Let’s Get This Party Started: The first games of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic kicked off the 2006-07 season Tuesday, with Maryland smacking Hampton 102-75 and Vermont cruising past New Orleans 82-65. The Terrapins and Catamounts will meet later today in a regional final of the tournament, with a trip to New York on the line. Opening at home in College Park, Maryland looked impressive, with six players scoring in double figures. Senior guard D.J. Strawberry led the team with 19 points. Hampton sophomore guard Demario Mattox led all scorers with 21 points. As a team, the Pirates shot only 30.7 percent from the field.
Vermont coach Mike Lonergan returned to College Park, where he was an assistant to the Terrapins’ Gary Williams prior to becoming the head coach in Burlington. Lonergan will have an opportunity to upset his mentor after Vermont manhandled the Privateers. Freshman forward Joe Trapani led Vermont with 20 points. The Catamounts dominated New Orleans in the paint, taking a 37-23 advantage in rebounds. Vermont’s second chances following offensive rebounds and timely three-point shooting buried New Orleans. [11/08/06]
