RICHMOND, Virginia (Ticker) -- Providence makes its first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament in four years when it visits Richmond in an opening round matchup.

The Friars (16-13) have made 15 previous appearances in the NIT and have won the championship in 1961 and 1963. Providence's last game in the NIT was a 92-86 setback at North Carolina State on March 10, 1999.

Providence has six of its last eight games and is led by Ryan Gomes, who averages 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Richmond is in the NIT for the third straight season and seventh time overall. In last season's NIT, the Spiders lost to Syracuse in the quarterfinals after defeating Wagner and Montana State.

Under first-year coach Jerry Wainwright, Richmond (15-13) was third in the Atlantic 10 Conference West Division. The Spiders, who got off to a 12-6 start with wins over Stanford and Xavier, are led by Mike Skrocki, who averages 11.5 points per game.

Providence posted an 84-55 home victory over Richmond on December 19, when Gomes collected 24 points and 17 rebounds.