Miami Strives for Second-Straight Road Win at Georgia Tech
Feb. 15, 2008
CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – A week after picking up its first road win in Atlantic Coast Conference play at Virginia Tech, the University of Miami men’s basketball team will look to make it two straight on the road when the Hurricanes travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. Miami will also be in search of a season sweep over Georgia Tech, after the Hurricanes defeated the Yellow Jackets, 78-68, in Coral Gables in the first meeting between the two schools earlier this season on Jan. 19.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Game 24: Miami (16-7, 3-6 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech (11-12, 4-5 ACC)
Date: Sun., Feb. 17, 2008 | Time: 1 p.m. | Site: Alexander Memorial Coliseum
TV: Raycom/WBFS | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: ACC Select
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Georgia Tech (www.ramblinwreck.com)
Tickets: (888) TECH-TIX
Probable Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
1 Lance Hurdle (G, 6-2, 180, Jr.) 7.6 1.8 2.4
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 15.9 2.3 2.8
23 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 10.8 2.8 1.8
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 235, So.) 9.0 6.3 1.0^
50 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 7.7 7.8 1.4^
Probable Georgia Tech Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
3 Maurice Miller (G, 6-1, 181, Fr.) 6.2 2.1 3.3
13 D’Andre Bell (G/F, 6-5, 210, Jr.) 6.3 1.7 1.8
23 Anthony Morrow (G, 6-5, 215, Sr.) 14.3 4.2 1.0
31 Gani Lawal (F, 6-8, 216, Fr.) 7.4 3.9 1.0^
32 Jeremis Smith (F, 6-8, 236, Sr.) 9.7 7.0 2.0
^ blocks per game
The Hurricanes kick off a three-game week in Atlanta before returning home to play host to No. 2 Duke on Wednesday and Maryland on Saturday. After a solid 74-71 win over the Hokies in Blacksburg on Saturday, Feb. 9, the Hurricanes have been able to focus on Georgia Tech over this week.
Good Point
Junior transfer Lance Hurdle has worked his way into the starting lineup and has now started seven straight at the point. He knocked down a career-high 20 points in UM’s effort versus North Carolina and is averaging 9.6 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in nine starts for the Hurricanes.
Coming Out Party
Fellow point guard and true freshman Eddie Rios put together arguably the best game of his freshman campaign at Virginia Tech last Saturday, finishing with a career-high 14 points — including a career-high tying three three-pointers and a pivotal pair of free throws, a pair of steals and an assist. He has seen action in all 23 games this season, with three starts, and is averaging 3.5 points, 2.0 assists and 1.3 rebounds an outing.
The Series
Sunday marks the ninth meeting between Miami and Georgia Tech with the all-time series knotted 4-all. The Hurricanes have won three straight over the Yellow Jackets by an average of 12 points, including UM’s 10-point win a month ago at home. Miami is 1-2 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum and was victorious in its last trip to Atlanta, a 70-53 decision on Feb. 4, 2006.
Last Meeting
In UM’s win over the Yellow Jackets a month ago in Coral Gables, sophomore guard James Dews had his biggest game as a Hurricane, setting new personal highs in points (20), made field goals (7) and attempted field goals (16). Dews scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half against the Yellow Jackets as UM battled back for the win after falling behind 22-10 early on. Junior forward Jimmy Graham also played well against Georgia Tech’s frontline, scoring 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Forward Jeremis Smith led the Jackets with 21 points.
A Look at Georgia Tech
After three-straight road games, including Thursday’s 82-67 loss at Clemson, Georgia Tech returns home to the “Thrillerdome” for a pair of contests. The Yellow Jackets ride a two-game skid into Sunday, coming off back-to-back double-figure losses at UConn and Clemson. For the season, Georgia Tech is 4-5 at home, including a 1-3 mark in ACC play with a home win over Virginia Tech, 81-70, on Jan. 19. The Yellow Jackets are led by Anthony Morrow with 14.3 points per game — including 2.4 three-pointers per game at a .444 clip and Lewis Clinch with 10.7 points per outing. Zack Peacock, who averages 9.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, has come on strong and has scored in double figures in five straight, including 18 points versus Maryland on Feb. 2.
