Men's Hoops Set For Home Opener

Nov. 20, 2000

Coral Gables, FL – The University of Miami men’s basketball team (1-0) will take on Columbia (1-1) in its home opener on Tuesday, November 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Miami Arena.

Miami, the defending BIG EAST regular-season champion, has won its last seven home openers including a 67-46 victory over Monmouth last season. Miami is 39-11 (.780) in home openers including a 12-3 (.800) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.

The Hurricanes are coming off a 76-59 season-opening win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday, November 18.

Freshman Darius Rice led the Hurricanes with 26 points marking the most by a UM freshman in a season-opener. Fellow freshman Rodrigue Djahue recorded 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds while junior John Salmons added 12 points. Sophomore James Jones added six points, seven rebounds and a career-high seven blocks.

The game marks the home debut of new head coach Perry Clark. Clark took over the UM program after spending the last 11 seasons at Tulane. While at Tulane, Clark recorded six 20-win seasons and advanced to postseason play seven times.

The game will be broadcast live on WSRF (1580 AM). Marc Vandermeer will handle the play-by-play duties with Joe Zagacki adding analysis. The game will also be broadcast live on the internet at the official website for Hurricane Athletics – www.hurricanesports.com.

Season ticket packages are still available for as little as $99. For ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 305-284-CANES in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES.