Hurricanes Host Buckeyes in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Nov. 30, 2008
CORAL GABLES, FLA… – Miami plays host to Ohio State in the 2008 ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Tues., Dec. 2, at the BankUnited Center. The game will be carried live on ESPN at 7 p.m.
Game 6: No. 21/22 Miami (4-1) vs. Ohio State (3-0)
Date: Tues., Dec. 2, 2008 | Time: 7 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: ESPN | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Ohio State (www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Probable Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
01 Lance Hurdle (G, 6-2, 183, Sr.) 8.3 1.0 2.0
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.) 15.8 1.8 2.8
23 James Dews (G, 6-4, 209, Jr.) 6.4 2.6 0.8
20 Cyrus McGowan (F, 6-9, 236, R-Jr.) 8.6 5.4 0.8
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.) 13.6 10.0 1.2
Probable Ohio State Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
21 Evan Turner (G/F, 6-7, 205, So.) 12.0 7.7 2.7
33 Jon Diebler (G, 6-6, 205, So.) 10.3 3.0 2.0
52 Dallas Lauderdale (F, 6-8, 255, So.) 8.3 5.3 5.3^
02 Jeremie Simmons (F, 6-2, 170, Jr.) 8.0 1.7 2.7
23 David Lighty (G/F, 6-5, 220, Jr.) 6.7 4.0 1.3
^ blocks per game
THE CHALLENGE
The Hurricanes are participating in the Challenge for the third time in 2008 — and their first time as hosts, after appearances in 2005 and 2006, and are in search of their first Challenge victory.
Jack McClinton leads all Hurricanes in ACC/Big Ten Challenge games, pouring in 30 points on .500 shooting in Miami’s 61-59 loss at Northwestern in UM’s last Challenge appearance on Nov. 28, 2006. He is among 11 players (including five in the ACC) to score 30-plus points in a Challenge game.
The Miami-Ohio State game is among four ACC/Big Ten Challenge match ups that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. The remaining seven ACC/Big Ten Challenge games will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU.
It marks the 10th year for the event, featuring the top college basketball programs playing for conference supremacy and the Commissioner’s Cup. The ACC has won the Commissioner’s Cup in all nine previous years.
THE SERIES
The Hurricanes lead the all-time series versus the Buckeyes, 2-1, and have won two straight by an average of 10.5 points on the hardwood – including a 75-62 victory in the second round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
WINNING BIG
All four of the Hurricanes wins this season — and their last seven overall dating back to March 5, 2008 — have been by double figures. In four victories in 2008-09, Miami has won by an average of 23.8 points — including a season-high 36-point margin in the 96-60 season-opening win over Florida Southern.
MOVING ON UP
With 12 points in Saturday’s win over Stetson, Jack McClinton moved up a spot into 22nd place among Miami’s all-time leading scorers. With 1,164 points in just his third season with the Hurricanes, McClinton is averaging 17.1 points per game over his career and is just 28 points shy of becoming one of Miami’s top 20 scorers.
In addition to recording his 59th double-figure scoring game in 68 games as a Hurricane — including 29 times in his last 31 games, McClinton dished out a season-high six assists versus the Hatters.
HOME SWEET HOME
Miami went 14-2 in home games at the BankUnited Center in 2007-08, setting a new school record with those 14 home wins. Including Saturday’s win over Stetson, the Hurricanes have now won six-straight games at home, beginning with that memorable 96-95 win over Duke on Feb. 20, 2008, and have won 10-straight non-conference games at the “BUC”.
Miami has won 28 of its last 30 games versus unranked non-conference opponents and 16 of its last 18 games overall at the BankUnited Center.
Under head coach Frank Haith, Miami is 29-4 (.879) versus non-conference opponents at the BankUnited Center and 46-19 (.708) overall at home.
Home teams are 56-21 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, including a 33-4 mark among ACC teams at home.
CHALLENGING WEEK AHEAD
Following Tuesday’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge game versus Ohio State, the Hurricanes head to Lexington to take on Kentucky on Sat., Dec. 6. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN.
In 2008-09, the Hurricanes will play games at some of the most historic venues in college basketball — Rupp Arena (Dec. 6 vs. Kentucky), Madison Square Garden (Dec. 27 vs. St. John’s), the Dean E. Smith Center (Jan. 17 vs. North Carolina) and Cameron Indoor Stadium (Feb. 7 vs. Duke).
OVERCOMING HURDLES
Lance Hurdle returned to Miami’s starting lineup for the first time in 2008-09 in Saturday’s win over Stetson, finishing with eight points, three assists and three rebounds in 21 minutes. Miami’s starting point guard in 20 games in 2007-08 — including the final 18 straight, the senior missed the first game of the season and came in off the bench in the three games of the Paradise Jam.
Hurdle is averaging 8.3 points and 2.0 assists per game, and is shooting .625 from beyond the arc and .750 from the charity stripe. He finished with 13 points and three assists in his season debut for the Hurricanes versus Southern Miss.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets begin at $10 and can be purchased by calling the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES or by visiting us online.
