UM Hoops Travels To NYC For BIG EAST Media Day

Oct. 22, 2001

Coral Gables, FL – University of Miami head coach Perry Clark, senior guard John Salmons (Philadelphia, PA), senior center Elton Tyler (Dorchester, MA) and sophomore forward Darius Rice (Jackson, MS) will participate in BIG EAST Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, October 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

Entering his second season at Miami, Perry Clark returns nine letterwinners including four starters from last season’s squad that finished 16-13 and advanced to the post-season for the fifth consecutive year.

Salmons (6-7, 210), a third-team All-BIG EAST selection last season, is arguably one of the most versatile players in the BIG EAST. Salmons has played every position at Miami except center and last season he was the only BIG EAST player to rank among the league leaders (conference games only) in scoring (17th – 14.0 ppg), rebounding (17th – 6.3 rpg), assists (9th – 4.38 apg), steals (9th – 1.94 spg), free throw percentage (9th – .824) and assist-to-turnover ratio (11th – 1.43 ratio).

Elton Tyler (6-9, 235) redshirted last season but started all 34 games as a junior in 1999-00 averaging 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Over his career Tyler has shot connected on 54.4 percent (222-408) of his field goal attempts.

Rice (6-10, 205) was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie team last season after averaging a team-best 14.1 points per game. Rice recorded 20 double-figure scoring games including four 20-point scoring games and two 30-point outbursts. His 35 points against Central Florida established a UM freshman record while his seven three-point baskets versus Virginia Tech was also a UM freshman record.

Rice recorded a team-high 62 three-point baskets in 2000-01 and ranked third on the team in rebounding averaging 4.9 per game. He also registered 31 steals and 14 blocks.

The Hurricanes open the season at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, Nov. 17-20, in St. Thomas before returning to Miami for its home opener against Lafayette, Nov. 24, at the Miami Arena.

For ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.