University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Basketball In Tucson For Fiesta Bowl Classic
12/27/2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2004
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RICHMOND (4-4) vs. BUTLER (5-3)
McKale Center - 6 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: Spider Sports Network (Sportsradio 910 in Richmond)
Internet: www.RichmondSpiders.com
TUCSON, Ariz. - The Richmond men's basketball team tips off the 2004 Fiesta Bowl Classic presented by Bank One at 6 p.m. (Eastern) on Tuesday, Dec. 28 against Butler in the McKale Center. The Spiders and Bulldogs will be followed by host Arizona and Eastern Washington.
The Spiders return to Tucson for the first time since 1994 when they competed in the 10th anniversary edition of the event. Richmond has never played Butler in its history.
A native of Phoenix, senior Jamaal Scott returns to his home state where he earned Player of the Year as a senior at Shadow Mountain High School. The versatile guard has started 46 games in three years at Richmond.
The consolation and championship game of the 2004 Fiesta Bowl Classic will be played at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30. Both of Arizona's games will be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.
STORYLINES
*Three Spiders are averaging 13.0-or-more points after eight games. Daon Merritt and Kevin Steenberge sit atop the list with 13.6 ppg while Jermaine Bucknor (13.0) ranks third. Bucknor has led the team in scoring in each of the past two games.
*Senior Jamaal Scott (Phoenix, Ariz.) returns to his home state for the first time in his collegiate career. Scott, who has started 46 games in three years at Richmond, was the 1999-2000 Arizona High School Player of the Year after averaging 19 points and nine rebounds at Shadow Mountain High School.
*Richmond returns to the Fiesta Bowl Classic for the first time since 1994. The Spiders went 0-2 with losses to Arizona (95-68 on Dec. 28) and Penn State (66-53 on Dec. 30).
*The only previous time Richmond has played a team in the Horizon League was also in a Christmas Tournament. The Spiders lost to Detroit-Mercy 82-70 on Dec. 28, 1992 in the Arizona State Tribune Classic.
*Butler is the second first-time opponent for Richmond this season (Seton Hall). Eastern Washington would be the third if they meet in the second round.
*Tuesday's game against Butler is the Spiders' first neutral site contest of the season. Richmond was 3-3 in neutral site games last season -- 1-2 during the regular season. The Spiders are 3-5 in neutral site games under Jerry Wainwright.
