Men's Basketball Takes on NC State Tuesday
Jan. 26, 2009
RALEIGH, N.C… – After splitting a pair of ACC home games over the last week, the University of Miami men’s basketball team looks to return to its winning ways on the road. The Hurricanes, who have won seven of their last nine games, hit the road for their next two contests — beginning with NC State on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Game 20: Miami (15-4, 3-3 ACC) vs. NC State (10-7, 1-4 ACC)
Date: Tues., Jan. 26, 2009 | Time: 7 p.m. (EST) | Site: RBC Center
TV: ESPNU | Radio: 560 WQAM
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) |NC State (www.gopack.com)
Projected Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
01 Lance Hurdle (G, 6-2, 183, Sr.) 7.4 1.5 2.8
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.) 17.9 3.1 3.1
32 Brian Asbury (G/F, 6-7, 221, Sr.) 6.9 4.8 1.1
00 Jimmy Graham (F, 6-9, 256, Sr.) 3.2 5.9 1.0^
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.) 12.3 7.7 1.0*
Projected NC State Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
33 Brandon Costner (F, 6-9, 231, R-Jr.) 14.1 6.3 2.5
34 Ben McCauley (F/C, 6-9, 237, Sr.) 13.2 7.5 1.1*
04 Courtney Fells (G/F, 6-6, 210, Sr.) 10.1 3.6 1.1
12 Farnold Degand (G, 6-3, 185, R-Jr.) 4.8 1.4 2.2
21 C.J. Williams (F, 6-5, 203, Fr.) 2.2 1.1 0.6
^ blocks per game * steals per game
The Hurricanes have won four of their last five games off of their home court and are 5-2 away from the BankUnited Center in 2008-09.
THE SERIES
NC State holds the 4-3 edge in the all-time series with Miami, although the series is tied 3-all since the Hurricanes joined the ACC for the 2004-05 season. Miami has won two of its last three versus the Wolfpack, including a 63-50 victory in their last meeting in the first round of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte on March 13, 2008. The teams will meet again in their regular-season finale in Coral Gables on Sat., March 7.
WHAT HAVE U DONE FOR ME LATELY
Jack McClinton is averaging 23.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists over his last three games, and has scored 20-or-more points in three straight and in four of his last six games.
Over the last three games, Dwayne Collins is averaging 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Hurricanes, while Adrian Thomas is contributing 9.0 points (.500 FG%, .440 3FG%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game over the last five outings.
BUILDING A BASKETBALL TRADITION
Work continues on the new Miami basketball practice facility, which is adjacent to the BankUnited Center alongside the Hurricane 100 Room east of the arena. The new facility — which will measure approximately 29,000 square feet — will house several full-size practice courts, as well as a multi-purpose room to host a variety of events. Construction is scheduled for completion this winter.
CLEANING THE GLASS
The Hurricanes have out-rebounded their opponents 13 times this season and have been out-rebounded just twice in their last 12 games — by a combined six boards. In addition, Miami has built a 10-plus rebounding margin four times in its last nine games.
For the season, Miami is out-rebounding its opponents by an average of 8.3 boards per game — tops in the ACC and eighth in the nation. Dwayne Collins averages a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to rank 10th in the ACC. In addition, his 3.3 offensive boards per game rank fourth in the conference. He has pulled down double-figure rebounds four times this season — a career-high 16 in the season-opening win over Florida Southern, 14 versus then-No. 2/2 UConn, 11 versus Ohio State and 11 versus Florida State. He has grabbed nine boards on four occassions.
Two other Hurricanes average at least five boards per game — Jimmy Graham (5.9 rpg) and Cyrus McGowan (5.8 rpg), while Brian Asbury adds 4.8 per outing.
THOMAS TIME
After missing all but eight games over the last two seasons due to injury, redshirt junior Adrian Thomas is starting to shine for the Hurricanes. He has appeared in all 19 games this season and is averaging 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in six ACC games — converting .500 from the field and .423 from long range.
Over the last five games, Thomas is averaging 9.0 points an outing — tops among bench players and third best overall behind McClinton (19.8 ppg) and Collins (13.0 ppg). He scored a season-high 11 points in the win at Boston College and added 10-point performances at No. 5/6 North Carolina and in the home victory over Florida State.
Thomas has hit 13 of his 18 three-point baskets on the year over the course of the last six games. He finished with two treys versus the Hokies and has hit a three-pointer in six consecutive games — the second-longest streak on the squad.
WORKING OVERTIME
Miami dropped its first overtime game of the year, falling 88-83 to Virginia Tech on Sunday evening. Three Hurricanes scored 20-or-more points (Collins 23, Asbury 21, McClinton 20) for the first time since its January 7, 2006 win versus Maryland.
Asbury posted his sixth double-figure scoring performance of 2008-09 with a season-high 21 points — including a season-high three three-pointers. His third three with 25 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game at 77-all to send it into overtime. Asbury also tied a season high with two blocked shots.
McClinton, who hit four threes versus the Hokies, has hit a three-pointer in an ACC-long 22 straight games. He has hit 33 of his 55 three-pointers on the season over the course of the last 10 games.
Collins scored 23 points for his second 20-plus scoring effort of the season and the third of his career. It was his sixth double-figure scoring output in the last seven games.
Lance Hurdle tied his career high with six assists and committed just one turnover in 33 minutes versus the Hokies.
