Happy New Year: Richmond and Maine kicked off the 2007-08 season in Memphis today in the first game of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. The Spiders beat Maine 44-42 as sophomore guard David Gonzalvez made two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining. Richmond won despite shooting 33.3 percent from the field and allowing Maine to grab 21 more rebounds. However, the Spiders forced 28 turnovers. Richmond will play Memphis for the right to go to New York for the finals of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament.
The Tigers manhandled Tennessee-Martin 102-71, led by Chris Douglas-Roberts, whose 28 points is more than either Maine or Richmond scored on their own in either half. Freshman guard Derrick Rose had a successful debut for the Tigers with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Skyhawks led by seven midway through the first half before Memphis took over with an 18-1 run. If the favorites win, Memphis would join Kentucky, Oklahoma and Connecticut in New York Nov. 15 and 16. [11/05/07]
