The Richmond Spiders are going dancing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 following their win over the Davidson Wildcats to secure the Atlantic 10 title. The 6-seed completed a magical run to secure their spot and steal a bid from one of the many bubble teams still waiting to find out if they’ll make the cut.
The Spiders rallied from a six-point deficit in the final minute and a half to defeat top-seeded Davidson, 64-62. Matt Grace put Richmond ahead for good with a conventional three-point play with 19 seconds remaining.
Davidson had two chances to try and get even or win the game at the buzzer, but their last-second shot fell short.
Despite the loss, the Wildcats are considered a lock for the NCAA Tournament, making the Atlantic 10 a two-bid conference this year.
Of course, this means at least one bubble team that would have gotten into the Big Dance is now out, but such is the magic and misery of college basketball’s tournament season. Fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
The reaction from around the college basketball world to Richmond’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in over a decade was one of elation and excitement. Plenty of people started wondering which bubble team just got knocked out as well.
Given Richmond’s history of big upsets in the NCAA Tourney, you can be assured that no one wants to see them lined up across from them when the brackets are officially announced Sunday evening.
[Richmond]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.