• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Evans, Memphis face Chattanooga in Puerto Rico

Nov 20, 2008 - 11:23 AM Tennessee-Chattanooga (0-2) vs. No. 12 Memphis (2-0), 5:30 p.m. EST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Ticker) -- Freshman Tyreke Evans is doing his best to help Memphis forget about Derrick Rose.

Evans looks to help the 12th-ranked Tigers get their third straight win when they face Tennessee-Chattanooga in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off on Thursday.

As a freshman last season, Rose helped Memphis win a school-record 38 games before the Tigers lost in overtime, 75-68, in the national championship game to Kansas.

Through two games, Evans is averaging 19.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The highly touted freshman had 19 points and five steals in the Tigers' 80-58 victory over Massachusetts on Monday.

Evans and the rest of the Tigers (2-0) could be in store for a big game against the Mocs (0-2), who have allowed a total of 217 points in their two losses.

Ty Patterson scored 18 points as UT-Chattanooga dropped a 103-75 decision to Missouri on Monday.

The winner will face either No. 20 Southern California or Seton Hall on Friday.