Miami Faces Undefeated UCF in Orange Bowl Basketball Classic
Dec. 16, 2010
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On the Blog: Pregame Comments from Coach Haith, and
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team rides a five-game win streak into Saturday’s matinee versus undefeated UCF in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at the BankAtlantic Center at 1 p.m. It marks the first of four-straight neutral site games for the Hurricanes.
Game 10: Miami (7-2) vs. UCF (9-0)Date: Sat., Dec. 18, 2010 | Time: 1 p.m. | Site: BankAtlantic CenterTV: FSN (FS-Florida in South Florida) | Radio: 560 WQAM | Web Video: NoneWebsites: Miami (www.HurricaneSports.com) | UCF (www.UCFAthletics.com)Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Projected Miami StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast01 Durand Scott (G, 6-3, 200, So.) 13.6 4.1 4.003 Malcolm Grant (G, 6-1, 180, Jr.) 13.8 2.3 3.825 Garrius Adams (G, 6-6, 196, So.) 6.8 3.1 2.342 Reggie Johnson (C, 6-10, 303, So.) 12.1 9.7 1.4^45 Julian Gamble (F/C, 6-9, 258, Jr.) 3.6 3.6 0.7*
Projected UCF StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast03 A.J. Rompza (G, 5-9, 160, Jr.) 6.8 2.2 4.705 Marcus Jordan (G, 6-3, 205, So.) 15.2 2.3 3.1 .10 Dwight McCombs (F/C, 6-8, 245, Jr.) 5.2 4.0 1.4^15 Dave Diakite (F, 6-6, 215, R-So.) 4.6 3.2 0.733 Keith Clanton (F, 6-8, 245, So.) 17.0 9.0 1.8^^ blocks per game | * steals per game
Saturday marks the 16th time the Hurricanes are participating in the Orange Bowl Classic and the second-straight season. Miami defeated FAU, 87-69, in Classic competition last season behind 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds from Dwayne Collins. Durand Scott added 13 points and four assists in the win.
This marks Miami’s first game on a neutral court since the 2010 ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Last season the Hurricanes went 6-1 at neutral sites, winning the Charleston Classic (3-0), their game in the Orange Bowl Classic (1-0) and advancing to the ACC semis where they fell to eventual ACC and national champion Duke (2-1).
ON A ROLL Over Miami’s five-game win streak, the Hurricanes improved shooting from every area of the court — including a jump in three-point field goal percentage from 31.4 percent to 42.3 percent — and have decreased the turnovers, resulting in a +12.4 scoring margin… and five-straight victories.
Over this five-game span, the Hurricanes have four players averaging double-figure scoring in Durand Scott (14.8 ppg), Malcolm Grant (14.4 ppg), Reggie Johnson (12.0 ppg) and Adrian Thomas (11.0 ppg). Over these five games, five players are hitting better than 40 percent of their three-point shots — led by Thomas’ 2.8 three-pointers per game at 45.2 percent .
Malcolm Grant has converted 19-of-21 free throw attempts (.905) over the last five games and has hit 40.6 percent from beyond the arc for 2.6 treys per game.
Over the last three games, Adrian Thomas has hit 12-of-21 three-point attempts — converting 57.1 percent from beyond the arc.
THE SERIESMiami leads the all-time series versus UCF, 6-0, last defeating the Knights, 62-51, on Dec. 27, 2002, in Orlando. Behind first-year head coach Donnie Jones, a young and undefeated UCF is led by sophomore guard Marcus Jordan — the son of Michael — with 15.2 points per game on 50.0 shooting from the field, 44.4 shooting from beyond the arc and 84.8 percent shooting from the line. Keith Clanton adds a team-high 17.0 points and 9.0 rebounds an outing, while Isaac Sosa adds 10.0 points — hitting 42.6 percent from long range — off the bench. The Knights — who are shooting 51.8 percent from the field and outscoring opponents by an average of 25.6 points per game — have defeated a Big East team at home (USF) and an SEC squad (Florida) on a neutral court.
The Knights are ranked No. 26 in the latest AP Poll. The last opponent the Hurricanes faced that were tops in the “also receiving votes” section of the polls? West Virginia — who Miami defeated 79-76 on Dec. 4.
FEELING FESTIVEThe Hurricane Club is holding its annual Holiday Party in conjunction with the Orange Bowl Classic on Saturday at the BankAtlantic Center. The party runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., followed by the Classic’s opening game between Miami and UCF. Hurricane Club members may purchase a ticket to the Holiday Party for just $20, which includes a game ticket, full buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, salad, soft drinks, cash bar and the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with fellow Hurricanes. Advanced reservations and payment for the Hurricane Club Holiday Party is required. For additional information or to register, please contact the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699.
SUNSHINE STATE SERIESThe Hurricanes are 326-155 (.678) all-time versus in-state opponents, including a 28-10 (.737) mark under Frank Haith and a 3-0 record this season. Miami has won 59 of its last 73 games versus Florida schools, dating back to the 1992-93 season. During the 2010-11 regular season, the Hurricanes are slated to face five in-state opponents six times — Jacksonville (89-77 win on Nov. 12), Florida Gulf Coast (87-75 win on Nov. 27), Stetson (68-54 win on Dec. 12), UCF and Florida State twice.
HURRICANE WARNING Seventh-year head coach Frank Haith and the Hurricanes have defeated 28 of its last 30 non-conference opponents during the regular season.
DID U KNOW?Following Sunday’s win over Stetson, the Hurricanes are ranked No. 15 in both the RealTime RPI and CollegeRPI.com rankings — the third-highest ranked squad in the ACC, behind Duke at No. 4 and Boston College at No. 12. Miami has already played three road games — including at nationally-ranked Memphis, one SEC squad and a pair of Big East opponents (including a win over RPI-No. 11 West Virginia). UCF is No. 24 in the RPI.
CHAT WITH FELLOW `CANES Log onto HurricaneSports.com during Miami athletic events to chat with Miami insiders and other fans about the game and your favorite student-athletes. To join the chat, click on the Cover It Live program found online with each game’s preview, beginning 30 minutes before tip-off.
NEXT UP FOR THE `CANES Following Saturday’s game versus UCF, the Hurricanes head across the country for the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic from Dec. 21-23 where they will take Oral Roberts, Rice and Akron. The tourney’s first round took place on campuses, with UM defeating Stetson, 68-54, on Sunday.
SECURE YOUR SEATS NOWIndividual game tickets for Miami’s ACC games are now on sale to the general public. The Hurricanes will host a regular slate of eight ACC games, welcoming the last two national champions to the BankUnited Center in top-ranked Duke on Sun., Feb. 13, and 2009 champs North Carolina on Wed., Jan. 26. Prices for most ACC games begin as low as $15. For additional information or to order season tickets, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office online at www.hurricanesports.com or by phone at 1-800-GO-CANES.
