Miami Hosts Lehigh In Non-Conference Action
Dec. 26, 2000
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TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Lehigh enters tonight’s contest with a record of 5-4 following a 73-55 win over Cornell on December 22. The Mountain
Hawks started off slow this season with consecutive losses to open the campaign. Since then Lehigh has won five of its last six games.
Lehigh and Miami have played one common opponent. The Mountain Hawks lost 45-42 to Columbia on December 11 while the Hurricanes defeated Columbia 65-41 in the second game of the season on November 11.
The Mountain Hawks have been led this season by 6-5 sophomore forward Matt Logie. Logie has led the team in scoring six times this season and is averaging a team-high 12.0 points per game.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Lehigh meet for the fifth time with the Hurricanes holding a 3-1 all-time series lead. Miami and Lehigh last met on December 30, 1996 with the Hurricanes winning 68-32 at Miami Arena.
Miami is 3-0 against Lehigh in Miami including a 2-0 record at Miami Arena. Lehigh’s lone win over Miami came on December 27, 1989. That day Lehigh knocked off the Hurricanes 83-59 in the opening round of the Eastern Airlines Palm Beach Classic.
| Date | Result | Location |
| 12-4-70 | UM 74, Lehigh 67 | UM |
| 12-27-89 | Lehigh 83, UM 59 | PBC |
| 1-9-91 | UM 99, Lehigh 67 | UM |
| 12-30-96 | UM 68, Lehigh 32 | UM |
UP NEXT:
Following tonight’s game the Hurricanes conclude the homestand against Tennessee-Martin on December 29 starting at 4 p.m. at the Miami Arena. UM opens its BIG EAST Conference schedule at Pittsburgh on January 3. Miami’s BIG EAST home opener will take place January 7 at 2 p.m. at the Miami Arena against Boston College.
A WIN TONIGHT WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 7-3.Be Miami’s third straight win.Mark UM’s eighth consecutive win at Miami Arena.Improve Miami’s record to 46-13 (.780) against non-conference opponents at Miami Arena since joining the BIG EAST in 1991.
ONLINE ALL THE TIME:
Check out the official University of Miami Athletic Department website for up to the minute information on Hurricane Athletics at www.hurricanesports.com.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Tonight’s game is not being televised. The game can be heard on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM – 560 AM). Marc Vandermeer is calling the play-by-play with Joe Zagacki providing analysis. The game can be heard live over the internet at the official website for HurricaneAthletics – www.hurricanesports.com.
ON THE COACHES:
Miami head coach Perry Clark was named the Hurricanes’ head basketball coach on on July 6, 2000. Clark comes to Coral Gables having spent 11 seasons at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. With the Green Wave, Clark 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. Additionally, Tulane received a bid to the NIT. Clark’s career record stands at 191-148 (.564) including a 6-3 record this season.
Lehigh head coach Sal Mentesana is in his fifth season with the Mountain Hawks and 14th season overall. Mentesana’s record at Lehigh is 30-90 (.250) while his overall record stands at 148-195 (.431).
JUST FOR FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS:
During the month of December, University of Miami football season ticket holders will have the opportunity to attend a men’s or women’s basketball game, along with a guest, for only $2.
Every season ticket holder will receive a postcard in the mail which can be redeemed at the box office the day of the game for the promotional tickets. Only football season ticket holders are eligible for the promotion.
Football season ticket holders can choose from UM men’s games against Lehigh (Dec. 27) or Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 29), or women’s games at the Gatorade Holiday Classic. This year’s Classic features New Hampshire, George Mason, Western Michigan and Miami.
KIDS GET IN FOR A DOLLAR ON DEC. 27 & 29:
Tickets for the University of Miami men’s basketball games against Lehigh (Dec. 27) and Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 29) will be available to children ages 13 and under for only $1 per game. Both games will tip-off at 4 p.m. at Miami Arena. For more information contact the Hurricane Ticket office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
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 61-34 (.642) record against non-conference opponents, including a 44-13 mark (.772) at the Miami Arena.
RECORD SETTING NIGHT:
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. Rice also connected on six three-point baskets against UCF tying a UM freshman record.
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.
Top Freshman Single-Game Point Totals
35 DARIUS RICE vs. Central Florida, 12-9-0030 Tito Horford vs. Florida State, 2-25-8729 Dennis Burns vs. Duke, 2-19-8628 Tito Horford vs. Florida International, 2-18-8728 Tito Horford vs. Marquette, 1-24-8726 DARIUS RICE vs. Florida Atlantic, 11-18-0026 Steven Edwards vs. Pittsburgh, 1-23-93
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM is 0-1 against ranked teams this season. Miami was 3-5 versus ranked teams last season . The Hurricanes are 12-15 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last six seasons. Miami is 21-80 (.208) all-time against ranked teams including an 18-66 (.214) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.
Miami Victories Over Ranked Teams:
| Jan. 30, 1961 | Louisville (#7 AP) | 71-69 |
| Dec. 21, 1962 | Duke (#2 UPI) | 71-69 |
| Feb. 2, 1965 | Miami, OH (#20 UPI) | 100-85 |
| Jan. 12, 1989 | Kansas (#12 AP) | 87-86 |
| Jan. 14, 1992 | St. John’s (#17 AP) | 45-42 |
| Jan. 2, 1993 | Georgetown (#10 AP) | 80-69 |
| Feb. 20, 1993 | St. John’s (#25 AP) | 82-77 |
| Feb. 4, 1995 | Georgetown (#13 AP, #13 USAT) | 67-61 |
| Jan. 3, 1996 | Syracuse (#11 AP, #12 USAT) | 75-66 |
| Dec. 7, 1996 | Syracuse (#19 AP, #17 USAT) | 67-63 |
| Jan. 11, 1997 | @ Villanova (#8 AP, #7 USAT) | 61-59 |
| Nov. 21, 1997 | NC Charlotte (#17 AP, #17 USAT) | 89-72 |
| Jan. 6, 1998 | Connecticut (#8 AP, #8 USAT) | 76-67 |
| Feb. 28, 1998 | West Virginia (#19 AP/#19 USAT) | 70-66 |
| Jan. 6, 1999 | St. John’s (#10 AP/#9 USAT) | 84-79 |
| Feb. 3, 1999 | @ St. John’s (#9 AP/#10 USAT) | 73-70 |
| Feb. 8, 1999 | @ Syracuse (#18 AP/#17 USAT) | 76-63 |
| Feb. 20, 1999 | @ Connecticut (#2 AP, #2 USAT) | 73-71 |
| Feb. 19, 2000 | @ Connecticut (#18 AP, #18 USAT) | 63-57 |
| Mar. 5, 2000 | St. John’s (#18 AP, #21 USAT) | 74-70 |
| Mar. 19, 2000 | vs Ohio State (#8 AP, #8 USAT) | 75-62 |
MIAMI REACHES SWEET 16:
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.
IN THEIR FIRST SEASON:
New Hurricane head coach Perry Clark opened his first season at Miami with a 3-0 record. The three straight wins to open the season tied the UM record for consecutive wins to open a season by a coach in his first season at Miami. Bill Foster (1985-86), Hart Morris (1938-39) and Art Webb (1926-27) all opened their inaugural season at Miami 3-0.
Best Starts By UM Coaches in First Season:
| Start | Coach | Season | Final Record |
| 3-0 | PERRY CLARK | 2000-01 | — |
| 3-0 | Art Webb | 1926-27 | 7-1 |
| 3-0 | Hart Morris | 1938-39 | 4-6 |
| 3-0 | Bill Foster | 1985-86 | 14-14 |
VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
With its win over Central Florida on December 9, Miami improved its record against teams from the state of Florida to 289-141 (.672). Miami has won 24 consecutive games against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has not lost to a Florida school since a 72-64 season opening loss to Florida International on Dec. 1, 1992.
ROAD WARRIORS:
Over the last two seasons Miami is 15-2 in BIG EAST road games. The 15-2 mark is the best among BIG EAST schools over the last two seasons. Miami, which was 8-1 in BIG EAST road games in 1998-99, was 7-1 in conference road games last season. Miami has won 16 of its last 18 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.
Top BIG EAST Road Records Over Last Two Seasons:
| 1. | MIAMI | 15-2 (.882) |
| 2. | Connectictut | 14-3 (.823) |
| 3. | Syracuse | 13-4 (.765) |
| 4. | St. John’s | 11-6 (.647) |
A NEW HOME COURT:
The University of Miami will play on new floor at the Miami Arena this season. The floor was donated by Dr. Eddie Dauer and Sam Burstyn and is adorned in the Hurricanes’ colors of orange, green and white.
NO DAY AT THE BEACH:
Miami’s win over No. 18 St. John’s in last season’s regular season finale marked the sixth consecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena.
Wins Over Ranked Teams at Miami Arena since 1994-95:
| Feb. 4, 1995 | Georgetown (#13 AP, #13 USAT) | 67-61 |
| Jan. 3, 1996 | Syracuse (#11 AP, #12 USAT) | 75-66 |
| Dec. 7, 1996 | Syracuse (#19 AP, #17 USAT) | 67-63 |
| Nov. 21, 1997 | NC Charlotte (#17 AP, #17 USAT) | 89-72 |
| Jan. 6, 1998 | Connecticut (#8 AP, #8 USAT) | 76-67 |
| Feb. 28, 1998 | West Virginia (#19 AP/#19 USAT) | 70-66 |
| Jan. 6, 1999 | St. John’s (#10 AP/#9 USAT) | 84-79 |
| Mar. 5, 2000 | St. John’s (#18 AP/#21 USAT) | 74-70 |
WORKING OVERTIME:
Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last two seasons. Last season the Hurricanes defeated St. John’s in the regular-season finale while in 1998-99 the Hurricanes’ lost a heartbreaking overtime game against No. 1 ranked. UM has amassed a 6-2 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (4-2 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 22-19 overall record in overtime contests during their history (4-3 in double-overtime games and a 18-16 mark in single-overtime contests). Miami is 6-2 in overtime games since 1995. Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:
| 12-19-90 (2OT) | SMU 93, MIAMI 88 (@SMU) |
| 12-27-90 (2OT) | Miami (OH) 101, MIAMI 99 (N) |
| 3-4-92 | Seton Hall 90, MIAMI 82 (@UM) |
| 2-25-95 | MIAMI 77, Boston College 72 (@BC) |
| 2-28-95 | MIAMI 76, Pittsburgh 68 (@UP) |
| 12-23-95 | Clemson 66, MIAMI 52 (@ UM) |
| 2-20-96 (2OT) | MIAMI 96, St. John’s 91 (@UM) |
| 1-18-97 | MIAMI 68, Georgetown 65 (@UM) |
| 3-5-97 | MIAMI 76, St. John’s 68 (@ MSG) |
| 1-20-99 | Connecticut 70, MIAMI 68 (@UM) |
| 3-5-00 | MIAMI 74, St. John’s 70 (@UM) |
UM TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS:
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.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 11 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 120-62 (.659) overall record, including a 5-0 mark this season. UM has posted a 73-22 (.768) home record since 1994. UM is 39-14 (.736) in its last 53 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season.
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.
