Hurricanes Travel To Virgin Islands Paradise Jam In St. Thomas For Season Opener

Nov. 15, 2001

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TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
The Univesity of Miami opens its 2001-02 season against Eastern Michigan at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, on November 18.

The game will be the second of the season for the Eagles who open against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on November 17.

Eastern Michigan enters the 2001-02 season with nine newcomers, including seven freshmen. Only five lettermen, including three starters, return from last season’s 3-25 squad.

The Eagles played one exhibition game this preseason dropping a 100-85 decision to G.T. Express. EMU was led by sophomore guard Ricky Cottrill and freshman forward Markus Austin with 13 points apiece.

THE SERIES:
Miami and Eastern Michigan are meeting for the first time.

HURRICANE WARNING FOR THE CARIBBEAN:
Although the Hurricanes are making their first trip to the Virgin Islands it is not the first time UM has ventured to the Caribbean to compete in a basketball tournament. Miami has travelled three time to Puerto Rico including a 1999 visit to the San Juan Shootout. The Hurricanes are 6-3 all-time in tournaments played in the Caribbean.

A WIN TONIGHT WOULD:

Mark the ninth straight season the Hurricanes have opened the season with a win.Mark Perry Clark’s 202nd career win.Mark the Miami basketball program’s 695th win all-time (52 seasons).

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PARADISE JAM:
Miami travels to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam Tournament being held, November 17-20, at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center (2,500). Joining Miami in the six-team tournament will be Alabama-Birmingham, Clemson, Eastern Michigan, LaSalle and Morris Brown.

The tournament will be broken down into two divisions with Miami, UAB and Eastern Michigan comprising the St. Thomas Division, and Clemson, LaSalle and Morris Brown making up the St. John Division.

Each team will play the other two teams in its division. After the divisional round robin competition is completed the No. 3 teams, No. 2 teams and No. 1 teams in each division will face off in the Championship round on Tuesday, November 20.

The tie-breaking criteria for determining opponents for the championship round are: #1 – Net margin in all games, #2 – Total points scored in all games, #3 – Most three-point baskets in all games, and #4 – Most field goals in all games.

UP NEXT:
Miami will take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Monday, November 19 beginning at 8:45 p.m. (Atlantic Time) in the second round of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Tonight’s game is not being televised. The game is being broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM-560 AM). Marc Vandermeer, entering his third season as the “Voice of the Hurricanes,” will handle the play-by-play duties while Joe Zagacki will provide in-depth analysis. Fans can also catch all the action on the internet at the official website for Hurricane Athletics, www.hurricanesports.com.

ON THE COACHES:
University of Miami head coach Perry Clark is beginning his second season with the Hurricanes and 13th season overall as a collegiate head coach. Clark finished 16-13 in his first season at Miami while his career record in 12 seasons stands at 201-158 (.560). Last season Clark led the Hurricanes to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament marking the eighth time in 12 seasons he has guided his team to post season play.

Eastern Michigan head coach Jim Boone is entering his second season with the Eagles and 16th season overall. His 15-year record is 276-162 (.630). In his first season with the Eagles Boone went 3-25.

FOR OPENERS:
Tonight’s contest marks the season opener for the Hurricanes. Miami has won its last eight season openers and is 14-2 (.875) in season openers since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami’s all-time record in season opening games is 39-12 (.765).

Miami’s game against Eastern Michigan at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam marks the fifth consecutive season the Hurricanes have played their season opener on the road.

SELECT COMPANY:
The Hurricanes are one of just three BIG EAST schools to post a winning overall record each of the past six seasons. Syracuse and Connecticut are the others.

MIAMI REACHES POST-SEASON, AGAIN:
The Hurricanes have advanced to the post-season in five straight seasons and six times in the last seven years. Miami has gone to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2000.

DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 36-14 (.720) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.

WINNING WAYS:
Last season Miami posted its seventh consecutive winning season. The last time Miami recorded at least seven straight winning seasons was the 1968-69 campaign when the ‘Canes registered their 10th straight winning season.

JACK OF ALL TRADES:
Senior John Salmons (6-7, 200) is arguably the most versatile player in the BIG EAST. Salmons has played every position at Miami except center and was the only BIG EAST player last season to rank among the conference 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).

RICE FOR NAISMITH:
University of Miami sophomore DariusRice (Jackson, MS) has been selected as one of 30 preseason candidates for the 2001-02 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award.

Rice averaged 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season while posting 20 double-figure scoring games including a UM freshman record 35 points against Central Florida. Rice recorded a team-high 62 three-point baskets in 2000-01 and registered 31 steals and 14 blocks.

Rice is one of three BIG EAST athletes recognized as a preseason candidate for the Naismith Award. Joining Rice on the list are Troy Bell (Boston College) and Caron Butler (Connecticut).

The Naismith Awards program, now in its 34th year, honors the outstanding college basketball player in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student athletes in basketball.

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 63-35 (.643) record against non-conference opponents, including a 45-13 mark (.776) at the Miami Arena.

BARNES STEPPING UP:
Guard Marcus Barnes stepped up his game in BIG EAST play last season. Barnes, who averaged 3.6 points per game in 11 non-conference games, averaged 9.9 points per game in BIG EAST confernece and tournament play. Barnes scored in double-figures eight times including three 20-point games over the final 18 games of the season. Overall Non-conf. BIG EASTMarcus Barnes 7.2 3.6 9.9

ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 18-7 in BIG EAST road games. The 18-7 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 19 of their last 26 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.

RECORD SETTING NIGHTS FOR RICE:
Forward Darius Rice recorded 35 points in the Hurricanes’ win over Central Florida (12-9-00) last season setting a Miami freshman single-game scoring record. Rice broke the old mark of 30 set by Tito Horford on February 25, 1987.

On January 10, 2001 vs. Virginia Tech, Rice hit seven three-point field goals establishing a new UM freshman record. Rice totalled 31 points vs. the Hokies becoming the first player in UM history to record two 30-point scoring games as a frosh.

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.

WORKING OVERTIME:
Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last three seasons. UM has amassed a 6-4 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (4-3 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 22-21 overall record in overtime contests during their history (4-4 in double-overtime games and a 18-17 mark in single-overtime contests). Miami is 6-4 in overtime games since 1995. Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:

UP NEXT:
Miami will take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Monday, November 19 beginning at 8:45 p.m. (Atlantic Time) in the second round of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Tonight’s game is not being televised. The game is being broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM-560 AM). Marc Vandermeer, entering his third season as the “Voice of the Hurricanes,” will handle the play-by-play duties while Joe Zagacki will provide in-depth analysis. Fans can also catch all the action on the internet at the official website for Hurricane Athletics, www.hurricanesports.com.

ON THE COACHES:
University of Miami head coach Perry Clark is beginning his second season with the Hurricanes and 13th season overall as a collegiate head coach. Clark finished 16-13 in his first season at Miami while his career record in 12 seasons stands at 201-158 (.560). Last season Clark led the Hurricanes to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament marking the eighth time in 12 seasons he has guided his team to post season play.

Eastern Michigan head coach Jim Boone is entering his second season with the Eagles and 16th season overall. His 15-year record is 276-162 (.630). In his first season with the Eagles Boone went 3-25.

FOR OPENERS:
Tonight’s contest marks the season opener for the Hurricanes. Miami has won its last eight season openers and is 14-2 (.875) in season openers since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami’s all-time record in season opening games is 39-12 (.765).

Miami’s game against Eastern Michigan at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam marks the fifth consecutive season the Hurricanes have played their season opener on the road.

SELECT COMPANY:
The Hurricanes are one of just three BIG EAST schools to post a winning overall record each of the past six seasons. Syracuse and Connecticut are the others.

MIAMI REACHES POST-SEASON, AGAIN:
The Hurricanes have advanced to the post-season in five straight seasons and six times in the last seven years. Miami has gone to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2000.

DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 36-14 (.720) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.