Miami Takes On Lafayette

Give the gift of the Hurricanes for the Holidays

Nov. 22, 2001

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TODAY’S OPPONENT:
Lafayette enters today’s game with a record of 1-1 following a 75-66 loss at Penn State on Wednesday. Sophomore guard Justin DeBerry led the Leopards with 20 points. Lafayette defeated Albany, 80-72, in its season opener on November 11.

Today’s game marks the Leopards’ third consecutive road game to open the season. In the first two games of the season Lafayette has been led in scoring by senior guard Brian Burke (17.0 ppg). Burke is also the team’s top assist man at 6.5 per game.

THE SERIES:
Miami and Lafayette meet for the fourth time with the Hurricanes leading the all-time series 2-1. The last time the two teams met was on March 12, 1999 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Boston, MA. Miami came away with a 75-54 win marking the first NCAA Tournament win in Miami history.

UP NEXT:
Following today’s game Miami continues its four-game homestand against Florida Atlantic on Monday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. Miami finishes out its homestand against Howard on Thursday, November 29 (7:30 p.m.) and Florida International on Monday, December 3 (7:30 p.m.).

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.

A WIN TODAY WOULD:

Improve Miami’s record to 4-0 on the season.Mark Miami’s first 4-0 start since the 1997-98 season (9-0).Mark the ninth straight season the Hurricanes have won their home opener.Improve Miami’s record against non-conference opponents at Miami Arena to 46-13 (.780).

MIAMI WINS PARADISE JAM TITLE:
Senior guard John Salmons registered 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of Miami (3-0) to a thrilling 67-65 win over Clemson (2-1) in the championship game of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.

Salmons, who averaged 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.67 steals during the three-game event, was picked as the tournament’s MVP.

The Hurricanes (3-0) led 67-62 with 2 minutes remaining before Clemson’s Chris Hobbs cut the lead to two with a three-point play with 47 seconds left.

After both teams missed chances, Clemson inbounded with 4.5 seconds to go. Hobbs missed a short shot and teammate Edward Scott missed a jumper as time ran out.

Sophomore guard Marcus Barnes added 13 points for Miami while sophomore forward Darius contributed a team-high eight rebounds. Rice was selected to the All-Tournament team.

Hobbs had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Tigers. Jamar McKnight also scored 19 for Clemson.

MIAMI TAKES FIRST TITLE SINCE 1988:
Miami’s victory over Clemson in the championship game of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam marked UM’s first tournament title since the 1988 season when the Hurricanes took home the title at the Eastern Airlines Palm Beach Classic. That season UM defeated Penn, 102-69, in the opening round, then knocked off Wichita State, 81-59, in the championships game.

HOME OPENING TICKET PROMO:
The University of Miami will offer a special men’s basketball opening day ticket price to Hurricane football fans on Saturday, November 24th.

Fans who bring their Washington-Miami football game ticket to the Miami Arena box office the day of the Hurricanes’ home opener against Lafayette will receive a ticket for the hoops game for only $1.00.

ON COACH PERRY CLARK:
University of Miami head coach Perry Clark is in his second season with the Hurricanes and 13th season overall as a collegiate head coach. Clark is 19-13 (.594) in his second season at Miami while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 204-158 (.564). 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.

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.

RICE FOR NAISMITH:
University of Miami sophomore Darius Rice (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.

SALMONS NAMED PARADISE JAM MVP:
Miami senior guard John Salmons was named MVP of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam after leading Miami to three victories and the tournament title. Salmons averaged 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals during the three-game tournament, including an 18 point, 10 rebound performance in the title game.

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 65-35 (.650) record against non-conference opponents, including a 45-13 mark (.776) at the Miami Arena.

LOOKING FOR 1,000:
Miami seniors John Salmons and Elton Tyler are nearing the 1,000-point plateau for their careers. Salmons (921 points) needs 79 points while Tyler (595 points) needs 405 points this season. Miami has had 23 players score 1,000 or more points including Rick Barry who holds the Miami career scoring record with 2,298 points.

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:

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).

MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 130-65 (.661) overall record, including a 12-3 mark last season. One of Miami’s home losses last season was at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, FL. UM has posted a 69-19 (.784) home record since 1995. UM is 38-14 (.731) in its last 52 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 season.