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Memphis opens conference schedule

Jan 9, 2008 - 2:26 PM East Carolina (6-7) at No. 2 Memphis (13-0) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - Second-ranked Memphis has cruised through its schedule to date. Wednesday's Conference USA opener with East Carolina isn't expected to be much different.

The Tigers have an average victory margin of 19.8 points. Memphis has won 41 consecutive home games and is 29-1 in conference play since the start of the 2005-06 campaign.

Junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts is averaging 17.2 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Tigers, who close out a five-game homestand on Wednesday. Freshman guard Derrick Rose is averaging 14 points and 4.6 assists.

Junior forward Robert Dozier averages 10.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, while senior forward Joey Dorsey averages a team-high 9.8 rebounds for Memphis. The Tigers have won 17 consecutive regular-season conference games and 23 overall, the longest streak in Conference USA history.

"Some may say that it will be easy for us since we've won a lot in the league," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "All I know is that every conference gym we go to we will be the highest-ranked team to play there, so they will be up to play us. We just have to be ready to match their intensity."

The Pirates, who have already matched last year's win total, have won two straight. East Carolina, which went 1-15 in the conference last season, is opening its conference schedule for only the second time in its seven-year membership.

Junior guard Sam Hinnant is the lone Pirates' player in double figures at 11.8 points per game. East Carolina is 1-5 in conference openers. The Tigers have won all five previous meetings, three by 10 points or less.

It will be the 500th game as a head coach for the Pirates' Mack McCarthy. The first-year East Carolina coach has an overall record of 315-184.