COACHES vs. CANCER PREVIEW | Nov. 17, 2004
Semifinals | Thursday, ESPN2, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Consolation | Friday, ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Championship | Friday, ESPN2, 9:15 p.m.
I can't wait to get to New York City and Madison Square Garden for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic semifinals and championship game!
It's the start of my 26th season calling games for ESPN, and I've had quite a run. I've had more fun than anyone could imagine! I was at a motivational seminar for Aramark on Tuesday, and I spoke after four-star general Norman Schwarzkopf. People there were excited about the college basketball season, baby!
There is a feeling of passion as we start this season. There are so many stars coming back and so many quality teams out there.
Let's look at this week's Coaches vs. Cancer semifinals in the Big Apple on Thursday night.
Memphis vs. St. Mary's-California
The Gaels are the Cinderella story here. Who would have thought coach Randy Bennett's team would make it to the Garden? But the win over California shouldn't be that surprising. St. Mary's won 19 games last season and gave Arizona a scare in Tucson before losing by just six points.
Bennett's kids have to be enthused, and he's pleased with the way his team has played defensively. This club will be even stronger later in the season when three players return to the lineup.
Six-foot-8 Frederic Adjiwanou is sitting out the first four games because of a prior transfer from a junior college in 2001-02 (he played four games there before the program folded). Senior guard Paul Marigney is out for the first seven games due to academic issues. Forward Erik Bond will be eligible after seven games after transferring from California.
On offense, St. Mary's believes in dribble penetration, kicking the ball out and making plays. Senior guard E.J. Rowland had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the upset over the Golden Bears. Forward Jonathan Sanders also had 17 points in that win.
The bottom line is that an athletic Memphis team is a tough task. Coach John Calipari teased me in a recent phone call, saying he'd rather face Mississippi State than St. Mary's. I think he's pulling my leg, but the Gaels will battle.
Bennett has done a solid job in his first three seasons, taking a team that was 2-27 when he arrived and improving each season. He's excited about the potential of this group.
Watch out Gonzaga, because in the WCC, St. Mary's could really challenge.
Memphis has a host of talent, led by preseason All-Conference USA choice Sean Banks. Diaper dandy Darius Washington is a blue-chipper who has been installed as a leader at point guard. Rodney Carney supplies athleticism, and you can see why there's excitement in Memphis.
It will be an interesting matchup as the tenacious, defensive-minded Gaels should make this interesting.
Syracuse vs. Mississippi State
A pair of top-15 teams square off as a pair of All-Americans prepare to do battle. Mississippi State hopes to have Lawrence Roberts back in the lineup after recently suffering a broken nose.
Whenever you add a player of Roberts' ability on the glass, it makes a big difference. The Bulldogs struggled offensively in the first two games of the season, wins over Fairfield and Birmingham Southern.
Syracuse counters with senior Hakim Warrick up front. With the 3-point shooting threat of Gerry McNamara, the Orange have an exciting 1-2 punch. Syracuse is talented and quick.
Mississippi State point guard Gary Ervin is returning to New York City after playing his high school ball at Paul Robeson High School. He took over the leadership role in the backcourt from a talented Timmy Bowers.
Roberts vs. Warrick up front should be a thriller.
Mississippi State will be challenged by Syracuse's 2-3 zone. Early in the season, coach Jim Boeheim's team started in man-to-man a bit, but Princeton played well against it, so expect the zone. Syracuse can beat you with both full-court defense and half-court defense.
This should be a special Syracuse team, as Jim Boeheim is closing in on win No. 700 -- he's just 22 away from that magic number. Boeheim belongs in the Hall of Fame.
I can't wait to tip it off, baby!
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
