NIT Game Notes: Miami vs. Oklahoma State
March 13, 2006
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OKLAHOMA STATE (17-15, 6-10 Big 12) vs. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (16-15, 7-9 ACC)
National Invitation Tournament – First Round
When: March 15, 2006 – 9:00 PM (ET)
Where: BankUnited Center, Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); OSU (www.okstate.com)
Tickets: $15/$25 – Call 305-284-CANE or 1-800-GO-CANES
| Probable Miami Starters | ||||||||
| No | Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Cl | Pts | Reb | Ast |
| 50 | Anthony King | F | 6-9 | 230 | Jr. | 8.8 | 7.0 | 0.6 |
| 02 | Gary Hamilton | C | 6-10 | 265 | Sr. | 3.7 | 5.5 | 0.9 |
| 15 | Denis Clemente | G | 6-0 | 165 | Fr. | 5.8 | 1.3 | 2.0 |
| 13 | Guillermo Diaz | G | 6-2 | 186 | Jr. | 17.4 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| 22 | Robert Hite | G | 6-2 | 190 | Sr. | 16.4 | 5.7 | 1.5 |
| Probable Oklahoma State Starters | ||||||||
| No | Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Cl | Pts | Reb | Ast |
| 04 | Mario Boggan | F | 6-7 | 240 | Jr. | 14.8 | 5.7 | 1.0 |
| 40 | Kenny Cooper | C | 6-10 | 260 | Fr. | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 |
| 00 | Byron Eaton | G | 5-11 | 215 | Fr. | 7.8 | 2.3 | 3.2 |
| 10 | Jamaal Brown | G | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | 5.5 | 1.5 | 3.1 |
| 24 | JamesOn Curry | G | 6-3 | 190 | So. | 13.7 | 2.9 | 4.0 |
MIAMI REACHES POST SEASON:
The University of Miami’s has been selected to compete in the National Invitation Tournament and will host Oklahoma State in the first round. This marks the Hurricanes’ second consecutive post season appearance and its 13th post season appearance overall (5 NCAA, 8 NIT).
Miami has now reached the post-season its nine of the last 12 seasons. Miami is 4-12 all-time in post season competition. The Hurricanes will be hosting a post-season game for the first time in school-history.
UM IN THE NIT:
Miami is making its eighth NIT appearance and its second in as many seasons. Miami is 1-7 all-time in the NIT with the lone win coming against St. Francis (NY) in 1963.
1960-61 – 3-16-61 – St. Louis 58, MIAMI 56 – Madison Square Garden
1962-63 – 3-16-63 – MIAMI 71, St. Francis-NY 70 – Madison Square Garden
3-19-63 – Providence 106, MIAMI 96 – Madison Square Garden
1963-64 – 3-12-64 – St. Joseph’s-PA 86, MIAMI 76 – Madison Square Garden
1994-95 – 3-15-95 – Penn St. 62, MIAMI 56 – University Park, Pa.
1996-97 – 3-13-97 – Michigan 76, MIAMI 63 – Ann Arbor, Mich.
2000-01 – 3-14-01 – Auburn 60, MIAMI 58 – Auburn, Ala.
2004-05 – 3-15-05 – South Carolina 69, MIAMI 67 – Columbia, S.C.
THE MATCHUP:
Oklahoma State enters its opening round game of the NIT with a record of 17-15 and are the No. 6 seed. The Cowboys are coming off a 63-62 loss to Kansas in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. Oklahoma State defeated Iowa State, 79-70, in the opening round before falling to the eventual tournament champions.
The Cowboys, who went 6-10 in Big 12 Conference play, are led by the inside-outside combination of junior forward Mario Boggan and sophomore guard JamesOn Curry.
Boggan leads the team in scoring (14.8 ppg), rebounding (5.7 rpg) and blocks (26), while shooting 177-302 (.586) from the field and 109-133 (.820) from the line. Curry ranks second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg), leads the team in assists (4.0 apg) and has made a team-high 62 three-point baskets in 165 attempts (.376) this season.
Miami enters the first round of the NIT with a record of 16-15 following a hard fought 80-76 loss to Duke in the second round of the ACC Tournament. Miami advanced to the ACC Tournament second round with a 66-63 come-from-behind win over Clemson.
The Hurricanes, who were 7-9 in ACC play this season, have been led by the duo of junior Guillermo Diaz and senior Robert Hite. Diaz, a second-team All-ACC selection, is averaging a team-high 17.4 points per game, and ranks second on the team in assists (2.8 apg).
Hite, a third-team All-ACC selection, ranks second on the team in scoring at 16.4 points per game, and leads the team in steals (46). He is averaging 5.7 rebounds per game, second-best on the team, and leads the team in three-point field goals (76) and three-point field goal percentage (.413).
In the ACC Tournament Diaz averaged 19 points per game while Hite averaged 15 points and 10 rebound. Also playing well in the tournament was Raymond Hicks who averaged 10 points per game off the bench while shooting 61.5 percent from the field in the two games.
A WIN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NIT WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 17-15 on the season.Clinch a winning record for Miami.Better Miami’s win total from last season.Mark Miami’s first post-season win since 2000.Mark Miami’s first NIT win since 1963.
THINGS TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
Robert Hite needs four three-point field goals to set the UM single-season record.Robert Hite needs five steals to move into fourth on UM’s all-time list.Guillermo Diaz needs three three-point field goals to move into fourth on UM’s all-time career list.
ON COACH HAITH:
Miami head coach Frank Haith is in his second season with the Hurricanes. His record career record is 32-28 (.533), including a 16-15 mark this season.
With the Hurricanes’ NIT bid this season, Haith becomes just the second coach in school-history to lead Miami to the post season in his first two seasons.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Oklahoma State meet for the first time on the hardwood.
TV/RADIO:
Miami’s first round NIT game against Oklahoma State will be televised by ESPNU.
The game can be heard on the Hurricane Radio Network, WQAM (560 AM). Joe Zagacki “The Voice of the Hurricanes” will call the action with Josh Darrow adding analysis. Brian London will serve as studio host.
MOVING ON UP:
Guillermo Diaz scored 21 points against Michigan on November 29, 2005 to become the 28th player in UM history to reach the 1000-point plateau. Rob Hite reached the 1,000-point plateau last season and currently ranks 6th on UM’s career scoring list with 1,667 points. Diaz ranks 10th with 1,430 points.
UM Career Scoring List:
1. Rick Barry (1962-65) 2,298
2. Eric Brown (1985-89) 2,270
3. Don Curnutt (1967-70) 2,006
4. Darius Rice (2000-04) 1,865
5. Tim James (1995-99) 1,713
6. Robert Hite (2002-2006) 1,667
7. Dennis Burns (1985-89) 1,594
8. Dick Hickox (1958-61) 1,529
9. Johnny Hemsley (1996-00) 1,497
10. Guillermo Diaz (2003-06) 1,430
THE DYNAMIC DUO:
Guillermo Diaz and Robert Hite have etched their names into the record books as one of the greatest scoring tandems in UM history. Diaz (539 points) and Hite (508 points) became just the first duo in school-history to record 500 points apiece in consecutive seasons.
HITE HITS 70 FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON:
Robert Hite recorded four three-point field goals against Florida State giving him 70 on the season. Hite, who had 72 three-point field goals last season, is the first Hurricane in school history to record 70-or-more three-point field goals in consecutive seasons.
DIAZ, HITE REACH 500 AGAIN:
Guillermo Diaz and Robert Hite are the fourth and fifth players since 1985 to score 500 or more points in consecutive seasons. Diaz reached 500 points against Florida State on March 5. Robert Hite hit the 500 point plateau against Duke on March 10.
HITE, DIAZ MOVE UP SINGLE-SEASON LIST:
Robert Hite and Guillermo Diaz are also working their way up the single-season three-point field goal list. Hite’s 76 treys this season ranks tied for third all-time while Diaz’s 72 is tied for fifth.
Single-Season Three-Point Field Goals Made:
1. Steven Edwards, 1992-93 79
Marcus Barnes, 2001-02 79
3. Darius Rice, 2001-02 76
Robert Hite, 2005-06 76
5. Robert Hite, 2004-05 72
Guillermo Diaz, 2005-06 72
6. Johnny Hemsley, 1998-99 70
DIALING LONG DISTANCE:
Miami guards Robert Hite and Guillermo Diaz make up one of the top three-point field goal shooting tandems in UM history. Here are UM’s career three-point field goal lists and where they rank.
3-Point FG Made
Steven Edwards, 1992-96 265
Darius Rice, 2000-04 260
Robert Hite, 2002-06 219
Kevin Presto, 1985-89 170
Guillermo Diaz, 2003-06 168
Johnny Hemsley, 1996-00 164
Jake Morton, 1988-93 136
Kevin Norris, 1994-98 134
James Jones, 1999-03 124
Marcus Barnes, 2000-02 122
3-Point FG Percentage
Thomas Hocker, 1987-90 (53-125) .424
Trevor Burton, 1989-93 (75-189) .397
Robert Hite, 2002-06 (219-570) .384
James Jones, 1999-03 (124-324) .383
Guillermo Diaz, 2003-06 (168-441) .381
Samarr Logan, 1989-92 (100-265) .377
Kevin Presto, 1985-89 (170-453) .375
Doug Elliott, 1989-91 (50-135) .370
Levertis Williams, 1987-89 (68-184) .370
Anthony Rosa, 1993-96 (33-90) .367
MAN OF STEAL:
Guard Robert Hite has 183 career steals placing him fifth on UM’s all-time list.
UM Career Steals Leaders
1. Kevin Norris (1994-98) 208
2. Vernon Jennings (1996-00) 199
3. John Salmons (1998-02) 192
4. Jerome Scott (1988-92) 187
5. Robert Hite (2002-05) 183
MR. WINDEX:
Robert Hite is not only one the ACC’s best shooters but he also one of the leagues top rebounding guards. Hite ranks second in the league among players under 6-5 (as of March 12).
