UM's Rice shows his new skills
Oct. 14, 2001
College basketball practice tipped off Saturday in an atmosphere of celebration at most Top 25 college programs. Players at UConn danced their way into the arena for Midnight Madness, and in Lubbock, Texas, Bobby Knight educated the fans on their important roles in Texas Tech’s home games this season.
In Miami, on a quiet UM campus (most Hurricanes fans were watching the UM-FSU football game), sophomore forward Darius Rice could not wait to show off what he learned this summer.
Rice, who made last season’s Big East All-Rookie team, worked for two weeks in late July as a counselor in Michael Jordan’s camp at Santa Barbara, Calif.
He played pickup games with Jordan and other NBA players on nights after instructing boys and girls during the day.
`When I first got there, I was so excited,’ said Rice, who was the Canes’ leading scorer last season, averaging 14.1 points a game. `He was my all-time favorite person to meet. I like his fadeaway shot. Now I’m trying to patent it so I can be unstoppable.’
Rice was able to demonstrate the skills to his teammates because the Knight Sports Complex was empty and devoid of fans. The team worked on defensive drills and conditioning.
‘At this time of the year, one of the points of emphasis for this team is to get out and try to run more,’ said UM coach Perry Clark, who finished 16-13 last season. The Canes went to the NIT, where they lost to Auburn 60-58.
`In order to do that, you have to be in great shape. I thought our conditioning was good, but I think we have to get better with it as we go along.’
Miami returns four starters and has added two junior college transfers: 6-9 post player Rafael Berumen from Los Angeles City College and 6-8 forward Will Frisby of Fresno City College.
Senior forward Elton Tyler did not practice much because he is recovering from a stress fracture in his right tibia.
Sophomore guard Mike Simmons, who had surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, will miss the next four to six weeks.
The UM women held their practice at 4 p.m. after the nationally televised UM football game ended.
