Hurricanes Open Exhibition Season

Nov. 1, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men’s basketball teamwill open its 1999-00 exhibition schedule against Latvia Select onWednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Knight Sports Complex on UM’s campus.Admission is free.

The Hurricanes return four starters from last season’s squad thatfinished with a 23-7 record, went to the NCAA Tournament for the secondconsecutive season and ended the season ranked 10th in the season-endingAssociated Press College Basketball poll.

Miami will be led by this season by the senior trio of guard JohnnyHemsley, center Mario Bland and guard Vernon Jennings.

Hemsley, a preseason first team All-BIG EAST selection, is one of 30preseason candidates for the Naismith Award which is given annually to thenation’s top college basketball player. Hemsley averaged 17.8 points, 4.7rebounds and 2.3 assists last season and was named the 1998-99 BIG EAST MostImproved Player.

Bland returns as the Hurricanes top offensive threat in the post.Last season he averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting125-212 (.590) from the field.

Jennings started 29 of 30 games at point guard last season and ledthe conference in assists averaging 5.6 per game. His 167 assists on theseason set a University of Miami single season record.

The Hurricanes open the regular season Nov. 19 at Central Florida.Miami will open its home schedule on Nov. 23 against Monmouth at 7:30 p.m.at the Miami Arena.

Single-game tickets for all 15 University of Miami men’s basketballhome games are on sale at the Hecht Athletic Center Ticket Office on the UMcampus, the Miami Arena, and through TicketMaster. Season ticket packagesare also available. For more information call the UM Ticket Office at (305)284-CANES in Dade and 1-800-GO-CANES outside Dade County.