Hurricanes Ranked 16th in Preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll
Oct. 30, 2008
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team is ranked 16th in the preseason edition of the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll released today. It ties the highest preseason ranking by the Hurricanes in program history – previously achieved prior to the 1964-65 season in the Coaches’ Poll, formerly known as the UPI Poll.
“It’s certainly some nice recognition of the talent we have on this team and a positive way to start the season,” said fifth-year head coach Frank Haith, whose Hurricanes were ranked as high as No. 19 in the nation last season. “But these rankings don’t guarantee anything. We are going to continue to work hard to ensure we accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves this season.”
The Hurricanes were last ranked among the nation’s top 25 in a preseason poll in 1999-2000 when they were No. 24 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll and No. 25 in the AP Poll. That season, UM advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and finished the season ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams.
Miami, who was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference, returns four starters — including Preseason All-ACC Team pick Jack McClinton – from a squad went 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament just one year ago.
The Hurricanes are among four ACC teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 and have six possible contests versus the preseason ranked teams – with two games versus preseason No. 1 North Carolina, a Feb. 7 tilt at No. 5 Duke, a Feb. 4 home game versus No. 24 Wake Forest and possible Paradise Jam contests versus No. 2 Connecticut and No. 21 Wisconsin.
Miami is also slated to play four games versus teams receiving votes — Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Kentucky and Clemson.
The Hurricanes play the first of two exhibition games on Saturday, Nov. 1, with a 5:30 p.m. tilt versus Florida Memorial. Miami opens the regular season at home versus Florida Southern on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
For ticket information, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll
1. North Carolina (36-3) 775
2. Connecticut (24-9) 707
3. Louisville (27-9) 694
4. UCLA (35-4) 650
5. Duke (28-6) 578
6. Pittsburgh (27-10) 576
7. Michigan State (27-9) 572
8. Texas (31-7) 538
9. Notre Dame (25-8) 525
10. Purdue (25-9) 465
11. Gonzaga (25-8) 437
12. Memphis (38-2) 425
13. Tennessee (31-5) 408
14. Oklahoma (23-12) 387
15. Arizona State (21-13) 304
16. Miami (Fla.) (23-11) 233
17. Marquette (25-10) 219
18. Georgetown (28-6) 175
19. Florida (24-12) 161
20. Davidson (29-7) 158
21. (tie) Southern California (21-12) 153
21. (tie) Wisconsin (31-5) 153
23. Kansas (37-3) 130
24. Wake Forest (17-13) 129
25. Villanova (22-13) 122
