2k Sports College Hoops Classic

MAINE vs. RICHMOND

Time, site: Monday, 4 p.m., FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn.

Records: Maine 12-18 (2006-07), Richmond 8-22

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Junior Bernal (9.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 spg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane-Bofia (7.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-5 G Mark Socoby (6.9 ppg, 1.3 apg), 6-3 G Robby Hanzlik (1st season), 6-7 F Troy Barnies (1st season), 6-9 C Brian Andre (3.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Richmond – 6-9 F/C Dan Geriot (11.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 6-4 G David Gonzalvez (9.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-6 F/G Ryan Butler (6.9 ppg), 6-7 F Oumar Sylla (6.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 6-6 F David Brewster (4.5 ppg).

Outlook: The Black Bears have the honor of playing the Spiders in the season’s first Division I game. The contest is part of the 2k Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting the Coaches vs. Cancer program. It is the earliest season opener in Maine men’s basketball history. Maine will try to build off its effort in Friday’s exhibition win over Dalhousie during which underclassmen accounted for 58 points. Richmond is a young squad with four returning sophomore starters. The Spiders run the much-respected Princeton offense, which can give opponents fits. Maine will have to deal with a patient Richmond attack that sets lots of screens and looks for high-percentage shots while taking lots of time off the clock. The Bears hope Bernal, who has been nursing an undisclosed injury during preseason, will be ready to handle point guard duties and provide much-needed leadership on a youthful ballclub. Third-ranked host team Memphis and Tennessee-Martin play in today’s second game, with the winners and losers advancing to play in Tuesday’s second round.