Hurricanes Face Tennessee Tech on Thursday

Hurricanes Face Tennessee Tech on Thursday

Dec. 21, 2004

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TENNESSEE TECH UNIVERSITY (4-4)
at
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (6-2)
When: December 23, 2004 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Convocation Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: None
Radio: WQAM (560 AM), WVUM (90.5 FM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); TTU (www.tntech.edu/athletics)
Tickets: $10/$20/$25 – Call 305-284-CANE in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES

ON TENNESSEE TECH:
Tennessee Tech enters its match-up with Miami with a record of 4-4 following a 92-74 home win over Jacksonville on December 19. All of Tennessee Tech’s losses this season have come on the road by an average of 18.5 points per game. The Golden Eagles have been led this season by senior forward Willie Jenkins who is averaging team highs in scoring (19.1 ppg), rebounding (5.9 rpg) and steals (2.1 spg). He has connected on 41.7 percent (15-36) from three-point range and is one of the nation’s top free throw shooters (.923). Also averaging in double-figures in scoring for Tennessee Tech is senior forward Derek Stribling at 10.6 points per game. As a team the Golden Eagles are shooting an impressive 47.6 percent from the field and 75.1 percent from the line.

ON THE COACHES:
Frank Haith was named Miami’s 11th head men’s basketball coach on April 12, 2004. In his 15 seasons as an assistant at the D-I level, he has helped lead teams that have won an NIT Championship, advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen three times, reached one Elite Eight and one Final Four. Haith, who is in his first season as a head coach, is 6-2 this season with the Hurricanes. Tennessee Tech head coach Mike Sutton is in his third season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Golden Eagles. His record at Tennessee Tech is 37-31 (.539).

TV/RADIO:
The Miami-Tennessee Tech will not be televised. The game will be broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network, WQAM (560 AM). Joe Zagacki “The Voice of the Hurricanes” will call the action with Josh Darrow adding analysis. Brian London will serve as studio host. The game will also be broadcast on WVUM (90.5 FM), the University of Miami student radio network.

LAST GAME – MIAMI 81, STETSON 50
December 18, 2004
Convocation Center, Coral Gables, Fla.
Guillermo Diaz scored 14 points and Gary Hamilton recorded his first career double-double to lead Miami to an 81-50 win over Stetson at the Convocation Center. Hamilton finished with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds off the bench for the Hurricanes who have now won five straight. Miami managed just a 30-23 halftime lead, but used a dominant second half to put the game out of reach. The Hurricanes opened the half with an 18-5 run, taking a 48-28 lead on a three-point play by guard Robert Hite with 13:52 remaining. Miami shot 63.3 percent in the second half after connecting on just 36.7 percent of its field goals in the first half. Stetson shot just 32.1 percent in the game, including 26.9 percent in the second half. E.J. Gordon scored a game-high 16 points for Stetson.

A WIN VERSUS TENNESSEE TECH WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 7-2 this season.
Mark Miami’s sixth consecutive victory.
Improve UM’s all-time home record against non-conference opponents to 69-15 (.821).

THE SERIES:
Miami and Tennessee Tech have played twice with the Hurricanes winning both meetings. The Hurricanes and Golden Eagles last met on February 8, 1989 with UM taking a 111-101 win at Miami Arena.

ACC SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE:
Single-game tickets for all eight of the University of Miami’s home ACC contests are on sale now at the Hurricane Ticket Office. To purchase tickets call (305) 284-CANE in Dade County, or 1-800-GO-CANES or go online at www.hurricanesports.com. Atlantic Coast Conference tickets start at just $15.

STREAKING:
Head coach Frank Haith and the Hurricanes are currently riding a five-game win streak marking the third-longest by a first year coach at the University of Miami.

WIN STREAK TIDBITS (5-0):
Team – 79.4 ppg; 144-294 (.490) FG; 45-109 (.413) 3FG
Team – .386 Opp FG%; 18.8 margin of victory; 9.0 3FG/G
Hite – 22.4 ppg; 41-77 (.532) FG; 20-39 (.513) 3FG
Diaz – 18.0 ppg; 34-64 (.531) FG; 11-26 (.423) 3FG
Harris – 15.4 ppg; 5.4 apg
King – 14-20 (.700) FG; 8.6 rpg; 4.2 bpg

UM VERSUS THE OHIO VALLEY:
The Hurricanes have won the last three meetings against Ohio Valley Conference teams and are 13-6 all-time against OVC competition. Miami last loss to an OVC team was November 30, 1991 against Eastern Kentucky, 66-61, at the San Juan Shootout.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 97-45 (.683) record against non-conference opponents, including a 68-15 (.819) mark at home. Miami is 6-2 against non-conference opponents this season.

MIAMI’S LETHAL WEAPON III:
Miami’s three guard line-up of Robert Hite (20.1 ppg), Guillermo Diaz (14.9 ppg) and Anthony Harris (14.1 ppg) have been difficult for Hurricane opponents to contend with this season. The trio have combined to average 49.1 points per game, or 67.3 percent (393 of 584) of the teams scoring this season.

PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES:
The University of Miami trio of Robert Hite, Guillermo Diaz and Anthony Harris has combined to score 393 of UM’s 584 total points this season. The three have accounted for 67.3 percent of the team’s scoring which is the highest of any trio in the ACC. Duke’s J.J. Redick, Daniel Ewing and Shelden Williams rank second having accounted for 62.9 percent (380 of 604) of the Blue Devils’ scoring this season.

HOLDING TEAMS UNDER 100:
The University of Miami has always prided itself on playing tough defense. Over the last 14+ seasons the Hurricanes have not allowed an opponent to reach the century mark, a streak of 410 games. The last team to reach the 100-point plateau was Miami (OH) on December 27, 1990 in a 101-99 double-overtime victory over UM at the Eastern Airlines Palm Beach Classic. The last team to score 100 points against the Hurricanes in a non-overtime game was Providence on February 21, 1990, a 101-67 Friar victory at the Providence Civic Center. Miami has not allowed a team to score 100 points at home since Kansas defeated Miami 100-73 on January 10, 1990, a current streak of 226 games.