Believe it or not, the college basketball regular-season gets underway today with No. 3 Memphis going against Tennessee-Martin in the 2K Classic down in Memphis.

However, there is actually a game before John Calipari's talented club hits the floor between Richmond and Maine. The winner will (no disrespect to Tennessee-Martin) take on Memphis tomorrow night.

Chris Mooney's Spiders are coming off an 8-22 season, but Richmond should be much improved after starting four freshman a year ago.

Mooney told me this morning that his team will play more up-tempo due to more experience, talent and depth this season.

Mooney said that 6-foot-4 sophomore David Gonzalvez is poised for a breakout season after finishing second on the team in scoring (9.6 ppg) as a freshman. ``He's got the ability to score, he's fast, strong and has a good sense of the game," Mooney said.

Richmond will also have help in the backcourt from diminutive point Kevin Anderson out of Georgia. The Spiders will rely on 6-foot-9 sophomore Dan Geriot, who led the team in scoring (11.9 ppg) last season.

``We're excited to be playing in the first game," Mooney said. "It's pretty cool. We'll be the only score on the ticker for a while."

Memphis takes center stage at 7 p.m. EST on ESPNU and it'll give fans a first-look at freshman point guard Derrick Rose - who could be the missing piece to the Tigers Final Four and even national title hopes.

EAGLES NEW LEADER

Took in the Boston College practice before the Celtics season-opener on Friday and here are a few storylines after watching Al Skinner's group.

1) Tyrese Rice's leadership ability - The 6-foot junior guard has taken on the leadership role after Craig Smith and Jared Dudley have held the post over the last two years. We know Rice can score the ball, but he'll need to become a terrific leader in order for the Eagles to be successful this season.

2) Freshman Josh Southern is ready to contribute immediately - The 6-foot-8 big man out of Saginaw, Mich., has dropped 30 pounds and has a chance to be BC's top post player this season. He'll play behind seniors John Oates and Tyrelle Blair early, but Southern has more talent than Oates and Blair. He's got terrific hands and can get the Eagles a bucket in the post - something neither of the other two guys is able to do on a consistent basis.

3) Freshman wing Rakim Sanders will just need to remain focused - The 6-foot-6 St. Andrew's (R.I.) product (the same school that produced Tony Robertson and Demetris Nichols) has a pro body and talent to match. He could wind up being the team's second-leading scorer behind Rice, but he'll have to maintain a level of consistency.

4) Sophomore forwards Shamari Spears and Tyler Roche will be critical if the Eagles are competitive night in and night out this season - Spears has dropped about 20 pounds and will likely start at power forward while Roche isn't hesitating before launching shots from the perimeter.

5) Biko Paris will be a more than capable backup to Rice - Paris plays at a different place than Rice, but he's got poise and makes good decisions. Don't be shocked to see Rice and Paris out on the floor together.

6) The Eagles would win at least eight games if they have Joe Trapani this season - The 6-foot-8