The term “giant killer” is sometimes overused in sports, but it’s one that perfectly embodies Richmond Spiders basketball. At times, the Spiders have been an afterthought, making it easy to find cheap Richmond basketball tickets. But the Spiders have also become one of the most intriguing mid-major programs in the country. When they get their chance in the spotlight, the Spiders don’t disappoint. No matter the opponent, you’ll never know what you might see when you score last-minute Richmond basketball tickets.

The Only One

A lot of mid-major college basketball programs have pulled off a notable upset or two over the years. However, Richmond is the only school to win at least one NCAA Tournament game as a 12, 13, 14, and 15 seed. It started in 1984 under head coach Dick Tarrant when the Spiders knocked off Auburn as a no. 12 seed. As a no. 13 seed in 1988, Richmond knocked off no. 4 Indiana and no. 5 Georgia Tech to reach the Sweet 16. In 1991, Tarrant and the Spiders made history yet again by becoming the first no. 15 seed to win a game in the NCAA Tournament.

Still a Threat

Many years after the best wins in program history, Richmond remains one of the marquee programs in the Atlantic 10 Conference. They are also a team that traditional heavyweights would prefer to avoid come March. Head coach Chris Mooney has provided stability for the Spiders, who regularly qualify for the postseason. Under Mooney, Richmond made another run to the Sweet 16 in 2011, getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a no. 12 seed before knocking off Vanderbilt and Morehead State to advance to the Sweet 16 for the second time in program history. With the way Mooney has built the program, the Spiders are a threat in any given year to play the role of a giant killer.