Hurricanes Take On No. 7 North Carolina Saturday

Dec. 15, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami and North Carolina meet for the fifth time with North Carolinawinning each of the previous four contests. Miami and North Carolina lastmet on February 5, 1990 with the Tar Heel’s taking an 87-74 decision inChapel Hill, NC.

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
North Carolina enters tonight’s contest with a record of 7-2 and isranked No. 7 in the Associated Press College Basketball poll and No. 9 inthe USA Today/ESPN College Basketball poll.

Both of the Tar Heels’ losses this season have to teams ranked amongthe nation’s top-10. North Carolina fell to 7th-ranked Michigan State,86-76, on December 1 and to No. 1 ranked Cincinnati, 77-68, at the GreatEight Tournament in Chicago, IL on December 8.

North Carolina, the second winningest basketball program in NCAAhistory, has all five starters averaging in double figures includingfreshman guard Joseph Forte (16.8 ppg), junior forward Max Owens (13.4 ppg),sophomore forward Jason Capel (12.7 ppg), junior center Brendon Haywood(12.1 ppg), and senior point guard Ed Cota (11.3 ppg).

#7/#9 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA (7-2)vs.
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (4-2)
Saturday, December 18, 1999 — 7:00 p.m. (EST)
1999 HIP Health Plan Orange Bowl Basketball Classic
National Car Rental Center (20,184)
ESPN (Live), WQAM (560 AM), WVUM (90.5 FM)

Probable Hurricane Starters

Probable Tar Heel Starters

MIAMI AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA:

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Tonight’s game is being televised live on ESPN. Dan Shulman(play-by-play) and Len Elmore (analysis) will call the action.

The game will also be broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM- 560 AM). Marc Vandermere will provide the play-by-play with Joe Zagackiadding analysis. The game can also be heard on the University of Miamistudent radio network (WVUM – 90.5 FM).

UP NEXT:
Following the HIP Orange Bowl Basketball Classic Miami travels toPuerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout (Dec. 20-22). The Hurricanes will faceLouisiana-Lafayette in their opening round game. Other teams in thetournament include Auburn, Detroit Mercy, Illinois State, Pepperdine,Virginia Tech and Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.

IN THE HIP ORANGE BOWL CLASSIC:
Tonight’s game marks the Hurricanes’ sixth appearance in the HIPHealth Plan Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Miami is 2-3 in the Classicincluding a 72-64 win over eventual Final Four participant Ohio State lastseason.

Yearly HIP Results:

1999 HIP ORANGE BOWL CLASSIC SCHEDULE:
For the first time ever, the HIP Health Plan Orange Bowl BasketballClassic will consist of three games starting at 1:30 with FloridaInternational and St. Bonaventure. The second game will match Florida Stateand Massachusetts at 4:00 p.m. Miami and North Carolina will start at 7:00p.m.

Classic Schedule:

A WIN TONIGHT WOULD:

• Improve Miami’s record to 5-2.
• Mark Miami’s first win over North Carolina.
• Be Miami’s 12th win over a ranked opponent since 1995.
• Mark Miami’s second straight win at the HIP Orange Bowl BasketballClassic.

ON COACH HAMILTON:
Leonard Hamilton, in his 10th season at Miami and 14th as acollegiate head coach, has brought the University of Miami men’s basketballprogram in to the national spotlight. The 1998-99 BIG EAST Conference Coachof the Year, Hamilton has guided the Hurricanes to four postseasonappearances in the last five seasons including back-to-back NCAA Tournamentappearances in 1998 and 1999.

Last season Hamilton led Miami to a 23-7 record and a No. 10national ranking by the Associated Press. The 20-win season marked the firstfor Miami since the 1964-65 season while the AP ranking was the first sincethe 1959-60 season. Prior to his arrival at UM, Hamilton spent four seasonsat Oklahoma State where he led the Cowboys to their first back-to-backpostseason berths in 36 years. Hamilton’s record at UM is 125-138 (.475)while his career mark stands at 181-201 (.474).

SAY CHEESE:
Tonight’s game marks the first of four appearances on ESPN for Miamithis season and its 27 appearance overall. The Hurricanes were 2-2 on ESPNlast season and are 9-17 all-time on the network. In addition to tonight’sgame, Miami contests against Villanova (Jan. 17), Georgetown (Feb. 7) andNotre Dame (Feb. 26) will also air on ESPN. The Hurricanes are 17-30all-time on national television including a 6-4 mark last season.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since becoming the 10th member of The BIG EAST Conference beginningwith the 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled a 51-26 (.662) recordagainst non-conference opponents, including a 38-12 mark (.760) at the MiamiArena. Miami was 6-2 versus non-conference opponents in 1998-99.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
The Hurricanes’ 73-71 win over No. 2 Connecticut at Gampel Pavilionmarked the third time last season that Miami knocked off a ranked opponenton the road. Miami was 4-3 against ranked teams last season including a 3-1mark against ranked teams on the road.

Miami Victories Over Ranked Teams:

GETTING IT DONE AT BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR: Miami ranked 21st in the nation in field goal percentage and 13th inthe nation in field goal percentage defense. Miami joins Duke, Maryland,College of Charleston, Kentucky, Utah, and North Carolina as the onlyschools to rank nationally in both categories. Additionally, the Hurricanesled the BIG EAST in both categories.

SUCCESS IN THE SUNSHINE STATE:
Entering the 1999-2000 season the Hurricanes are the only team inthe state of Florida to register a winning record in each of the last fiveseasons. The Hurricanes’ 87-57 (.604) mark since the 1994-95 season is thetop winning percentage and most victories among the state’s 11 Division Iprograms.

MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
This year marks the 11th season that Miami has called the MiamiArena home. The ‘Canes have compiled an 107-58 (.648) overall record at theArena, including a 2-0 mark this season. UM has posted a 59-16 (.787) homerecord since 1994. UM is 33-12 (.733) in its last 45 BIG EAST home gamesdating back to the 1994-95 season.

Miami Home Record Last Four Plus Seasons:

Top 5 BIG EAST Home Winning
Percentages (1994-1999)

Overall:

Conference Games Only:

PLAYING SPOILER:
Miami’s win over No. 10 St. John’s last season marked the fifthconsecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent inthe Miami Arena. In their last eight contests against ranked teams at theMiami Arena the Hurricanes have posted a 5-3 record.

THE BUILDING BLOCKS:
Seniors Mario Bland, Johnny Hemsley and Vernon Jennings have been anintegral part of the Hurricanes’ accent into the national spotlight. Duringtheir first three seasons at Miami the three have led the Hurricanes to a57-30 (.655) record, three consecutive winning season, and three straightpostseason appearances including NCAA Tournament bids in 1998 and 1999.Miami’s NCAA Tournament bid in 1998 marked the school’s first since 1960.

Additionally, Miami’s 57 wins are the most in a three year periodsince UM won 57 games from 1963-66 while its .655 winning percentage is thehighest since Miami posted a 52-26 (.667) record from 1964-67.

Should Miami earn a post season bid in 1999-2000, the trio wouldbecome the first Hurricanes to reach the post season in four consecutiveseasons.

MIAMI BACK IN THE DANCE, AGAIN:
Miami’s selection to the 1999 NCAA Championship marked theHurricanes second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to Miami’sNCAA tournament berth in 1998 the Hurricanes had received only one bid tothe “Big Dance” and that was in 1960. Last season the Hurricanes were seededNo. 2 in the East Region marking the highest NCAA seed in school history.The Hurricanes’ 75-54 win over Lafayette in the opening round marked Miami’sfirst NCAA Tournament victory in school history. Miami has advanced topost-season play in four of the last five seasons.

HEMSLEY A NAISMITH CANDIDATE:
Johnny Hemsley has been selected as one of 30 preseason candidatesfor the 1999-2000 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award.Hemsley is one of six BIG EAST athletes recognized as a preseason candidatefor the Naismith Award. Joining Hemsley on the list are Erick Barkley (St.John’s), Khalid El-Amin (Connecticut), Kevin Freeman (Connecticut), TroyMurphy (Notre Dame) and Etan Thomas (Syracuse). The candidates were selectedby a vote of the Board of Selectors comprised of leading basketball coaches,journalists and basketball analysts.

WINNING WAYS:
Miami’s 23-7 record last season marked its fifth consecutive winningseason. The last time Miami recorded at least five straight winning seasonswas the 1968-69 campaign when the ‘Canes registered their 10th straightwinning season.

VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
With its win over Central Florida Miami improved its record againstteams from the state of Florida to 285-141 (.669). Miami has won its last 20games against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has not lost to aFlorida school since a 72-64 season opening loss to Florida International onDec. 1, 1992.

MAKING ROAD HISTORY:
With its 73-71 win over Connecticut last season at Gampel Pavilion,Miami became the first school in BIG EAST history to defeat Connecticut,Syracuse, St. John’s and Georgetown on the road in the same season.

ROAD WARRIORS:
Last season Miami registered a 12-4 record (2-1 at neutral sites)when away from home last season. Miami was 8-1 in BIG EAST road games and10-3 on the road during the regular season. The 10 road wins were the mostsince 1959-60. Miami is 1-1 on the road this season.

WORKING OVERTIME:
Miami’s game last season against Connecticut on Jan. 20 marked theHurricanes first overtime contest since a 76-68 victory over St. John’s inthe opening round of the 1997 BIG EAST Tournament.

UM has amassed a 5-2 record (including tournament games) in BIG EASTovertime contests (3-2 at home). Miami’s game against St. John’s on Feb. 20,1996 is its only double-overtime game in a BIG EAST contest since joiningthe league in the 1991-92 season.

The ‘Canes, who have never had more than three overtime games in anyseason (3-0 in 1986-87 and 0-3 in 1990-91), own a 21-19 overall record inovertime contests during their history (4-3 in double-overtime games and a17-16 mark in single-overtime contests). UM has never played atriple-overtime game.

Miami is 5-5 in overtime games under head coach Leonard Hamilton.Below is a list of UM’s overtime games under Hamilton:

UM TICKETS ON SALE:
Single-game tickets for all University of Miami men’s basketballhome games at the Miami Arena are on sale at the Hecht Athletic CenterTicket Office on the UM campus, the Miami Arena, and through TicketMaster.

Sidecourt reserved seats are $13 and endcourt reserved seats are $10for each of Miami’s six non-conference games, not including Kentucky. Alltickets for the Kentucky game on Jan. 29 are $20 and include admission tothe Miami women’s contest against Connecticut immediately following themen’s game. Single game tickets for UM’s eight BIG EAST contests are $18 forsidecourt reserved and $15 for endcourt reserved. For the fourth straightseason a youth (17 and under) endcourt reserved ticket can be purchased for$7.

The Hurricane Ticket Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information callthe UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-CANES in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES:
Against Hartford, Mario Bland recorded his third consecutivedouble-double and the tenth double-double of his career. Last season MarioBland ranked second on the team with five double-doubles. Bland recordedfour of those double-doubles in the final eight games of the season. MiamiHeat first round draft choice Tim James led Miami with 10 double-doubles.

Dating back to last season, Bland has recorded seven double-doublesin his last 14 games.

1998-99 Hurricane Double-Doubles:

1999-00 Hurricane Double-Doubles:

ONLINE ALL THE TIME:
Check out the Hurricanes’ website at www.hurricanesports.com for allthe latest information on University of Miami athletics.

1999-00 MISCELLANEOUS STATS

Double Figure Scoring Games

20-Point Scoring Games

Double Figure Rebound Games

Double Figure Assist Games

Double-Doubles

Dunks

HURRICANES END 1998-99 SEASON NATIONALLY RANKED:
The University of Miami ended the season ranked 10th in the finalAssociated Press College Basketball Top-25 poll and 12th in the seasonending ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top-25 poll.

Prior to last season’s debut at No. 25 in the Jan. 18 AssociatedPress poll Miami had not been ranked in the Associated Press poll since theend of the 1959-60 season when the Hurricanes were ranked No. 10 in thecountry. Miami reached a season-high of No. 9 in the nation in the March 1Associated Press poll. Miami’s highest ranking came on Mar. 1, 1960 when theHurricanes were ranked No. 8 by the Associated Press.

MIAMI IN THE PRESEASON POLLS:
The University of Miami men’s basketball team debuted at No. 25 inthe preseason Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll and No. 24 inthe preseason ESPN/USA Today college basketball poll. The preseasonrankings are the first since the 1964-65 season when Miami opened theseason ranked 16th in the nation by United Press International. Prior tothis season Miami had never been ranked in the preseason by the AssociatedPress.

MIAMI IN THE 1999-00 POLLS:
Miami can be found in the Also Receiving Votes section of both theAP and USA Today/ESPN polls. Miami received 15 points placing them at No. 36in the nation in the AP poll. Miami registered six points in the USAToday/ESPN poll. The six points places the Hurricanes at No. 35 in thenation.

UM in the 1999-00 polls:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
(12/13/99)

Others receiving votes: St. John’s 169, Dayton 168, Utah 105, N.C.State 102, Minnesota 28, Michigan 23, LSU 21, Creighton 20, Kentucky 18,Vanderbilt 16, MIAMI (FL) 15, Tulsa 12, Mississippi 9, Georgia 6, Marshall6, St. Bonaventure 4, UNLV 3, Ball St. 2, Memphis 2, New Mexico St. 2,Wisconsin 2, Delaware 1, Iowa St. 1, N. Iowa 1, SMU 1, Siena 1.

ESPN/USA TODAY
(12/13/99)

Others Receiving Votes: Gonzaga 105, Dayton 50, Kentucky 35, St.John’s 33, N.C. State 27, Creighton 15, Colorado 15, Wisconsin 8,Mississippi 8, MIAMI (FL) 6, Tulsa 5, South Florida 4, St. Bonaventure 3,Kent 3, Samford 3, Siena 2, Minnesota 1, Delaware 1, Georgia 1.

MOVING UP THE SCORING LIST:
With his three-point basket at 18:16 of the first-half againstBethune-Cookman, Johnny Hemsley became the 22nd player in Miami history toscore 1,000 career points. Against Hartford, Hemsley scored 20 points toimprove his career total to 1,067. Hemsley needs 10 points to move past BobCampbell (1946-50) into 17th-place on UM’s career list.

UM Career Scoring List:

JENNINGS MOVES UP LADDER:
Vernon Jennings recorded seven assists against Hartford to improvehis career assist total to 329. Jennings currently ranks fourth on UM’scareer assist list and needs 55 to reach Thomas Hocker in third place.

JENNINGS WINS BIG EAST ASSIST TITLE:
Miami point guard Vernon Jennings won the 1998-99 BIG EAST assisttitle with an average of 6.06 per game in league play. Jennings handed out109 assists in 18 games setting a Miami BIG EAST single season record.Jennings is the second Hurricane in as many seasons to lead the league in astatistical category. Mario Bland led the league in field goal percentagelast season.

JENNINGS SETS ASSIST RECORD:
Vernon Jennings recorded a team-high eight assists against St.John’s (3-5-99) last season and in doing so set a Miami single season assistrecord. Jennings ended the season with 167 assists surpassing the old markof 154 set by Michael Gardner in 1992-93.

BOMBS AWAY:
Senior Johnny Hemsley connected on 70 three-point baskets lastseason to improve his career total to 100. Hemsley is 7-30 (.233) fromthree-point range this season. Hemsley currently ranks fifth on Miami’sall-time career list.

HURRICANES HIT 100:
Miami defeated Bethune-Cookman 102-75 marking the second 100-pointscoring game for Miami in as many seasons. Last season Miami defeatedVillanova 103-82 marking the most points scored by a Hurricane team in a BIGEAST game.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Miami shot 51.4 percent (37-72) against Hartford marking the secondtime this season the Hurricanes have shot 50 percent or better from thefloor. Miami shot 54.1 percent (33-61) from the floor againstBethune-Cookman (11-30-99).

Last season the Hurricanes shot over 50 percent from the floor on 12occasions. Miami shot 50 percent or better from the floor only five times in1997-98. Against Villanova (2-16-99) the Hurricanes shot a season high 60.6percent from the field. The percentage was the highest for the Hurricanessince connecting on 40-61 (.655) in a 107-98 win over Savannah State onMarch 2, 1989.

Miami 50 Percent Shooting Performances (since 1998)

EASY AS 1, 2, 3:
The Hurricanes have hit at least one three-point field goal in eachof the past 227 games, extending the school-record. Overall, the ‘Canes havehit at least one trey in 381 of its 382 games since the NCAA adopted thethree-point shot in 1986. The only game Miami has failed to hit athree-point field goal was against Howard University on Dec. 6, 1991 whenthe ‘Canes were 0-15 behind the three-point arc.

LOCKING UP:
In Miami’s win over Bethune-Cookman the Hurricanes held the Wildcatswithout a point over a five minute stretch of the first half marking thesecond time this season that Hurricanes have held an opponent scoreless forfive or more minutes. In Miami’s season opening win over Central Florida theHurricanes went on a 12-0 run in the second half holding the Golden Knightsscoreless over a 5:08 span.

Last season Miami made a habit of holding opponents scoreless forlong stretches. Eight times last season the Hurricanes held an opponentscoreless for over five or more minutes.

1998-99

1999-00

MIAMI RANKS FOR THIRD STAIGHT SEASON:
Last season the Hurricanes ranked nationally in field goalpercentage defense for the third consecutive season. The University of Miamiended the season ranked 13th in the nation in field goal percentage defense(.384). In 1997-98 the University of Miami led the nation holding teams to37.9 percent shooting from the floor. In 1996-97 Miami held opponents to 38percent shooting from the field to rank sixth nationally.

POSTING GREAT NUMBERS:
The Hurricanes did a great job last season of controlling opponentscenters. Of the 30 games the Hurricanes played last season only fiveopponent centers managed to score in double figures while only one grabbed10 or more rebounds. Miami limited opponent’s centers to an average of 6.4points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

In the first six games this season the Hurricanes have held theopposition’s starting centers to a combined total of 22 points and 13rebounds, an average of 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

1998-99

1999-00

HEMSLEY ON PRESEASON FIRST TEAM:
University of Miami senior Johnny Hemsley was named to the preseasonAll-BIG EAST first team by a vote of the league’s coaches at the BIG EASTConference Men’s Basketball Media Day at the Grand Hyatt in New York.

1999-00 PRESEASON AWARDS

All-BIG EAST First Team
Khalid El-Amin, Connecticut
Johnny Hemsley, Miami
Troy Murphy, Notre Dame
Erick Barkley, St. John’s
Etan Thomas, Syracuse

All-BIG EAST Second Team
Kevin Freeman, Connecticut
Isaac Hawkins, Pittsburgh
Bootsy Thornton, St. John’s
Jason Hart, Syracuse
Marcus Goree, West Virginia

Player of the Year: Khalid El-Amin, Connecticut
Rookie of the Year: Ajou Deng, Connecticut

HURRICANES TABBED FOURTH:
The men’s basketball team was selected to finish fourth in theconference behind Connecticut, Syracuse, and St. John’s. Miami, whichreturns four starters from last season’s squad, received one first placevote.

1999-00 BIG EAST Coaches’ Preseason Poll

HEMSLEY NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Johnny Hemsley was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week threetimes last season. Hemsley won the award for the first time last season onDec. 21 following his career-high 24 point performance in Miami’s 76-55 winat Georgia State. Hemsley was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week for thesecond time on Jan. 4 following his career-high 35 point performance inMiami’s 64-63 win at Georgetown on Dec. 30. Hemsley’s third honor came onFeb. 22 when he was named BIG EAST Co-Player of the Week after averaging22.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in the Hurricanes to two victories. Hemsleyshared the honor with Providence forward Jamel Thomas.

SELECT COMPANY:
Entering the 1999-2000 season the Hurricanes are one of just threeBIG EAST schools to post a winning overall record each of the past fiveseasons. Joining the Hurricanes are Syracuse and Connecticut.

ON THE RISE:
Since the start of the 1994-95 season UM has compiled a 52-38 (.578)record in BIG EAST regular season games. Only Connecticut, Villanova, andSyracuse have more conference wins over that period.

Conference Records Since 1994-95:

HURRICANES TAKE HOME HARDWARE:
Last season University of Miami head basketball coach LeonardHamilton was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year, senior forward Tim James(Miami Northwestern) was named BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year and juniorguard Johnny Hemsley (Baltimore, MD) was named the league’s Most ImprovedPlayer last season by a vote of the conference coaches.

1998-99 BIG EAST AWARDS

BIG EAST Co-Players of the Year
Richard Hamilton, Connecticut
Tim James, Miami

BIG EAST Rookie of the Year
Troy Murphy, Notre Dame

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Etan Thomas, Syracuse

BIG EAST Most Improved Player
Johnny Hemsley, Miami

BIG EAST Coach of the Year
Leonard Hamilton, Miami

WINNING WAYS IN THE NCAA:
After a 10-4 mark last season, BIG EAST teams have compiled a 155-91record in the NCAA Tournament play. The .630 winning percentage is thesecond best in the nation amongst conferences. The ACC is first with a .670winning percentage.

LEAGUE SCHEDULE REDUCED TO 16 GAMES:
For the first since 1990-91, each BIG EAST team will play only 16regular season conference games. The league has played 18 conference gamessince 1991-92. The 16 game schedule offers schools more flexibility inscheduling. BIG EAST teams have a better opportunity to improve their RPI(ratings percentage index) rankings and the league’s representation in theNCAA Tournament. the reduction to a 16-game league schedule has eliminatedDecember play dates.

STARTING AGAIN:
Nearly every BIG EAST team returns a majority of its starters fromlast season. Three squads – Boston College, Georgetown and Syracuse – bringback all five starters from 1998-99.

BEATING THE BEST:
BIG EAST teams were 16-13 against opponents ranked in the AP polllast season giving the league the highest victory total and best record ofany conference in the nation.

A SWEEPING SUCCESS:
With their win over Rutgers in last season’s regular season finalethe Hurricanes completed their fourth series sweep of the season. Miami hasregistered 10 BIG EAST regular season two-game sweeps since joining theleague in the 1991-92 season. Miami has now recorded at least one seriessweep in each of the last five seasons. Below is a list of UM’s BIG EASTseries sweeps:

POWER SCHEDULE:
Miami’s schedule includes 11 schools that rank in the top-50all-time in terms of winning percentage in NCAA history. The BIG EASTConference alone has eight teams that rank in the top-50 all-time. Miamiwill play 14 of its 29 regular season games against schools that rank in thetop-50 all-time. Seven of those games will be played at Miami Arena. BIGEAST opponents in CAPS.

1999-00 BIG EAST STANDINGS
(games through Dec. 12)

THIS WEEK IN THE BIG EAST

Monday, December 13
Columbia at Seton Hall 7:30

Tuesday, December 14
St. John’s at DePaul 7:30

Wednesday, December 15
Villanova at Temple 9:00

Saturday, December 18
Houston at Georgetown 1:00
VMI at Notre Dame 2:00
Appalachian State at Pittsburgh 5:00
MIAMI vs. North Carolina 7:00
Elon at Rutgers 7:30

Sunday, December 19
Michigan at Boston College 1:00

1999-00 MIAMI BIG EAST TEAM RANKINGS
(games through Dec. 12)

1999-00 INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
(games through Dec. 12)