Men's Basketball Set To Host Virginia Tech

Feb. 5, 2001

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TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: Virginia Tech enters tonight’s contest with a record of 8-12, 2-7 in the BIG EAST, following an 85-72 loss on the road against Connecticut on February 3.

The Hokies have lost two straight on its current three game road trip which included an 83-61 loss at Boston College on January 31. Virginia Tech is 0-5 on the road this season in BIG EAST play.

Virginia Tech has been led this season by its backcourt of Brian Chase and Carlos Dixon. Chase leads the team in scoring at 13.9 points per game while Dixon leads the team in assists (3.0 apg) and is averaging 11.4 points per game to rank second on the squad.

THE SERIES: Miami and Virginia Tech are meeting for just the second time in basketball. The Hokies defeated Miami, 85-74, earlier this season in Blacksburg, VA.

UP NEXT: Following tonight’s game Miami concludes its four game homestand against St. John’s on Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m. at the Miami Arena. The Hurricanes then hit the road for their next three games against Syracuse (Feb. 13), Villanova (Feb. 17) and Connecticut (Feb. 24).

TV/RADIO COVERAGE: Tonight’s game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and is airing in Miami on Fox Sports Net. Dave Ryan is handling the play-by-play with Bob Wenzel 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 University of Miami Student Radio Network (WVUM-90.5 FM) is also broadcasting game. The game can be accessed live over the internet at the official website for HurricaneAthletics – www.hurricanesports.com.

A HURRICANE WIN WOULD:

Improve Miami’s record to 12-9, 4-6 BIG EAST.Mark Miami’s second straight win.Mark the Hurricanes’ fourth win in its last six games.Avenge Miami’s 85-74 loss to the Hokies on Jan. 10.

ONLINE ALL THE TIME: Check out the official University of Miami Athletic Department website at www.hurricanesports.com.

LAST TIME AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH

January 10, 2001
Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA

Danny Gathings came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points as Virginia Tech won its first BIG EAST conference game with an 85-74 victory over the University of Miami in Blacksburg, VA.

Gathings led four Hokies in double-figures including Bryant Matthews (16 points), Brian Chase (13 points) and Joe Hamilton (11 points).

Miami was led by Darius Rice who poured in a game-high 31 points. Rice was 11-23 from the field including a UM freshman record 7-15 from three-point range.

With the score tied 31-31 at the half, Miami went on a 10-2 run to open the second period and led 40-33 following a three-pointer by Rice with 17:52 left to play.

The Hokies then took control going on a 33-6 run over the next 11:20. Virginia Tech recorded its largest lead when Matthews connected on a three-pointer to make the score 66-46 with 6:32 on the clock.

Miami battled back and pulled to within 80-74 following Rice’s seventh three-point basket with 58 seconds left. But that would be as close as UM would get as Hokies scored the final five points of the game to win by 11.

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 196-154 (.560) including a 11-9 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 24-27 (.471) including a 8-12 record this season.

NO DAY AT THE BEACH: Miami’s 77-74 win over No. 15 Connecticut on January 20 marked the seventh consecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena. Miami is 2-0 this season against ranked teams at Miami Arena having also defeated No. 22 Seton Hall, 72-66, on Feb. 1.

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.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS: UM is 2-2 against ranked teams this season. The Hurricanes are 14-16 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last seven seasons. Miami is 23-81 (.221) all-time against ranked teams including a 20-67 (.230) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.

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.

UM TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS IN 1999-00: 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.

MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA: In 11 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 124-64 (.660) overall record, including a 10-2 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 77-24 (.762) home record since 1994. UM is 41-16 (.719) in its last 57 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season.