Memphis, Conference USA to play in China

May 25, 2008 - 7:06 PM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Players and coaches from four teams in Conference USA left for China on Sunday as part of a nine-day, three-exhibition game tour.

Seven of the 12 players are from the national runner-up University of Memphis team, with the remaining five consisting of players from Tulsa, Southern Mississippi and Texas-El Paso.

"This is going to be an interesting trip," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "Basically, it's two or three different teams, one day of practice, three games in six days and the flight over is probably 20 hours.

"The people over in that region of China are anxious for us to get over there, and it's going to be fun."

Assisting Calipari will be Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik, UTEP coach Tony Barbee and Memphis assistant John Robic.

The three games are scheduled for May 28, 30 and June 1.