Men's Basketball To Host West Virginia

Feb. 27, 2001

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WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (17-8, 8-6 BIG EAST)

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MIAMI HURRICANES (14-11, 6-8 BIG EAST)

Wednesday, February 28, 2001 — 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Miami Arena (15,388)

TV: Fox Sports Net, Radio: WAXY (790 AM),

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: West Virginia enters tonight’s game with a record of 17-8, 8-6 in the BIG EAST West Division, following an 82-71 road win over Seton Hall on February 25.

The Mountaineers are riding a four game winning streak and have won five of their last six games. Leading the way for West Virginia has been senior forward Calvin Bowman. Bowman, named the BIG EAST Player of the Week on Monday, is averaging 18.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

Others averaging in double-figures in scoring include junior guard Lionel Armstead (15.4 ppg), sophomore guard Tim Lyles (11.8 ppg) and junior center Chris Moss (10.2 ppg).

Armstead has been hot from three-point range connecting on 47-111 (.423) from long distance. He is shooting 50.8 percent (32-63) from three-point range in league games.

THE SERIES: Miami and West Virginia meet for the 11th time with the all-time series tied 5-5. Tonight’s game is the only regular-season meeting between Miami and West Virginia. Miami has won four straight against the Mountaineers including two wins last season. The Hurricanes are 3-2 at home against West Virginia including a 3-1 mark at Miami Arena.

DID YOU KNOW?: The University of Miami has registered a 34-14 (.708) conference mark since the 1998-99 season. The Hurricanes’ record ties them with St. John’s for best conference record over the last three seasons.

LAST TIME AGAINST WEST VIRGINIA
February 22, 2000
Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV

Johnny Hemsley tied a season-high with 24 points and the Hurricanes held West Virginia to a season-low output in a 68-50 victory at the Charleston Civic Center.

Miami has won 15 of its last 17 BIG EAST road games. West Virginia lost its third straight game, including its fourth straight to Miami.

Hemsley’s 3-pointer during a 9-0 run to start the second half gave the Hurricanes a 46-27 lead with 17:51 remaining.

West Virginia responded with an 8-0 run. But just seconds after Marcus Goree hit a 3-pointer, Hemsley killed the Mountaineers’ momentum with his own 3-pointer and two free throws 20 seconds apart for a 51-35 lead with 15:12 left.

Mario Bland added 12 points and Salmons had 10 for Miami. Tim Lyles scored 13 and Goree had 11 for West Virginia.

Miami held a 41-25 rebounding advantage.

UP NEXT: Following tonight’s game the Hurricanes conclude the regular season against Villanova (Mar. 3, Noon). The Villanova game will mark the final home game for seniors Dwayne Wimbley and Orlando Gonzalez. The seniors will be honored in a ceremony prior to the game.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE: Tonight’s game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and is being broadcast in Miami on Fox Sports Net. Jay Randolph is handling the play-by-play with Bucky Waters adding analysis. The game can be heard on the Hurricane Radio Network (WAXY – 790 AM). Marc Vandermeer is calling the play-by-play with Joe Zagacki providing analysis.

ON THE COACHES: Miami head coach Perry Clark was named the Hurricanes’ head basketball coach on on July 6, 2000. Prior to taking the UM job Clark spent 11 seasons at Tulane where compiled a 185-145 (.561) record, had six 20-win seasons, seven postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 4 NIT) and won the Metro Conference championship in 1992. He was the 1992 National Coach of the Year and a two-time Metro Conference Coach of the Year (1991, 1992). Last season Clark finished 20-11 and captured the Conference USA National Division crown. Clark’s career record stands at 199-156 (.561) including a 14-11 record this season.

West Virginia head coach Gale Catlett is in his 23rd season with the Mountaineers and 29th year overall. Catlett’s record with West Virginia is 431-255 (.628) while his overall record stands at 557-300 (.650).

ROAD WARRIORS: Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 18-7 in BIG EAST road games. The 18-7 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. Miami, which was 8-1 in BIG EAST road games in 1998-99, was 7-1 in conference road games last season. Miami is 3-5 this season on the road. The Hurricanes have won 19 of their last 26 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS: UM has won its last three games against ranked teams and is 3-2 against ranked opponents this season. The Hurricanes are 15-16 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last seven seasons. Miami is 24-81 (.229) all-time against ranked teams including a 21-67 (.239) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.

WINNING WAYS: With its 63-57 win over Connecticut on February 19, the University of Miami clinched its six consecutive winning season. The last time Miami recorded at least six straight winning seasons was the 1968-69 campaign when the ‘Canes registered their 10th straight winning season. With a win against West Virginia tonight the Hurricanes’ would clinch their seventh consecutive winning season.

BARNES STEPPING UP: Miami freshman Marcus Barnes has stepped up his game in BIG EAST play. Barnes, who averaged 3.6 points per game in 11 non-conference games, ranks fourth on the team in scoring in conference games (10.4 ppg). In the Hurricanes’ last 14 games Barnes has scored in double-figures seven times including three 20-point games.

LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE: Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in the month of February registering a 19-3 (.864) record. Miami went 7-1 in the month of February last season while going 8-0 in 1998-99. The Hurricanes have gone 4-2 in the month of February this season.

RECORD SETTING NIGHTS FOR RICE: Freshman forward Darius Rice recorded 35 points in the Hurricanes’ win over Central Florida (12-9-00) setting a Miami freshman single-game scoring record. Rice broke the old mark of 30 set by Tito Horford on February 25, 1987.

On January 10, 2001 vs. Virginia Tech, Rice hit seven three-point field goals establishing a new UM freshman record. Rice totalled 31 points vs. the Hokies becoming the first player in UM history to record two 30-point scoring games as a frosh.

In his debut against Florida Atlantic on November 18, Rice poured in a game-high 26 points marking the most by a freshman in a season-opener.Rice has now recorded three of the top eight freshman scoring totals in UM history.

WORKING OVERTIME: Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last three seasons. UM has amassed a 6-4 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (4-3 at home). The ‘Canes, who have never had more than three overtime games in any season (3-0 in 1986-87 and 0-3 in 1990-91), own a 22-21 overall record in overtime contests during their history (4-4 in double-overtime games and a 18-17 mark in single-overtime contests). Miami is 6-4 in overtime games since 1995. Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:

JACK OF ALL TRADES: Junior John Salmons (6-7, 200) is arguably the most versatile player on the Hurricanes’ roster if not the BIG EAST Conference. Salmons has played every position at Miami except center and ranks second on the team in scoring (12.8 ppg), and leads the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg), assists (3.9 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Salmons currently ranks among the BIG EAST leaders in free throw percentage (.767), rebounding, assists, steals and assist/turnover ratio (1.42).

UM TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS IN 1999-00: Miami won 23 games last season tying the school single season record for victories. Miami’s single season record of 23 victories was set during the 1959-60 season and later tied during 1962-63 and 1998-99 seasons.

NO DAY AT THE BEACH: Miami’s 77-74 win over No. 15 Connecticut on January 20 marked the seventh consecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena. Miami is 2-0 this season against ranked teams at Miami Arena having also defeated No. 22 Seton Hall, 72-66, on Feb. 1.

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MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA: In 11 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 125-65 (.658) overall record, including a 10-3 mark this season. One of Miami’s home losses this season was at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, FL. UM has posted a 78-25 (.757) home record since 1994. UM is 42-17 (.712) in its last 59 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season.

MIAMI REACHES SWEET 16 FOR FIRST TIME: With its 75-62 win over Ohio State in the second round of last season’s NCAA tournament, the University of Miami advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history. Miami has advanced to post-season play in five of the last six seasons including three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS: Since becoming the 10th member of The BIG EAST Conference beginning with the 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled a 63-34 (.649) record against non-conference opponents, including a 45-13 mark (.776) at the Miami Arena.

SUCCESS IN THE SUNSHINE STATE: Entering the 2000-01 season the Hurricanes are the only team in the state of Florida to register a winning record in each of the last six seasons. The Hurricanes’ 110-68 (.618) mark since the 1994-95 season is the top winning percentage and most victories among the state’s 11 Division I programs.

HURRICANE TICKETS ON SALE: For information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at (305) 284-CANES in Dade or (800) GO-CANES. The Ticket Office is open from 9a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday.