Men's Hoops Meet Tennessee-Martin For The First Time Friday
Dec. 27, 2000
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FRIDAY’S OPPONENT:
Tennessee-Martin enters Friday’s game with a record of 4-3 following a 92-88 win over Alabama A&M on December 21. The win snapped the Skyhawks’ two game losing streak. Tennessee-Martin was led by senior forward Hayden Prescott who recorded 28 points and 15 rebounds in the win.
Miami and Tennessee-Martin have played one common opponent this season. The Skyhawks lost to Memphis, 81-49, on November 29 while Miami defeated Memphis, 66-57, on December 21. Tennessee-Martin has been led this season by sophomore guard Okechi Edge who is averaging a team-high 14.7 points per game. UT-Martin has had five different players lead the team in scoring in its first seven games this season.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Tennessee-Martin meet for the first time.
UP NEXT:
Following tonight’s game the Hurricanes open its BIG EAST Conference schedule at Pittsburgh on January 3. Miami then returns home for its BIG EAST home opener against Boston College on January 7 at 2 p.m. at the Miami Arena.
A WIN FRIDAY WOULD:
***Improve Miami’s record to 8-3.
***Be Miami’s fourth straight win.
***Mark UM’s ninth consecutive win at Miami Arena.
***Improve Miami’s record to 47-13 (.783) against non-conference opponents at Miami Arena since joining the BIG EAST in 1991.
***Conclude Miami’s non-conference schedule with an 8-3 record.
LAST GAME AGAINST LEHIGH
December 27, 2000
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
John Salmons scored a career-high 22 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds to lead the University of Miami to a 71-52 win over Lehigh at the Miami Arena.
With the win, Miami recorded its ninth consecutive win at Miami Arena and improves to 7-3 on the season. Lehigh falls to 5-5.
The Hurricanes shot a season-best 51.7 percent (30-58) from the field and recorded 24 points off 27 Lehigh turnovers.
Salmons was 10-14 from the field and also recorded a team-high four assists and three steals. Alan Goff scored 10 points to lead Lehigh. Darius Rice added 11 points for the Hurricanes.
Miami, behind 16 first-half points from Salmons, went into halftime with a 34-30 lead. The Hurricanes then took control scoring the opening eight points of the second half to take a 42-30 lead with 16:44 to play.
Lehigh cut the lead to 50-40 following a layup by Goff with 11:54 left. Miami answered with a 16-3 run, led by seven points from James Jones, to extend the lead to 23 with 5:24 left in the contest.
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.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Tonight’s game is not being televised. The game can be heard on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM – 560 AM). Marc Vandermeer is calling the play-by-play with Joe Zagacki providing analysis. The game can be heard live over the internet at the official website for HurricaneAthletics – www.hurricanesports.com.
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. Clark’s career record stands at 192-148 (.565) including a 7-3 record this season.
Tennessee-Martin head coach Bret Campbell is in his second year as a collegiate head coach, all with the Skyhawks. Campbell’s record is 14-22 (.389), including a 4-3 record this season.
JUST FOR FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS:
During the month of December, University of Miami football season ticket holders will have the opportunity to attend a men’s or women’s basketball game, along with a guest, for only $2.
Every season ticket holder will receive a postcard in the mail which can be redeemed at the box office the day of the game for the promotional tickets. Only football season ticket holders are eligible for the promotion.
Football season ticket holders can choose from UM men’s game against Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 29), or women’s games at the Gatorade Holiday Classic (Dec. 28 & 29). This year’s Classic features New Hampshire, George Mason, Western Michigan and Miami.
KIDS GET IN FOR A DOLLAR ON DEC. 27 & 29:
Tickets for the University of Miami men’s basketball game against Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 29) will be available to children ages 13 and under for only $1 per game. Both games will tip-off at 4 p.m. at Miami Arena. For more information contact the Hurricane Ticket office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
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 62-34 (.646) record against non-conference opponents, including a 44-13 mark (.772) at the Miami Arena.
RECORD SETTING NIGHT:
Freshman forward Darius Rice recorded 35 points in the Hurricanes’ win over Central Florida (12-9-00) setting a Miami freshman single-game scoring record. Rice broke the old mark of 30 set by Tito Horford on February 25, 1987. Rice also connected on six three-point baskets against UCF tying a UM freshman record.
In his debut against Florida Atlantic on November 18, Rice poured in a game-high 26 points marking the most by a freshman in a season-opener.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM is 0-1 against ranked teams this season. Miami was 3-5 versus ranked teams last season . The Hurricanes are 12-15 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last six seasons. Miami is 21-80 (.208) all-time against ranked teams including an 18-66 (.214) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.
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.
IN THEIR FIRST SEASON:
New Hurricane head coach Perry Clark opened his first season at Miami with a 3-0 record. The three straight wins to open the season tied the UM record for consecutive wins to open a season by a coach in his first season at Miami. Bill Foster (1985-86), Hart Morris (1938-39) and Art Webb (1926-27) all opened their inaugural season at Miami 3-0.
VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
With its win over Central Florida on December 9, Miami improved its record against teams from the state of Florida to 289-141 (.672). Miami has won 24 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.
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.
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.
NO DAY AT THE BEACH:
Miami’s win over No. 18 St. John’s in last season’s regular season finale marked the sixth consecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena.
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.
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.
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.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 11 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 121-62 (.661) overall record, including a 6-0 mark this season. UM has posted a 74-22 (.771) home record since 1994. UM is 39-14 (.736) in its last 53 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season.
