Hurricanes Close Non-Conference Home Slate vs. Bethune-Cookman
Dec. 28, 2009
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team closes 2009 at home at the BankUnited Center, playing host to in-state opponent Bethune-Cookman on Wed., Dec. 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Game 14: Miami (12-1) vs. Bethune-Cookman (7-5)
Date: Wed., Dec. 30, 2009 | Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: None | Radio: 560 WQAM
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Bethune-Cookman (www.b-cuathletics.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Projected Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
01 Durand Scott (G, 6-3, 195, Fr.) 8.3 4.4 4.3
03 Malcolm Grant (G, 6-1, 191, R-So.) 11.4 2.0 3.7
23 James Dews (G, 6-4, 213, Sr.) 12.2 2.3 1.5
20 Cyrus McGowan (F, 6-9, 237, Sr.) 4.9 3.9 1.4^
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 241, Sr.) 12.9 8.9 1.3
Projected Bethune-Cookman Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
02 Aric Miller (G, 6-3, 185, Fr.) 3.0 1.2 0.9
03 C.J. Reed (G, 6-3, 175, So.) 16.7 3.1 4.7
10 Stanley Elliott (G, 6-3, 160, So.) 6.8 3.1 1.1*
32 Alexander Starling (F, 6-6, 205, Jr.) 11.8 7.9 2.1*
33 Tyrel Adams (F/C, 6-9, 250, Sr.) 1.9 1.3 0.5
* steals per game | ^ blocks per game
Wednesday marks the penultimate non-conference game on Miami’s regular-season slate and its final non-league home game of the 2009-10 season. Following Sunday’s cross-country contest at Pepperdine, the Hurricanes turn their focus to Atlantic Coast Conference play — beginning with a Jan. 9 home game versus Wake Forest.
ON A ROLL
Miami rides a four-game win streak into Wednesday’s contest versus Bethune-Cookman and has won 12 of 13 games this season for the fifth time in program history — with its lone loss a one-point defeat at Boston College in the ACC opener.
This is the second time the Hurricanes have opened the season 12-1 under head coach Frank Haith, last achieving this in 2007-08 en route to a 23-11 record and a second round NCAA Tournament appearance.
ACC HONORS
Freshman guard Durand Scott has been selected ACC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, becoming the first Hurricane to earn the rookie honors twice in a season.
The 6-3 freshman was among five Hurricanes to score in double figures in last Monday’s 80-59 win over North Carolina A&T, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Scott ranks fifth in the ACC in assists-to-turnover ratio (2.07:1), eighth in assists (4.3) and is tied for 10th in steals (1.5).
HOME SWEET HOME
The Hurricanes have won 19-consecutive non-conference regular-season games, including 12 straight in the BankUnited Center. Miami has won 15 of its last 17 in Coral Gables — including a 7-0 mark this season.
THE SERIES
Miami has won all four previous meetings versus Bethune-Cookman by an average of 23.8 points, including a 102-75 victory in the last game between the teams on Nov. 30, 1999.
The 7-5 Wildcats, who have won six of their last eight games, are led by two players averaging double-figure scoring — C.J. Reed (whose father Cliff Reed is in his eighth season as the program’s head coach) with a team-high 16.7 points and 4.7 assists per game and Alexander Starling with 11.8 points and a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game. They are the only two Wildcats to start all 12 games this season.
Miami and Bethune-Cookman have played one common opponent in 2009-10 — Florida Gulf Coast. The Hurricanes knocked off the Eagles, 77-58, at home on Nov. 25, while the Wildcats defeated FGCU, 67-59, on the road on Dec. 1.
The Wildcats return to the hardwood following an 11-day hiatus, while the Hurricanes are back on the court after a nine-day layoff between games.
TICKET INFORMATION
Miami five-game ACC packs start as low as $75 and single game tickets start as low as $10. For more information, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES or visit us online at hurricanesports.com.
