Episode 28 of Spiders Sound Off brings a packed show featuring an in-depth conversation with Jim Merritt, Associate Athletics Director for Basketball Development. Tom and Porter dig into Richmond’s brand-new Men’s and Women’s Basketball Student-Athlete Development Funds, how revenue sharing will work, and what this all means for recruiting, retention, and the long-term health of Spider basketball. Jim breaks down donor benefits, the shift away from the old collective structure, and how alumni events around road games are becoming big engagement wins.

Then the guys preview a massive weekend:– The women at Liberty, a rebounding machine with size, shooting, and a turnover problem the Spiders MUST exploit.– A deep dive on Southern Illinois for the men: tough interior play, low three-point usage, and two giant Aligbe brothers waiting in the paint.

On today’s episode of Spiders Sound Off, Tom and Porter return to Henrico Studios on a tough Sunday after the women’s team takes a rare home loss to Fairfield. The guys break down what went wrong, what Fairfield did right, and why—despite the sting—this result isn’t anywhere close to fatal for at-large hopes. They also hit the reset button and pivot to the men’s gritty win over ODU, spotlighting the emergence of Walz, Daughtry’s impact, Argabright’s absurd ability to draw fouls, and the halftime mascot game we won't ever forget.

Tom and Porter return for a midweek Spiders Sound Off to celebrate a massive stretch for both programs. The guys recap the men’s statement road win at Belmont — the 75-foot Walls miracle, David Thomas’ breakout, Johnston’s takeover late, and the team officially graduating from “above average” to “good.” They preview the potential trap game vs ODU and emphasize the importance of avoiding a letdown.

On the women’s side, they break down the dominant demolition of Loyola Chicago, Ullstrom’s early scoring burst, Alicia Newell’s defensive gem, and the bench development strategy as Richmond climbs to No. 37 in the NET. Sunday’s showdown with Fairfield — a true at-large résumé game — is circled in red ink.

The Spiders head into the holiday stretch with a perfectly uneven weekend: both the men and women split their Thanksgiving trips, showing flashes of brilliance mixed with “let’s forget that happened” moments. Tom and Porter break down the Furman frustration, the Charlotte bounce-back, and why Daughtry going downhill should be a mandatory possession every game. On the women’s side, Maggie Dugan continues her national takeover while the Spiders regroup after running into TCU’s buzzsaw before absolutely torching Green Bay. We preview a winnable A-10 opener for the women, a massive early-season road test at Belmont for the men, and—most importantly—discuss Mooney’s wardrobe strategy.

In this Thanksgiving special, Tom and Porter break down Richmond’s men’s and women’s tournament week — the guys heading to Orlando for the Terry’s Chocolate Invitational and the women traveling to Cancun for a top-10 showdown with TCU. They dive deep into matchups with Furman, Illinois State, Charlotte, and Green Bay, explain why bench minutes matter, and unveil the first-ever PFF. They also go around the A-10, celebrate Spider Nation (especially Pittsburgh!), and wrap up with some thanks. It’s the perfect episode to pair with turkey, pie, and two full days of Spider hoops.

On Taylor Swift night, the Spiders women “shake it off” after a sluggish first half and, with a deep breath in the huddle (courtesy of Maggie), remember that “happiness is a butterfly”—and pull away from Navy in the fourth. Ally Sweeney goes “fearless,” attacks downhill, and turns the game into her own “Mastermind” performance.

Meanwhile, the men blow out Gardner-Webb like they decided it was time to “burn this city to the ground,” with everyone contributing and Coach Mooney’s bench rotations proving that “we never go out of style.”

Coach Aaron Roussell then joins the show and talks culture, development, and Cancun prep with a vibe that says, “Are you ready for it?” And of course, concessions reviews return—because on Taylor Swift Night, the chicken tenders were “enchanted to meet you.”

Tom and Porter break down a dominant week in the Robins Center. The women rolled past Temple behind Maggie Dugan’s spectacular 31–14–9 performance, one of the best games in program history. The men followed with their most complete showing of the season, cruising past VMI with 12 players scoring and a surge in shooting and rebounding.

Then they look ahead to the weekend: the men hosting Gardner-Webb on Saturday and the women facing undefeated Navy on Taylor Swift Day Sunday. Arena food reviews, fan turnout, and A-10 news round out another fun episode—all building toward a big hoops weekend where, yes, you belong at the Robins Center.

The Spiders roll into New York and leave Columbia with a W. Tom and Porter break down Richmond’s statement 10-point road win, highlighted by Alicia Newell’s breakout defensive masterpiece, Maggie Doogan’s milestone night, and Ally’s best performance of the young season. The guys also look ahead to a dangerous Temple matchup for the women and a three-happy VMI men's squad coming to the Robins Center. Plus: early A-10 storylines, what the new recruiting classes mean for both programs, and a critical early-season question… will Falcon Smash be back at the Robins Center?

Tom and Porter are back in the Henrico Studios breaking down a busy Spider week — with a road trip recap from Williamsburg, a men’s nail-biter at the Robins Center, and a deep dive on the Columbia matchup. They talk Maggie Doogan’s monster start, Rain Wright’s flashy footwear, and the mysterious disappearance of Falcon Smash. Plus: Tom’s student attendance tracker, Porter’s lobster ravioli scouting report, and the eternal question — is barbecue redemption possible

Porter and Tom have their first post-game podcast and celebrate a 3-0 home week while pretending the women’s loss at Texas never happened.