No. 25 Hurricanes Host Georgia Tech Saturday in ACC Opener
Jan. 10, 2008
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team opens its fourth season in Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday, Jan. 12, when it hosts Georgia Tech at 2 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. The 25th-ranked Hurricanes returned to the AP Top 25 following a one-week hiatus after defeating Penn, 88-62, in their most recent game on Jan. 2. The Yellow Jackets come into Saturday looking to bounce back after Wednesday’s 79-72 loss at rival Georgia.
Game 15: Miami (13-1, 0-0 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech (7-7, 0-1 ACC)
Date: Sat., Jan. 12, 2008 | Time: 2 p.m. | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: Raycom/WBFS | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: ACC Select
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Georgia Tech (www.ramblinwreck.com)
Tickets: SOLD OUT
Probable Miami StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 15.5 2.2 3.123 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 11.4 2.5 1.932 Brian Asbury (F, 6-7, 223, Jr.) 10.4 5.2 2.600 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 235, So.) 9.6 6.4 1.0^50 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 8.8 7.9 1.7^
^ blocks per game
Probable Georgia Tech StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast2 Matt Causey (G, 6-0, 186, R-Sr.) 5.1 1.2 3.80 Lewis Clinch (G, 6-3, 195, Jr.) 12.9 2.3 1.923 Anthony Morrow (G, 6-5, 215, Sr.) 14.9 5.5 1.131 Gani Lawal (F, 6-8, 216, Fr.) 7.0 3.6 0.332 Jeremis Smith (F, 6-8, 236, Sr.) 9.0 7.0 2.6
In addition to the 85 votes and No. 25 ranking in the AP Top 25, Miami comes in at 27th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll with 21 votes. It marks the eighth-straight week, of nine total this season, the Hurricanes have received notice in the polls.
Jack McClinton and James Dews comprise the ACC’s most dangerous three-point shooting duo, as McClinton – who ranks among the conference’s top-five in four statistical categories – leads the league in three-point field goal percentage (.508 — ninth in the NCAA) and three-point field goals made (2.75 per game), while Dews is second in both three-point percentage (.467 – 19th in the NCAA) and three-pointers per game (2.50).
Adding an inside spark to the Hurricane offense is Dwayne Collins, who registered a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in his first start of the season versus Penn. It was his second double-double of the season and the eighth of his career. Collins finished with season highs in points, rebounds, field goals made (7) and field goals attempted (10), and tied his career high with three steals, while also recording a pair of blocked shots in the non-conference finale for the Hurricanes.
Brian Asbury is also coming off a strong performance against Penn in which he poured in a career-high 22 points, hitting 3-of-5 from three-point range and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.
ACC Openers
Miami is 3-0 all-time in ACC home openers — all versus ranked opponents — at the BankUnited Center, defeating NC State, 67-66, on Jan. 9, 2005; downing Maryland, 84-70, on Jan. 7, 2006; and then knocking off Georgia Tech last season, 90-82, on Dec. 3, 2006.
The Series
Saturday marks the eighth meeting between Miami and Georgia Tech. Although the Yellow Jackets lead the all-time series, 4-3, the Hurricanes have won two straight — including last season’s ACC opener at the BankUnited Center, 90-82.
A Look at Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets managed to convert just 19-of-35 free throws (.543) in the loss at Georgia, their second defeat in the last three games. Maurice Miller (6.5 ppg) came off the bench to lead three Yellow Jackets in double figures, finishing with 15 points and three assists, while Anthony Morrow added 14 points and Lewis Clinch finished with 11. Morrow and Clinch lead Georgia Tech in scoring for the season, with 14.9 points and 12.9 points per game, respectively. Morrow averages a team-high 2.4 treys per game at a .465 clip. Jeremis Smith adds 9.0 points and team-best 7.0 rebounds per game, while Miami-native Zack Peacock comes off the bench to add 8.9 points per outing.
