Hurricanes Opens Two-Game Homestand Versus Stetson
Nov. 28, 2008
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The No. 21/22 University of Miami men’s basketball team returns home to take on Stetson on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the BankUnited Center at 3:30 p.m.
Game 5: No. 21/22 Miami (3-1) vs. Stetson (2-2)
Date: Sat., Nov. 29, 2008 | Time: 3:30 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: None | Radio: 1360 WKAT | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Stetson: (www.gohatters.com)
Probable Miami Starters
| No. | Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) | Pts | Reb | Ast |
| 5 | Eddie Rios (G, 6-0, 190, So.) | 6.0 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| 33 | Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.) | 16.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 23 | James Dews (G, 6-4, 209, Jr.) | 5.5 | 2.3 | 1.0 |
| 20 | Cyrus McGowan (F, 6-9, 236, R-Jr.) | 7.3 | 4.8 | 1.0 |
| 21 | Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.) | 14.0 | 10.8 | 1.0 |
Probable Stetson Starters
| No. | Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) | Pts | Reb | Ast |
| 14 | Garfield Blair (G, 6-5, 215, Sr.) | 13.8 | 8.0 | 1.5 |
| 31 | Kris Thomas (G, 6-2, 170, Sr.) | 11.0 | 2.8 | 1.0^ |
| 02 | A.J. Smith (F, 6-0, 180, Jr.) | 10.5 | 3.0 | 4.3 |
| 04 | Sheldon Oliver (F, 6-5, 218, Jr.) | 5.3 | 5.8 | 0.5 |
| 22 | Tim Lang (C, 6-9, 250, Sr.) | 5.0 | 6.5 | 0.8 |
^ steals per game
The Series
With 78 previous meetings, Stetson is the most frequently faced opponent in Miami men’s basketball history. The Hurricanes own the 45-33 all-time series lead, and have won five straight over the Hatters by an average of 24.4 points per game. Stetson last defeated UM in 1971.
Brian Asbury leads all current Hurricanes versus the Hatters, averaging 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game in two appearances, hitting .813 from the field, .750 from long range and a perfect 1.000 from the line. Jack McClinton (12.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and James Dews (11.0 ppg) also average double-figure scoring in two wins versus Stetson, while Dwayne Collins added 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games against the Hatters.
Sunshine State Series
Miami is 313-151 (.675) all-time versus opponents from the Sunshine State. The Hurricanes are 1-0 versus Florida teams this season, defeating Florida Southern, 96-60, in the season opener. The Hurricanes have won 46 of its last 56 games versus Florida schools, dating back to the 1992-93 season. Miami is 16-6 (.727) against in-state opponents under head coach Frank Haith.
Playing in Paradise
The Hurricanes return home to the BankUnited Center after going 2-1 in the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands en route to a third-place team finish versus the strongest field in tournament history. Jack McClinton was named to the all-tournament team along with MVP Hasheem Thabeet (UConn), Jeremy Wise (Southern Miss), Trevon Hughes (Wisconsin), Kemba Walker (UConn) and Jerome Dyson (UConn).
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 the season-opening win over Florida Southern, the Hurricanes have won five-straight games at home, beginning with that memorable 96-95 win over Duke on Feb. 20, 2008, and have won nine-straight non-conference games at the “BUC”.
Double Deuce
On his 22nd birthday, Jimmy Graham turned in his first career double-double, posting a season-high 11 point s and a career-high tying 13 rebounds in just 15 minutes in Miami’s 80-45 win over San Diego. It marked the third double-double in four games for the Hurricanes.
Dwayne Collins recorded the other two double-doubles for the Hurricanes, tying an ACC high for the season. In addition, he is among five ACC players to have grabbed 15-or-more boards in a game in 2008-09.
Perfect Attendence
Dwayne Collins has played in every game since becoming a Hurricane — making 70 appearances to date, including 44 starts. His first career start came on Dec. 16, 2006 vs. Stetson.
Sibling Rivarly
Briyana Blair, the younger sister of Stetson’s leading scorer Garfield Blair, plays women’s basketball for the Hurricanes.
Miami associate head coach Jorge Fernandez was a four-year letterwinner for the Hatters from 1981-85, earning team MVP honors following the 1984-85 season.
Scouting the Haters
Stetson brings a 2-2 record to Saturday’s contest, coming off Monday’s win over Johnson & Wales in which the Hatters kept their opponent to a school-record low 36 points. The two Stetson losses this season have come at Texas (68-38) and at Florida State (79-77). The Hatters are led by Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference Team pick Garfield Blair who averages a team-high 13.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while Kris Thomas adds 11.0 points and A.J. Smith adds 10.5 points an outing. Stetson plays a challenging non-conference schedule in 2008-09, including road trips to Texas, Florida State, Miami, Missouri and Florida.
