Preview: Richmond Spiders at George Washington Revolutionaries

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — A key Atlantic 10 Conference matchup with revenge on the line is set for Saturday when the Richmond Spiders visit the George Washington Revolutionaries at the Charles E. Smith Center.

The Spiders (13-7, 3-4 A-10) enter looking to avenge a 99-85 home loss to the Revolutionaries just over three weeks ago on Dec. 31. Richmond has dropped three of its last four, including a heartbreaking 69-68 loss to Rhode Island on Wednesday where a last-second shot rimmed out.

Guard Aiden Argabright, Richmond’s player to watch, scored 20 points in that narrow defeat. He was held to just four points in the first meeting with George Washington but is averaging 13.1 points over his last eight games. The Spiders will need his offensive production to keep pace with a potent George Washington attack.

The Revolutionaries (12-7, 3-3) have also hit a rough patch, losing three of their last four after a 101-66 rout of Loyola Chicago on Jan. 10. They are coming off a 69-64 road loss at George Mason on Monday.

George Washington is led by forward Rafael Castro, who dominated the first matchup with Richmond, pouring in 27 points and grabbing six rebounds in 29 minutes. Castro is a force in the paint, recording double-doubles in two of his last five games, including a 26-point, 14-rebound performance against La Salle on Jan. 3. Containing him will be a primary focus for the Spiders’ defense.

Both teams sit in the middle of the congested A-10 standings and need a win to build momentum for the second half of the conference slate. George Washington has shown a high-powered offense, scoring 99 points in each of its last two meetings with Richmond dating back to last season.

The game will tip off at 2:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 24, in the nation’s capital. The Revolutionaries will look to protect their home court, while the Spiders aim to even the season series and climb back above .500 in conference play.