LEXINGTON, KY. ? In his 10 seasons as Kentucky’s coach, Tubby Smith never had a team hold an opponent to 20 percent shooting. Billy Gillispie’s players accomplished the feat Tuesday night in his first game.

So how did the new coach describe the defensive effort – the lowest shooting percentage allowed by the Wildcats since 1995 against Morehead State?

“Not very good,” Gillispie said. “Their 20 percent wasn’t enough us. It was more them. We set pretty high standards.”

The 20th-ranked Wildcats coasted to a 67-40 victory over Central Arkansas to win Gillispie’s debut in the opening round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.

Kentucky (1-0) faces Gardner-Webb tonight in the second round.

Joe Crawford, a senior guard who started under Smith, was one of the last players off the bench for Gillispie, not appearing until 13 minutes in.

He promptly was whistled for palming but then started taking over the offense, leading the team with 20 points – including two dunks.

Gillispie explained Crawford wasn’t starting because of his “whoever earns it, gets it” philosophy. Crawford said he didn’t like the decision but would try to work his way into the lineup.

“It’s tough,” Crawford said. “Of course I felt like I should be out there, but I still need to work hard. He has a way, and his way works. We all have to buy in.”

Sophomore forward Mark Coury cracked Gillispie’s first starting lineup and needed less than 90 seconds to match his career high of four points as Kentucky got off to an 8-0 lead. Coury used a combination of jumpers and layups to account for 10 of Kentucky’s first 12 points.

Coury finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“I obviously like Coach Gillispie’s style, the way he preaches hard work and hustle,” Coury said.

No. 3 Memphis 80, Richmond 63

Memphis, Tenn. – Freshman Derrick Rose had 21 points to help Memphis beat Richmond in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, spoiling the Spiders’ hopes of scoring the first upset of the young season.

The freshman guard was 6-for-8 for the field and overcame early foul trouble to spark the Tigers (2-0), who found themselves trailing at home with less than 13 minutes to play. Rose was named the most valuable player of the Memphis regional, scoring 38 points in the first two rounds of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer.

David Gonzalez had 25 points for Richmond (1-1).