especially for being the only non-senior in the starting lineup.  He has meshed in extremely well, and has thrived offensively – he shoots 54.2% on effective field goals, as well as 86.7% from the charity stripe.

Burton’s successful implementation has been crucial for a Richmond team still looking for Blake Francis and Jacob Gilyard to return to form, and it indicates that the future of the Spiders is in good hands.

The Spiders will have to fix their issues quickly, especially if they hope to still be considered a national powerhouse this season.  They have challenging – but winnable – tilts against Vanderbilt, Duquesne, and Hofstra coming up before the holidays – and will tip-off the A-10 season with a daunting showdown at Davidson.