Miami Plays Host to North Carolina Wednesday
Jan. 22, 2008
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – After dropping just one game in its first 15 of the season, Miami picked up back-to-back ACC losses on the road last week, including a devastating 79-77 overtime loss at N.C. State on Saturday evening. But the Hurricanes have 13 games remaining in the regular season — including seven at home –and look to get back to work, beginning on Wednesday versus North Carolina.
Game 18: Miami (14-3, 1-2 ACC) vs. North Carolina (18-1, 3-1 ACC)
Date: Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 | Time: 9 p.m. | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: Raycom/Sun Sports | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: ACC Select
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | North Carolina (www.tarheelblue.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Probable Probable Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast1 Lance Hurdle (G, 6-2, 180, Jr.) 6.5 1.8 2.233 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 16.4 2.7 2.923 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 11.5 2.5 1.842 Raymond Hicks (F, 6-7, 238, Sr.) 5.8 4.0 0.6^50 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 8.5 7.8 1.5^
Probable North Carolina StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast01 Marcus Ginyard (G/F, 6-5, 218, Jr.) 7.0 4.8 2.105 Ty Lawson (G, 5-11, 165, R-So.) 13.4 2.7 5.621 Deon Thompson (F, 6-8, 240, So.) 8.7 5.5 1.222 Wayne Ellington (G, 6-4, 200, So.) 17.0 3.8 2.050 Tyler Hansbrough (F, 6-9, 250, Jr.) 21.3 10.2 1.4*
^ blocks per game; * steals per game
After a pair of ACC road losses over the last week, Miami has dropped from the Top 25. However, the Hurricanes continue to receive votes in both polls — pulling 15 votes in the AP Top 25 and two votes in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.
Miami made a concerted effort to penetrate the lane in Saturday’s effort at N.C. State, as UM’s frontcourt combined for 43 points, including 32 in the paint, to account for 56 percent of the Hurricanes’ scoring. Three post players finished in double-figures, including 13 points apiece from Raymond Hicks and Anthony King and 11 points from Jimmy Graham.
Jack McClinton‘s game-high 26 points accounted for the majority of the backcourt’s contribution on the night. McClinton continues to lead the Hurricanes offensively, averaging 19.2 pts over the last nine games, including 20 points per game in ACC play to rank third in the league. He has yet to miss a free throw in conference play this season, converting all 16 attempts to tie for first in ACC-only stats with a 100 percent free-throw percentage.
McClinton has scored in double figures a team-high 12 times this season. Miami is tied with Duke for the most players to record a double-figure scoring game this season. Ten different Hurricanes have scored 10-plus points in a game this season — James Dews (11), Brian Asbury (9), King (8), Dwayne Collins (7), Graham (4), Hicks (4), Lance Hurdle (4), Eddie Rios (2) and Adrian Thomas (1) in addition to McClinton. Miami has had five Hurricanes score in double figures in the same game five times this season, while six Hurricanes have scored 10-plus points twice.
The Hurricanes are undefeated in the BankUnited Center this season, winning all nine games by an average of 22.2 points per game. Since defeating North Carolina in overtime, 64-61, in Miami’s debut in the BankUnited Center on Jan. 4, 2003, the Hurricanes have gone 53-30 at home — including a 37-5 mark (.881) in non-conference play.
The BankUnited Center has served as the home to Miami basketball for five years. There will be a ceremony commemorating the anniversary during halftime of Wednesday’s game, including UM President Donna Shalala, Athletic Director Paul Dee and Coral Gables mayor Don Slesnick II.
The Series
Wednesday marks the 13th meeting between Miami and North Carolina, with UNC leading the all-time series, 10-2. The Hurricanes have dropped two straight to the Tar Heels, with their last win an 81-70 decision on Dec. 14, 2006, in Chapel Hill.
A Look at North Carolina
Like the Hurricanes, North Carolina looks to rebound after a tough loss on Saturday, as the then-No. 1 Tar Heels snapped an 18-game win streak with a 82-80 loss to Maryland at home. North Carolina is led by Tyler Hansbrough, who averages ACC highs of 21.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while ranking second in the conference with a .545 field goal percentage. Wayne Ellington, who has converted 17 straight free throws, adds 17.0 points an outing — fourth best in the league, while shooting an ACC-best 90.9 percent from the charity stripe. Ty Lawson adds 5.56 assists per game — third best in the ACC — for a Carolina team that leads the ACC in scoring offense (91.1 ppg), rebounding margin (+11.1), assists (17.74), assist/turnover ratio (1.25) and defensive rebounds (28.53).
