A Rhode Island media outlet recently contacted Dick Tarrant. So did one in Oregon, and another in Colorado. It must be March.

The University of Richmond's winningest basketball coach directed the Spiders to NCAA tournament upsets of Auburn (1984), Indiana ('88), Georgia Tech ('88) and Syracuse ('91). Each March, Tarrant frequently is asked to explain UR's underdog formula to hoops fans from Sarasota to Seattle, via radio or print.

He most often is wanted as an interview subject in markets of No.15 seeds following Selection Sunday. The 1991 Spiders became the first No.15 seed to knock off a No.2 (Syracuse, which was ranked seventh nationally at the time).

"You just tell the players 'This is an opportunity we've never had before. We must take advantage of this opportunity by playing as near flawless as we can,'" Tarrant said.

At least on a neutral court, "It isn't often that the Richmonds of this world get a chance to play Indiana, or Auburn, or Syracuse," said Tarrant, who has remained a Richmond-area resident since retiring from UR following the 1992-93 season. "You just have to play very intelligently, and of course with 100 percent energy. There's no question you have to put out 40 minutes with everything you've got."

That'84 Auburn team started future NBA stars Charles Barkley and Chuck Person. The'88 Indiana outfit had Keith Smart and Dean Garrett back from the Hoosiers' 1987 national-championship team. All five starters from the'88 Georgia Tech team went on to NBA careers (Dennis Scott, Duane Ferrell, Tom Hammonds, Craig Neal, Brian Oliver). In'91, Syracuse was led by Billy Owens and LeRon Ellis.

A package of low turnovers, a high shooting percentage and very few missed free throws helps against opponents with superior talent and height, Tarrant added, "because you know you're going to get outrebounded." Defensively, Tarrant's teams overcame lack of size with sagging zones.

With wins over Gonzaga and Georgetown, Davidson has emerged as the Sweet 16 darling this March. The Wildcats, led by the prolific scoring of sophomore guard Stephen Curry, in many respects mirror the Richmond teams Tarrant took to NCAA glory.

"That's why I'm pulling for them so much," Tarrant said of the Wildcats. "Wonderful things can happen when guys all play together."

Davidson and UR's best teams share average athleticism and affiliation with mid-major leagues. UR made its NCAA splashes as a Colonial Athletic Association member. Davidson, which meets Wisconsin tomorrow night in Detroit, belongs to the Southern Conference.
Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or joconnor@timesdispatch.com.