The University of Richmond men's basketball team this weekend begins on-court preparations for its playing tour of Spain.

The Spiders are scheduled to leave Aug. 10. They will play four games, facing one club team and three professional teams, in 10 days. The NCAA allows 10 practices before departure.

"Any time you can have your guys together and working on basketball, continuing to develop a competitive attitude and a competitive culture, I think that's always important," UR coach Chris Mooney said.

Programs are allowed to make an international trip every four years. Early in his UR tenure, Mooney, now entering his fourth season, planned the Spiders' trip for this summer so his first two recruiting classes would be able to participate and benefit.

Richmond's two incoming freshmen, 6-8 forward Darrius Garrett and 6-5 wing Francis-Cedric Martel, are not permitted to participate by NCAA rules because they are not yet full-time students. Redshirt freshman Josh Duinker, a 6-10 Australian, is able to participate because he was enrolled at UR during the spring semester.

Richmond finished fourth in the Atlantic 10 Conference last season (9-7), went 16-15 overall, and was chosen to participate in the inaugural College Basketball Invitation (66-64 first-round loss at Virginia). From that team, the Spiders lost starting forward Gaston Moliva and reserve forward Oumar Sylla. They were primarily defenders and rebounders.

While in Spain, "We're going to make sure everybody plays," Mooney said. "That doesn't necessarily mean every game, but I think we're going to make sure everybody plays. We'll shuffle some things around, try some guys in different places, use some different lineups.

"That's one of the advantages of a trip like this."

Another advantage: sightseeing. Mooney said the Spiders will have plenty of opportunities to do that "and time to experience the culture."

GERIOT A GO: Rising junior center Dan Geriot, a third-team all-A-10 pick last season, will play in Spain, according to Mooney. Geriot sprained the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a postseason workout and was held out of basketball activity for a month. Geriot last season was UR's top scorer (14.3 ppg) and rebounder (5.5 rpg).
Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or joconnor@timesdispatch.com.