Men's Basketball Gets Ready For Columbia

Nov. 20, 2000

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TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: Columbia enters tonight’s game with a record of 1-1 following a 62-40 loss to Central Connecticut State in the finals of the Mohegan Sun Tournament on November 18. Columbia reached the finals with a 63-58 win over Catholic University in the tournament’s opening round.

The Lions have been led this season by forwards Craig Austin and Joe Case. Austin, a 6-6 junior, has been Columbia’s leading scorer in both games this season and is averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Case, a 6-8 junior, ranks second on the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game while pulling down a team-high eight rebounds per game.

THE SERIES: Miami and Columbia meet for the third time with the series tied 1-1. Miami and Columbia last met on December 29, 1995 with the Hurricanes edging the Lions, 69-62, at the Miami Arena. The two teams first met on December 18, 1952 in Miami. That night the Lions went home with a 65-59 win.

FOR OPENERS: Tonight’s contest marks the home opener for the Hurricanes. Miami has won its last seven home openers and is 12-3 (.800) is home openers since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami’s all-time record in home opening games is 39-11 (.780).

Miami has not lost a home opener since the 1992-93 season when Florida International defeated Miami 72-64 at Miami Arena. In last season’s home opener the Hurricanes defeated Monmouth 67-46.

A WIN TONIGHT WOULD:

• Improve Miami’s record to 2-0.
• Improve Perry Clark’s record at UM to 2-0.
• Mark the eight straight home opening win for Miami.
• Improve the Hurricanes’ all-time record in home openers to 39-11 (.780).
• Improve the Hurricanes’ all-time record at Miami Arena to 116-62 (.652).
• Improve Miami’s all-time record against non-conference opponents at Miami Arena to 41-13 (.759).
• Mark Miami’s fifth consecutive win over teams from the Ivy League.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE: Tonight’s game is not being televised.The game is being broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WSRF – 1580 AM). Marc Vandermeer will handle the play-by-play duties with Joe Zagacki adding analysis. Tonight’s game can also be heard on the University of Miami Student Radio Network (WVUM – 90.5 FM). The game is also being broadcast live over the internet at the official website for Hurricane Athletics – www.hurricanesports.com.

UP NEXT: Following tonight’s game the Hurricanes will return to action on Saturday, November 25 against Northeastern at noon at the Miami Arena.

LAST TIME AGAINST COLUMBIA
December 29, 1995
Miami Arena, Miami, FL

Steven Edwards scored 15 points, including a pair of back-to-back three-point field goals midway through the second-half to snap a 52-52 tie, as the Hurricanes ended the 1995 calender year with a 69-62 victory over Columbia in the Miami Arena. Justin Namolik scored 17 points to lead Columbia. The Hurricanes, who shot 50 percent (24-48) from the floor and outrebounded the Lions, 38-26, also received 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds from Steve Rich and 10 points and six rebounds from Tim James. The Lions connected on 12-of-28 three-pointers on the night while connecting on just 6-of-24 from inside the three-point arc.

ON THE COACHES: Miami head coach Perry Clark was named the Hurricanes’ head basketball coach on on July 6, 2000. Clark comes to Coral Gables having spent 11 seasons at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. With the Green Wave, Clark compiled a 185-145 (.561) record, had six 20-win seasons, seven postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 4 NIT) and won the Metro Conference championship in 1992. He was the 1992 National Coach of the Year and a two-time Metro Conference Coach of the Year (1991, 1992). Last season Clark finished 20-11 and captured the Conference USA National Division crown. Additionally, Tulane received a bid to the NIT. With Miami’s win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Clark improved his all-time record to 186-145 (.562). Clark’s record at UM is 1-0 (1.000).

Columbia head coach Armond Hill is in his sixth season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Lions. His career record stands at 48-85 (.361), including a 1-1 record this season.

A NEW HOME COURT: The University of Miami will play on new floor at the Miami Arena this season. The floor was donated by Dr. Eddie Dauer and Sam Burstyn and is adorned in the Hurricanes’ colors of orange, green and white.

STELLAR DEBUT: Freshman forward Darius Rice made quite a debut in his first game in a Hurricanes’ uniform. Rice poured in a game-high 26 points to go with three rebounds, three steals and two blocks. The 26 points are the most by a freshman in a season-opener since the rebirth of the program in 1985 and also marks the fifth highest single game total by a freshman since the program’s rebirth. In addition, Rice was 5-9 from three-point range. The five three-pointers was one away from tying the UM freshman single-game record of six set by Steven Edwards versus Pittsburgh on Jan. 23, 1993.

AGAINST THE IVY LEAGUE: Miami is 15-9 all-time against Ivy League teams which includes four consecutive victories. Tonight’s game marks the Hurricanes’ first versus an Ivy League opponent since UM defeated Columbia, 69-62, on December 29, 1995. Miami’s last loss to an Ivy League team came against Dartmouth, 88-86, on December 20, 1986.

ONLINE ALL THE TIME: Check out the official University of Miami Athletic Department website for up to the minute information on Hurricane Athletics at www.hurricanesports.com.

VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA: With its win over Florida Atlantic on November 18, Miami improved its record against teams from the state of Florida to 288-141 (.671). Miami has won 23 consecutive games against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has not lost to a Florida school since a 72-64 season opening loss to Florida International on Dec. 1, 1992.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS: Since becoming the 10th member of The BIG EAST Conference beginning with the 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled a 56-31 (.644) record against non-conference opponents, including a 40-13 mark (.755) at the Miami Arena.

MIAMI REACHES SWEET 16: With its 75-62 win over Ohio State in the second round of last season’s NCAA tournament, the University of Miami advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history. Miami has advanced to post-season play in five of the last six seasons including three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

HURRICANES EARN SHARE OF BIG EAST TITLE: With its 74-70 win over St. John’s in last season’s regular season finale, the University of Miami earned a share of the 1999-2000 BIG EAST regular season title. The BIG EAST title was the first for Miami and the Hurricanes first conference title of any kind since the 1964-65 season. That season the Hurricanes went 10-0 to win their eighth straight Florida Intercollegiate Conference championship. The league, which consisted of Miami, Florida Southern, Jacksonville, Rollins, Stetson and Tampa, was disbanded the following year.

UM TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS: Miami won 23 games last season tying the school single season record for victories. Miami’s single season record of 23 victories was set during the 1959-60 season and later tied during 1962-63 and 1998-99 seasons.

ROAD WARRIORS: Over the last two seasons Miami is 15-2 in BIG EAST road games. The 15-2 mark is the best among BIG EAST schools over the last two seasons. Miami, which was 8-1 in BIG EAST road games in 1998-99, was 7-1 in conference road games last season. Miami has won 16 of its last 18 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.

WINNING WAYS: With its 63-57 win over Connecticut on February 19, the University of Miami clinched its six consecutive winning season. The last time Miami recorded at least six straight winning seasons was the 1968-69 campaign when the `Canes registered their 10th straight winning season.

LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE: Over the last two seasons Miami has been nearly unbeatable in the month of February registering a 15-1 (.938) record. Miami went 7-1 in the month of February last season while going 8-0 in 1998-99.

SEEING 20-20: Miami’s 23 wins this season gave the Hurricanes’ their second consecutive 20-win season. The back-to-back 20-win seasons are the first for Miami in the 1963-64, 1964-65 season.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS: Miami was 3-5 versus ranked teams this season. The Hurricanes are 12-14 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last six seasons.

MAKING ROAD HISTORY: With its 63-57 win over Connecticut last season the University of Miami became the first school to win consecutive games against the Huskies at Gampel Pavilion. Miami defeated Connecticut 73-71 in its previous trip to Storrs on February 20, 1999.

WORKING OVERTIME: Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last two seasons. Last season the Hurricanes defeated St. John’s in the regular-season finale while in 1998-99 the Hurricanes’ lost a heartbreaking overtime game against No. 1 ranked. UM has amassed a 6-2 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (4-2 at home). The ‘Canes, who have never had more than three overtime games in any season (3-0 in 1986-87 and 0-3 in 1990-91), own a 22-19 overall record in overtime contests during their history (4-3 in double-overtime games and a 18-16 mark in single-overtime contests). Miami is 6-2 in overtime games since 1995. Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:

MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA: In 11 seasons the Hurricanes have compiled a 115-62 (.650) overall record, including a 10-4 mark last season. UM has posted a 68-21 (.764) home record since 1994. UM is 39-14 (.736) in its last 53 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season.