Men's Basketball Prepares For Big East Tournament

March 6, 2000

1999-2000 BIG EAST Regular Season Co-Champions
(20-9, 13-3 BIG EAST – Second Seed)
2000 AT&T BIG EAST Championship – March 8-11, 2000
Madison Square Garden (19,763) – New York, NY
ESPN, espn2, Hurricane Radio Network

MIAMI SEEDED SECOND

The University of Miami earned a share of the BIG EAST regularseason championship with its win over St. John’s on March 5th and enter the2000 AT&T BIG EAST Championship as the second seed. Miami, which receives afirst round bye, will face (7) Notre Dame at 7p.m. on Thursday, March 9 at Madison Square Garden.

AT&T BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUPS

UM IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT

Miami enters its ninth BIG EAST Championship as the No. 2 seedmatching the highest seed in school history. Miami is 4-8 all-time in BIGEAST Tournament competition.

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.

This season Hamilton guided the Hurricanes to its second consecutive20-win season and a share of the BIG EAST regular season title. The title isthe first BIG EAST championship for Miami while its back-to-back 20-winseasons are the first since the 1964-65 campaign.

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 seasons at OklahomaState where he led the Cowboys to their first back-to-back postseason berthsin 36 years. Hamilton’s record at UM is 141-145 (.493) while his career markstands at 197-208 (.486).

Probable Hurricane Starters

THE BUILDING BLOCKS

Miami seniors Mario Bland, Johnny Hemsley and Vernon Jennings havebeen an integral part of the Hurricanes’ ascent into the national spotlight.

Now in their fourth season the three have led Miami to a 77-39(.664) record, four consecutive winning season, a share of the 1999-2000 BIGEAST regular season title and three straight postseason appearancesincluding NCAA Tournament bids in 1998 and 1999. Miami’s NCAA Tournament bidin 1998 marked the school’s first since 1960 while its BIG EAST regulatseason title was the first in school history.

Additionally, Miami’s 77 wins are the most in a four year periodsince UM won 80 games from 1962-66 while its .664 winning percentage is thehighest since Miami posted a 72-33 (.686) record from 1963-67.

Over the last four seasons Miami’s three seniors have led theHurricanes to a 48-22 (.686) record tying Connecticut for the bestconference mark over that period.

With a post season bid in this season, the trio will become thefirst Hurricanes to reach the post season in four consecutive seasons.

THE NOTRE DAME SERIES

Miami and Notre Dame have faced off 12 times, including two timesthis season. The all-time series is tied 6-6 although Miami has won four ofthe last five meetings. The Hurricanes won both games this season.

THE RUTGERS SERIES

Miami and Rutgers have met nine time with the Hurricanes leading theall-time series 7-2. The Hurricanes have won five straight against theScarlet Knights including a 58-52 win this season. Miami and Rutgers havemet one at the BIG EAST Tournament with Hurricanes taking a 77-67 decisionin the opening round of the 1996 Championship.

HURRICANES EARN SHARE OF BIG EAST TITLE

With its 74-70 win over St. John’s on March 5 the University ofMiami earned a share of the 1999-2000 BIG EAST regular season title. The BIGEAST title is the first for Miami and the Hurricanes first conference titleof any kind since the 1964-65 season. That season the Hurricanes went 10-0to win their eighth straight Florida Intercollegiate Conferencechampionship. The league, which consisted of Miami, Florida Southern,Jacksonville, Rollins, Stetson and Tampa, was disbanded the following year.

LOOKING FOR 20

Miami win over St. John’s in its regular season finale improved theHurricanes’ record to 20-9 marking UM’s second consecutive 20-win season.The back-to-back 20-win seasons are the first for Miami since the 1964-65season. That season the Hurricanes finished 22-4 for their third consecutive20-win season.

A QUARTERFINAL WIN WOULD

• Give mark the Hurricanes’ second straight trip to the semifinals of the BIG EAST tournament.
• Be Miami’s sixth consecutive win.
• Be Miami’s ninth win in its last 10 games.

HEMSLEY, BLAND HONORED

University of Miami senior guard Johnny Hemsley was namedsecond-team All-BIG EAST and senior center Mario Bland was selectedthird-team All-Conference by a vote of the leagues coaches.

1999-00 ALL-BIG EAST

First Team
Khalid El-Amin, Connecticut
Troy Murphy, Notre Dame
Erick Barkley, St. John’s
Etan Thomas, Syracuse
Jason Hart, Syracuse

Second Team
JOHNNY HEMSLEY, MIAMI
Ricardo Greer, Pittsburgh
Lavor Postell, St. John’s
Shaheen Holloway, Seton Hall
Malik Allen, Villanova

Third Team
MARIO BLAND, MIAMI
Bootsy Thornton, St. John’s
Marcus Goree, West Virginia
Ryan Blackwell, Syracuse
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, Georgetown

ROAD WARRIORS

Over the last two seasons Miami is 15-2 in BIG EAST road games. The15-2 mark is the best among BIG EAST schools over the last two seasons.Miami, which was 8-1 in BIG EAST road games last season, was 7-1 inconference road games this season. Miami has won 16 of its last 18 BIG EASTroad games dating back to the 1997-98 season.

Top BIG EAST Road Records Over Last Two Seasons
(games through 3/1/00)

MAKING ROAD HISTORY

With its 73-71 win over Connecticut during the 1998-99 season atGampel Pavilion, Miami became the first school in BIG EAST history to defeatConnecticut, Syracuse, St. John’s and Georgetown on the road in the sameseason.

MAKING ROAD HISTORY – PART II

With its 63-57 win over Connecticut on February 19 of this seasonthe University of Miami became the first school to win consecutive gamesagainst the Huskies at Gampel Pavilion. Miami defeated Connecticut 73-71 inits previous trip to Storrs on February 20, 1999.

WINNING WAYS

With its 63-57 win over Connecticut on February 19, the Universityof Miami clinched its six consecutive winning season. The last time Miamirecorded at least six straight winning seasons was the 1968-69 campaign whenthe ‘Canes registered their 10th straight winning season.

PLAYING SPOILER

Miami’s win over No. 18 St. John’s this season marked the sixthconsecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent inthe Miami Arena.

Wins Over Ranked Teams at Miami Arena since 1994-95:

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS

Miami was 4-3 against ranked teams last season including a 3-1 markagainst ranked teams on the road. The Hurricanes are 11-12 versus rankedopponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in eachof the last six seasons. Miami is 2-3 versus ranked teams this season.

Miami Victories Over Ranked Teams:

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.

FEBRUARY HEAT WAVE

Over the last two seasons Miami has been nearly unbeatable in themonth of February registering a 15-1 (.938) record. Miami went 7-1 in themonth of February this season while going 8-0 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 54-30 (.643) recordagainst non-conference opponents, including a 40-13 mark (.755) at the MiamiArena.

MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA

This year marked the 11th season that Miami has called the MiamiArena home. The ‘Canes have compiled a 115-62 (.650) overall record at theArena, including a 10-4 mark this season. UM has posted a 68-21 (.764) homerecord since 1994. UM is 39-14 (.736) in its last 53 BIG EAST home gamesdating back to the 1994-95 season.

Miami Home Record Last Five Plus Seasons:

Top 5 BIG EAST Home Winning Percentages (1994-2000)

Overall:

Conference Games Only:

DOUBLE-DOUBLES

Against Pittsburgh, Mario Bland recorded his team leading fourthdouble-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Thedouble-double was the seventh of the season for Miami.

1999-00 Hurricane Double-Doubles:

WORKING OVERTIME

Miami’s game this season versus St. John’s marked the Hurricanes’first overtime contest since last seasons game against Connecticut on Jan.20. UM has amassed a 6-2 record (including tournament games) in BIG EASTovertime contests (4-2 at home). Miami’s game against St. John’s on Feb. 20,1996 is UM’s only double-overtime game in a BIG EAST contest. The ‘Canes,who have never had more than three overtime games in any season (3-0 in1986-87 and 0-3 in 1990-91), own a 22-19 overall record in overtime contestsduring their history (4-3 in double-overtime games and a 18-16 mark insingle-overtime contests). UM has never played a triple-overtime game.Miami is 6-5 in overtime games under head coach Leonard Hamilton. Below is alist of UM’s overtime games under Hamilton:

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.

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

JENNINGS SETS ASSIST RECORD, AGAIN

Vernon Jennings handed out 178 assists this season breaking his ownUM single season assist record. Last season Jennings set a UM record with167 assists.

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. Later this season senior center Mario Blandscored a career-high 24 points against Boston College (1-22-00) to becamethe 23rd player in UM history to record 1,000 career points.

Hemsley ranks seventh on UM’s career scoring list while Bland is in17th place.

UM Career Scoring List:

JENNINGS MOVES UP LADDER

Vernon Jennings recorded eight assists against St. John’s to improvehis career assist total to 480. Jennings ranks second on UM’s career assistslist and needs 14 assists to pass Kevin Norris, who handed out 493 assistsfrom 1994-98, into first place on UM’s all-time list.

1. Kevin Norris (1994-98)          4932. VERNON JENNINGS (1996-present)  480

BOMBS AWAY

Senior Johnny Hemsley has recorded 46 three-point baskets thisseason to improve his career total to 146. Hemsley currently ranks third onMiami’s all-time career list.

1. Steven Edwards (1992-96)        2652. Kevin Presto (1985-89)          1703. JOHNNY HEMSLEY (1996-present)   146

DEAD-EYE FROM THE LINE

Miami is shooting a league best 74.9 percent from free throw linethis season. Miami’s five starters have combined to shoot 373-483 (.772)from the line while the starting backcourt of Johnny Hemsley and VernonJennings are shooting 148-187 (.791) from the charity stripe.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

Miami shot 52.4 percent from the field against Pittsburgh (2-29-00)marking the fifth time this season the Hurricanes have shot 50 percent orbetter from the floor. Last season the Hurricanes shot over 50 percent fromthe floor on 12 occasions. Miami shot 50 percent or better from the flooronly five times in 1997-98.

Miami 50 Percent Shooting Performances (since 1998)

EASY AS 1, 2, 3

Prior to the St. John’s game on March 5, the Hurricanes had hit atleast one three-point field goal in 249 consecutive games. Overall, the’Canes have hit at least one trey in 403 of its 405 games since the NCAAadopted the three-point shot in 1986. The only other game in which Miamifailed to hit a three-point field goal was against Howard University on Dec.6, 1991 when the ‘Canes were 0-15 behind the three-point arc.

DEFENDING THE BIG EAST

This season the Hurricanes led the BIG EAST in scoring defense (58.2ppg), field goal percentage defense (.377) and three-point field goalpercentage defense (.259). Miami has led the conference in field goalpercentage defense for two straight seasons while its 58.2 points per gameallowed established a new BIG EAST record. The Hurricanes broke the old markof 59.4 points per game set by Georgetown in 1981-82.

LOCKING UP

Over the last three seasons Miami has been one of the nation’sleaders in field goal percentage defense. Miami is holding opponents to 39.3percent shooting from the field this season and made a habit of holdingteams without a field goal for long stretches. This season the Hurricaneshave held teams without a field goal for five minutes or more a total of 28times while holding teams scoreless for five or more minutes seven times.

MAN OF STEAL

Senior guard Vernon Jennings set a career-high with seven stealsagainst West Virginia (1-5-00). The seven steals ranked as the secondhighest single game total in UM history and were the most since Jerome Scottrecorded nine steals against Florida International on March 4, 1991.Jennings currently has 188 career steals to rank second on UM’s career list.

1. Kevin Norris (1994-98)          2082. VERNON JENNINGS (1996-present)  188

MIAMI RANKS FOR FOURTH STAIGHT SEASON

Miami currently ranks 26th in the nation in field goal percentagedefense marking the fourth straight season the Hurricanes have rankednationally in the category. Last season the Hurricanes ended the seasonranked 13th in the nation in field goal percentage defense (.384). In1997-98 the University of Miami led the nation holding teams to 37.9 percentshooting from the floor. In 1996-97 Miami held opponents to 38 percentshooting from the field to rank sixth nationally.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Over the last 12 games the Hurricanes have stepped up theirdefensive play holding opponents to just 235-643 (.365) shooting from thefloor. Miami has held nine of its last 12 opponents to under 40 percentshooting from the field. In addition, Miami’s perimeter defense has alsobeen strong holding its last 12 opponents to 58-231 (.251) from three-pointrange. Miami has also held its last 19 opponents to 70 points or less and anaverage of just 58.4 points per game.

POSTING GREAT NUMBERS

This season the Hurricanes have held the opposition’s startingcenters to a combined total of 183 points and 133 rebounds, an average of6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Miami has allowed only seven startingcenters this season to score in double-figures and only three to grab 10 ormore rebounds.

Of the 30 games the Hurricanes played last season only five opponentcenters managed to score in double figures while only one grabbed 10 or morerebounds. Miami limited opponent’s centers to an average of 6.4 points and5.1 rebounds per game.

1999-00

JENNINGS REPEATS AS ASSIST CHAMPION

Miami point guard Vernon Jennings handed out 111 assist (6.94 apg)in BIG EAST play this season marking the second straight season Jennings hasled conference in assists.

Jennings is just the fourth player in BIG EAST history and the firstsince Sherman Douglas (Syracuse) in 1988-89 to lead the conference inassists in back-to-back seasons. Douglas led the BIG EAST in assists forthree straight seasons from 1986-89. The only others to lead the BIG EAST inassists for two straight seasons are Dwayne “Pearl” Washington (Syracuse)from 1983-85 and Stewart Granger (Villanova) from 1980-82.

Jennings won the 1998-99 BIG EAST assist title with an average of6.06 per game in league play. Jennings handed out 109 assists setting a UMBIG EAST single-season record.

AMONG THE ELITE

Since the start of the 1996-97 season UM has compiled a 48-22 (.686)record in BIG EAST regular season games tying Connecticut for the bestconference mark over that period.

Conference Records Since 1996-97:

HURRICANES TABBED FOURTH:

The men’s basketball team was selected to finish fourth in theconference behind Connecticut, Syracuse, and St. John’s. Miami did receiveone first place vote.

1999-00 BIG EAST Coaches’ Preseason Poll

BLAND NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Miami center Mario Bland was named BIG EAST Player of the Week forthe week ending March 5, 2000 after averaging 19.5 points and 8.5 reboundsper game as the Hurricanes defeated Pittsburgh and St. John’s. Bland tallied20 points and 10 rebounds as Miami defeated Pittsburgh, 74-66, on the road.He followed that game with a 19 point, seven rebound performance as Miamiknocked off 18th ranked St. John’s at Miami Arena. In that game Bland hitjumper from the top of the key with 10 seconds remaining in regulation whichsent the game into overtime. The award is the first of Blands career, andthe first won by a Hurricane this season.

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

The University of Miami has registered a league best 28-6 (.824)conference mark over the last two seasons. Miami, which was 15-3 in leagueplay last season, went 13-3 this year.

Conference Record Last Two Seasons:

A SWEEPING SUCCESS

With their win over Pittsburgh on February 29 the Hurricanesrecorded their third season sweep this season. Miami also swept Notre Dameand West Virginia. Miami has registered 13 BIG EAST regular season two-gamesweeps since joining the league in the 1991-92 season. Miami has nowrecorded at least one series sweep in each of the last six seasons. Below isa list of UM’s BIG EAST series sweeps:

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

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.

POWER SCHEDULE:

Miami’s schedule included 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 FINAL BIG EAST STANDINGS

1999-00 MIAMI BIG EAST TEAM RANKINGS
(all games)

1999-00 INDIVIDUAL BIG EAST RANKINGS
(all games)