Women's Hoops Battles No. 4 NC State Saturday

Dec. 16, 1999

WELCOME TO MIAMI….This is the 3rd meeting between the two schools. N.C.State holds a 2-0 advantage winning during the 1980-81 (97-50) and the1983-84 (60-54) seasons. Both of those contests were road games for the’Canes.

UM is 4-2 on the season with wins over Furman (88-46), EasternKentucky (83-66), Florida International (76-61) and Florida Atlantic(89-73). The Hurricanes two losses came against Tulane (75-66) and Florida(85-77). Miami is led offensively by Sheila James (15.2 ppg., 4.8 rpg.) andGina Graziani (11.0 ppg., 6.7 apg.).

LAST TIME OUT….UM defeated Florida Atlantic, 89-73, on Saturday, Dec.1 atFAU Gymnasium. The Hurricanes used a balanced scoring attack as five playersscoring in double figures. James led the onslaught with 15 followed byKathryn Fowler (14), Camilla Osth (13), Graziani (12) and Dona Nando (11).The performances by Fowler, Osth and Nando were all career-highs.

HEAD COACH FERNE LABATI….Is the all-time winningest coach at theUniversity of Miami. In her 12th season at the helm, Labati’s record standsat 208-119 (.636). She has led her teams to six berths in post season play,four trips to the NCAA tournament and two to the Women’s NIT. The ‘Caneshave made two consecutive post season appearances, the 1998-99 trip to the

NCAA tourney and last year’s invitation to the WNIT. The Hurricanes wonback-to-back BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles in 1992 and 1993,while finishing as high as No. 6 nationally. Her 1996-97 team won a shareof the BIG EAST 7 division title.

N.C. State is led by Kay Yow. Yow is in her 25th year at the helmof the Wolfpack program and is 520-214 (708). She boasts a career mark of560-221 (.717) in 29 years.

Probable Starters

Miami Hurricanes – 4-2-, 0-0- BIG EAST

Head Coach: Ferne Labati

N.C. State Wolfpack 8-0-, 2-0-Atlantic Coast Conference

Head Coach: Kay Yow

MIAMI VS. RANKED OPPONENTS….No. 4 N.C. State is the first ranked opponentthe Hurricanes have faced this year. Earlier in the season UM fell to No.24 Tulane who was then receiving votes. The last time Miami defeated aranked opponent was on January 16 when it defeated No. 21 Boston College66-53.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN….Head Coach Ferne Labati announces the captains forthe 1999-2000 basketball season. Senior Gina Graziani was selected as teamcaptain while junior Camilla …sth was chosen to serve as co-captain.

HOME SWEET HOME….The ‘Canes opened the season 4-2, defeating Furman(88-46), Eastern Kentucky (83-66), Florida International (76-61) and FloridaAtlantic (89-73). UM’ s two losses came at the hands of Tulane (75-66) andFlorida (85-77). The Florida Atlantic game marked the first road game forthe Hurricanes. The Hurricanes played their first five contests of the1999-2000 season on familiar territory at the Knight Sports Complex. Thiswas the first time in program history that UM has played more than the firstthree games of the season at home. UM played the first three games at homein 1975-76, going 1-2 and then again in 1989-90 in Labati’s second season atthe Gables. That year, the Hurricanes went 3-0, defeating Florida (76-61),Niagara (88-52) and Arizona (85-65).

WE GOT NEXT….Following today’s contest, the Hurricanes will host theGatorade Hurricane Holiday Classic on Dec.28-29. Visiting teams includeBrown, Maryland and Southern Methodist. UM is scheduled to face Brown onTuesday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. and Maryland will take on SMU at 4 p.m. Theconsolation game is slated for 2 p.m. the following day while thechampionship game will tip-off at 4 p.m.

PLAYING THE BEST….During the 1999-2000 season, the Hurricanes have playedor are slated to play five teams ranked in the the AP Top 25 as of December13 including the contest with No. 4 N.C. State. The ‘Canes open their BIGEAST schedule January 5 on the road vs. No. 16 Rutgers. UM hosts No. 11Notre Dame on January 22. UM will face No. 1 Connecticut on January 29 atthe Miami Arena and then again on February 8 in Storrs. The ‘Canes dropped a76-66 decision to No 24 Tulane earlier in the season. Opponents BostonCollege and Florida are also receiving votes.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN….The BIG EAST Conference has three member schools inthe AP Top 25 poll as of December 13. Connecticut checks in at No. 1followed by No. 11 Notre Dame and No. 16 Rutgers. Boston College is alsoreceiving votes.

PLAYING LIKE A VETERAN…. Guard Amanda Papuga looked anything but green inher first appearance in a collegiate game. Papuga came off the bench toscore 19 points, shooting 9-for-12 from the field. She had a team-high sixdishes and garnered two thefts in 21 minutes of play. For her performancein the win over Furman (88-46), she was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week.

INCREASED OUTPUT…. Although senior point guard Gina Graziani had alwaysbeen known to have a hand in UM’s scoring, it has usually been a helpinghand because of her reputation as a playmaker. Not so for the currentseason. “Graz” is currently second on the team in scoring at 11.0 a clip.She has more than doubled her scoring average of 5.2 ppg. from a year agoand has recorded double-figure scoring efforts in four of six games thisyear.

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR…. UM has two international players on the roster inCamilla Osth and Dalia Clarke. Osth hails from Sodertalje, Sweden whileClarke is from Antigua in the West Indies.

NO SMALL FEAT…. Listed at a mere 5-5, guard Sheila James is one of thesmallest players on the UM roster but her play is anything but small. Jamesscored a career-high and team-leading 21 points in UM’s rout of Furman(88-46). James shot 8-for-15 from the field including a 5-for-7 effort fromthe arc. The guard also picked up four steals and five assists. Shemanaged 12 points, four rebounds and three steals in the win over EasternKentucky. She led the ‘Canes in scoring against Florida and FloridaInternational with 19 points and managed 15 in the win over FAU. For theseason she is averaging 15.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg.

HARTLAUB UP-FRONT…. Freshman Alicia Hartlaub (Schaefferstown, PA/ELCO) hasbeen a force to be reckoned with this season. She has led the team inrebounding in three of six games games this season, averaging a team-leading8.0 an outting. In the loss to Florida (85-77), the forward came up big,setting career marks with 20 points and 13 rebounds for her first careerdouble-double.

SEEING DOUBLE…. Senior Gina Graziani recorded back-to-back double-doublesagainst Eastern Kentucky and Tulane, giving her 7 in her career. She scored16 points and recorded 11 dishes in the win over EKU and had 11 points and10 assists in the loss to Tulane.

A BALANCED ATTACK….In each of the ‘Canes six games this season, more thanone person has scored in double-figures. In the season opener vs. Furman,James and Papuga erupted for career-highs with 21 and 19 points repectively.Against Eastern Kentucky, four ‘Canes hit for double digits led by freshmanMeghan Saake’s career-high 18 points. Graziani (16 points, 12 assists)andFowler (11 points, 11 rebounds) notched double-doubles. James managed 12points. Graziani recorded a second straight double-double vs. Tulane with11 points and 10 assists. Clarke was good for a career-high 19 points.Three UM players scored in double figures vs. Florida with Hartlaubgarnering her first career double-double with a career-highs in points (20)and rebounds (13). James followed with 19 points and Osth hit for 12. Thewin over FIU saw four Hurricanes in double figures, James (19), Graziani(15), Saake (13) and Hartlaub (12). A season-best five ‘Canes scored indouble digits vs. Florida Atlantic, James (15), Fowler (14), Osth (13),Graziani (12) and Nando (11).

COMMON OPPONENTS….The ‘Canes and the Wolfpack share a common opponent inNo. 16 Rutgers and a possible common opponent in Maryland. N.C. State facedRutgers on Nov. 14, walking away with a 68-55 decision. UM opens its BIGEAST slate at RU on Jan. 5. Maryland is a conference opponent of theWolfpack and the two will face each other in conference play. The Terrapinsare participating in the Gatorade Hurricane Holiday Classic hosted by theUniversity of Miami on Dec. 28-29. and will face SMU on the opening day ofthe tourney while the Hurricanes take on Brown. Game results will determinewhether the teams will meet.

THE LINEUP….The Hurricanes have used only one line up this year and are4-2 on the season with the following starters:

FAB FRESHMEN…. UM freshmen Alicia Hartlaub, Amanda Papuga and Meghan Saakehave made their presence known this season. Hartlaub (9.3 ppg., 8.0 rpg.)and Saake (9.3 ppg., 4.2 rpg.) have started all six games this season whilePapuga has been the first guard of the bench (5.2 ppg., 2.3 apg.). Hartlaubleads the team in rebounding while Papuga was named the BIG EAST Rookie ofthe Week for her 19 point, six assist performance vs. Furman.

WHITE SIDELINED….Sophomore Christal White is out indefintely with a lowerleg stress fracture. She is hopeful for the Gatorade Hurricane HolidayClassic on Dec. 28-29. She is averaging 2.7 ppg. and 3.7 rpg. in 8.3minutes of action.

AFTER THE BREAK….Following the Christmas break the Hurricanes will hostAtlantic 10 foe Temple on January 2 at the Knight Sports Complex. Tip-offis set for 2 p.m. UM then will set off on their first true road trip of theyear, for eight days, leaving sunny Florida from Jan. 4 through 12. The’Canes will face back-to-back BIG EAST teams in Rutgers (Jan. 5) and St.John’s (Jan. 8) before heading to Western Kentucky (Jan. 11).

AFTER THE BREAK….For the first time in program history, WVUM, 90.5 FM, theUniversity of Miami’s student radio station will broadcast Hurricane women’sbasketball road games. The station, which in the past has carried all homegames and traveled to the BIG EAST Tournament will now travel to all BIGEAST away games. WVUM will begin coverage of BIG EAST road games on January5, 2000 when the Hurricanes travel to Rutgers for their BIG EASTseason-opener. WVUM will broadcast 26 of 27 Hurricanes women’s basketballgames this year.

Miami’s Record…

Against Other Conferences:

ANOTHER MILESTONE…With just six more wins, Hurricane head coach FerneLabati will reach the 350 career-win plateau. Labati is in 21st year as ahead coach with an overall record of 344-241. That record includes fiveseasons spent at Trenton State College (80-61), four seasons at FairleighDickinson (56-61) and her time spent here in Coral Gables (208-119). OnJanuary 25, 1996, she became the all-time winningest coach at the Universityof Miami, surpassing Lin Dunn with 150 wins at UM. With that win, shebecame only the second men’s or women’s basketball coach to reach the150-win plateau. On February 2, 1997 Labati became the 59th women’sbasketball coach in NCAA history to win 300 career games in a 70-56 win overVillanova.

THE FERNE LABATI SHOW…Coach Labati’s half-hour show will be broadcastFriday’s at 5 p.m. on SportsChannel beginning January 15, 2000. The show’stopic will focus on the Hurricanes progress throughout the year but willalso include human interest features as well as basketball tips for youngHurricanes.

PRESEASON HYPE..Announced at the 1999 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball MediaLuncheon on Oct. 28, The University of Miami women’s basketball team wasselected to finish seventh by a vote of the league’s coaches.

Connecticut (142 points) received 10 first-place votes in garneringpreseason top honors. Rutgers (135) received three first place votes inbeing selected second followed by Notre Dame (121), Boston College (112),Georgetown (90) and Villanova (86). Miami, which returns sevenletterwinners from last season’s 15-14 squad, received 79 points.

Rounding out the preseason coaches’ poll was Syracuse (59), St.John’s (46), Pittsburgh (44), Seton Hall (39), Providence (38) and WestVirginia (23).

THE DISH ON GRAZIANI…Senior guard Gina Graziani is in her final seasondonning the Orange and Green. She has led the Hurricanes in assists in eachof the previous three seasons. She led the BIG EAST conference in thatcategory during both her freshman and sophomore campaigns. She needs lessthan 100 assists to become the BIG EAST career leader in assists. Thesenior is currently in second place all-time at UM with 598 assists andneeds 96 to take over the No. 1 spot held by Jeannie Hebert (694).

ASSISTS

MIAMI INKS TWO DURING SIGNING PERIOD: Head women’s basketball coach FerneLabati announces the signing of Shannon Presswood and Shaquana Wilkins tonational letters of intent to attend the University of Miami next fall.

Presswood, a 6-4 center out of Orangeville, Ontario, Canada led theOrangeville District Secondary School to the 1998-99 bronze medal at theOntario “AA” Championship last year. As a junior, she averaged 18.0 pointsand 9.0 rebounds per game. In addition, Presswood has spent the last threeyears playing for the Royal City Rebels club team. Last season, she scored21 points and 10 rebounds per game while leading the Rebels to the Ontario”AA” consolation championship. She chose UM over East Carolina, Toledo andWest Virginia.

Wilkins, a 6-2 forward out of Orlando, Florida, attends Winter ParkHigh school where as a junior she helped her team to a 24-4 overall record.Her team earned a spot in the Florida High School Athletic AssociationRegional Tournament while Wilkins averaged 15.0 points and 11.1 rebounds pergame while shooting 53.4% from the floor. Wilkins also plays for theOrlando Warriors AAU team, averaging 13.5 ppg and 9.3 rpg. The Warriorsfinished 13th in the AAU National Championships this past summer.