The 2019 Roman Legends Classic Presented by Old Trapper
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK- The Barclays Center played host this year to The Roman Legends Classic. The tournament started off with a bang, featuring four very good college basketball teams. The first game matched up the University of Richmond vs The University of Wisconsin. The second game consisted of Auburn University vs The University of New Mexico. All very good teams fighting for superiority and the right to call themselves the 2019 Roman Legends Classic Champions.
Semi-Finals
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK- NOVEMBER 25th: Richmond Spiders Guard Blake Francis sizing up the competition during the Richmond Spiders semifinal matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers. (Photo by Hector Martinez/Moving Pictures)
Richmond Spiders vs Wisconsin Badgers
The first game was a goody. Both teams are coming off hot starts with Richmond jumping out to a 4-0 record, while Wisconsin started out 4-1. A Richmond win would be a huge deal for the Spiders. It would be the first time since 1985 that they started 5-0. The last time Richmond started out this hot they earned a birth to the NCAA Tournament. They are looking to keep the streak alive and have the same fortune that the ‘85 team had. Wisconsin hasn’t had much difficulty reaching the tournament, having participated in 20 of the last 21 tournaments. These two teams have met once before in 2004 with Wisconsin winning that matchup. New personnel and new coaching staffs since then set the bar as even for this matchup.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Richmond big man Grant Golden Grant Golden contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Spiders in their matchup vs Wisconsin. (Photo by Hector Martinez/Moving Pictures)
Both teams came out the gate trying to win the defensive battle. UW turned the ball over 15 times and was unable to capitalize from long range, shooting a dismal 7 of 27 from 3-point range. Richmond Guard Blake Francis seemed to have a hot hand scoring 19 points, while Grant Golden added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Spiders. Richmond is known to put up a lot of points but it was the work they put in on the defensive end that was the difference in this game. Wisconsin couldn’t buy a bucket late in the game, especially from the paint where the Badgers managed only 10 points for the game. Richmond would meet the winner of the Auburn/New Mexico game.
We just had strong will and toughness about us that really enabled us to win the game, Richmond Head Coach Mooney said.
Semi-Finals
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK- NOVEMBER 25th: Senior Guard Samir Doughty was the catalyst to Auburn’s success. Photo by Hector Martinez/Moving Pictures
Auburn Tigers vs New Mexico Lobos
The 16th ranked Auburn Tigers played the New Mexico Lobos and quickly turned the game into a lopsided affair. Defense was the game plan for Auburn who came away with a 84-59 victory at the Barclays Center. Samir Doughty led all scorers with 19 points as he hit 5-9 three-pointers. Auburn did a great job defending New Mexico star JaQuan Lyle, who was held to two points, 17 under his scoring average. Auburn forced New Mexico to turn the ball over 24 times and in turn converted those turnovers into 28 points. Auburn’s legendary head coach, Bruce Pearl was happy with his teams performance defensively and vowed to continue the stingy defensive pressure into the championship.
“I thought our defense carried the day. I thought that we wore them down a little bit with our pressure, and effort and and energy”. Bruce Pearl, Auburn Head Coach
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK- NOVEMBER 25th: The Auburn Tigers were able to disrupt the New Mexico Lobos and hold their best player JaQuan Lyle to 2 points. 17 below his average. (Photo by Hector Martinez/Moving Pictures)
Senior Austin Wiley posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and really was a leader on the court. His inspiring play really was infectious and everybody got into some of the action. New Mexico pretty much could buy a bucket, being held to 4-19 shooting from three-point range. The game was over as soon as it started and Auburn would face Richmond in the Championship.
Championship:
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK- NOVEMBER 25th: Isaac Okoro of Auburn drives to the rim en route to defeating the New Mexico Lobos during the Legends Classic at the Barclays Center. (Photo by Hector Martinez/Moving Pictures)
Auburn Tigers vs Richmond Spiders
The stage was set and the two best teams of the tournament would face off for rights to call themselves Champions of the 2019 Romans Legends Classic. Both undefeated, the Spiders and Tigers are two very different teams with very different styles of play. Auburn defeated Richmond 79-65. Richmond came out of the gate very confident and led early in the contest. After Coach Pearl settles his team down and earned some points from the charity stripe, the Tigers were able to convert on a few field goals and get back to playing the stifling defense that got them to the Championship. Although they weren’t shooting well from 3, the Auburn Tigers were still able to keep the game close and pretty much held Richmond in check.
“That’s going to make for a happier Thanksgiving,” Pearl said. “I think I might have three helpings instead of just two.”
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Legendary coach Bruce Pearl giving out instructions. (Photo by Hector Martinez/Moving Pictures)
Austin Wiley was named the tournament MVP. He followed up his 19-point performance against New Mexico with a 22-point game against Richmond. He came just short of a second consecutive double double. The Tigers will definitely need Wiley to give similar performances in order to compete for a conference title in a strong Southeastern Conference.
Thank you to the Roman Legends Classic staff and the Barclays Center for all of your hospitality. Thank you to Photographer extraordinaire Moving Pictures for providing all of the visuals for this article. Everybody please go follow follow him on Instagram @Moving.Pictures and on Twitter @MovingPictureNY