Men's Basketball Prepares For Virginia Tech

Jan. 8, 2001

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TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: Virginia Tech enters tonight’s contest with a record of 6-7, 0-2 in the BIG EAST, following an 85-83 overtime loss against Villanova on January 6.

Sophomore guard Brian Chase poured in 19 points off the bench to nearly lead the Hokies to the upset. Bryant Matthews added 16 points while Carlos Dixon scored 15 in the loss.

The Hokies, competing in their first season of BIG EAST basketball, have lost two straight and three of there last four games.

They have been led in scoring this season by Chase who has registered 13.0 points per game. Virginia Tech boasts three double figure scorers including Dixon (12.6 ppg) and Joe Hamilton (10.8 ppg).

THE SERIES: Miami and Virginia Tech are meeting for the first time in basketball. Although Miami has never faced Virginia Tech on the hardwood, Miami head coach Perry Clark is facing the Hokies for the 14th time. Clark registered a 7-6 record against Virginia Tech in 11 seasons as head coach at Tulane University.

UP NEXT: Following tonight’s game Miami continues its three game road against Boston College (Jan. 13, Noon). Miami then hits the road to take on Providence (Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.). The Hurricanes’ game versus Boston College game has been selected as the BIG EAST Game of the Week and will be shown on WPLG-TV (Ch. 10). The Hurricanes’ clash with Providence will be broadcast live in Miami on Fox Sports Net.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE: Tonight’s game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and is airing live in Miami on Fox Sports Net Florida. John Sanders is handling the play-by-play with Ron Perry adding analysis. 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.

A HURRICANE WIN WOULD:

Improve Miami’s record to 9-5, 1-2 BIG EAST.Mark Miami’s first conference win this season.Prevent the Hurricanes’ first 0-3 start in BIG EAST play since the 1994-95 season.Improve Perry Clark’s record against Virginia Tech to 8-6.

LAST GAME AGAINST BOSTON COLLEGE: Troy Bell scored a game-high 19 points, 18 in the first half, as Boston College opened a 19-point second half lead and held off a furious Miami comeback to defeat the Hurricanes, 73-72, at the Miami Arena.

John Salmons led Miami with 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Marcus Barnes added a career-high 15 points off the bench for the Hurricanes.

Boston College dominated the first half. The Eagles hit 10-14 three-point baskets in the opening half, including 6-7 shooting from Bell, in taking a 42-31 lead into the lockerroom.

The Eagles looked as if they put the game away early in the second half using an 11-3 run, capped by a fastbreak dunk by Ryan Sidney, to take a 53-34 lead with 15:30 to play.

Miami answered with an 18-0 run, led by seven points from Salmons, to pull within one, 53-52, with 8:48 to play. The run, which was a season-high for the Hurricanes, held the Eagles scoreless for 6:42.

Two minutes later Miami would take the lead when Darius Rice, 12 points, connected on a three-pointer from the right corner to give UM a 57-56 advantage. Miami would push the lead to seven, 67-60, with 3:37 left. But Boston College battled back and regained the lead 68-67 when Kenny Walls hit two free throws with 2:09 on the clock.

Miami and Boston College exchanged the lead four times in the final two minutes before Jonathan Beerbohm’s tip-in with 27 seconds left gave BC the lead for good. Miami had one last chance but Salmons’ 12 foot jumper at the buzzer hit off the rim.

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.

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 193-150 (.563) including a 8-5 record this season.

Virginia Tech head coach Ricky Stokes is in his second season as a collegiate head coach, both with the Hokies. His record stands at 22-22 (.500) including a 6-7 record this season.

ROAD WARRIORS: Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 15-3 in BIG EAST road games. The 15-3 mark is the best among BIG EAST schools over that period. Miami, which was 8-1 in BIG EAST road games in 1998-99, was 7-1 in conference road games last season. Miami is 0-1 this season on the road. the Hurricanes have won 16 of their last 19 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 63-34 (.649) record against non-conference opponents, including a 45-13 mark (.776) at the Miami Arena.

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.

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.

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.

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 at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 122-63 (.659) overall record, including a 7-1 mark this season. One of Miami’s home losses this season was at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, FL. UM has posted a 75-23 (.765) home record since 1994. UM is 39-15 (.722) in its last 54 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season.