NCAAB WED

Why has UR played so many tight ones?

•Generally, Richmond's games are relatively low-scoring and, therefore, more likely to be close. Possessions take longer than usual for both teams because the Spiders play a match-up defense that forces opponents to probe for shots, and Richmond (68.2 ppg) rarely pushes tempo. •Scoring spurts that can make games one-sided are often the result of transition hoops or 3-point runs. UR allows few quick conversions -- 19 fast-break points in four league games -- and has held opponents to 29.5-percent shooting from 3-point distance. Why has UR won many of its close games, including résumé-builders over Mississippi State (63-62), Missouri (59-52) and Florida (56-53)?

Good direction by experienced players who hit clutch free throws. Each of Richmond's starters has been a regular for at least two seasons, and all but junior forward Justin Harper are threeor four-year starters.

"They make the right pass. They're wonderfully coached," La Salle coach John Giannini said after his Explorers fell at UR 67-63 last Saturday. "Because they're veteran, even the situation doesn't make them uncomfortable."

Most instrumental in late-game success have been ball-handlers Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez. Together, the guards have 201 games of college experience. They take most of UR's crunch-time free throws, and the Spiders have made 79.4 percent from the line in the last five minutes of wins.

Charlotte (2-1, 12-5) doesn't do close games, for the most part. The Niners have double-digit wins in nine of 12 victories and double-digit losses in four of five defeats. Each of the past four games involving UR and Charlotte was decided by seven or fewer points. The Spiders won them all.