Hurricanes Ready For FIU

Dec. 3, 2001

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Game Recaps in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Florida International enters tonight’s contest with a record of 4-2 following a 67-55 loss at Auburn on November 11. The loss snapped the Golden Panthers’ three-game win streak. Freshman Taurance Johnson led FIU with 13 points.

FIU’s four wins have come versus St. Peter’s (70-59), Florida Tech (85-68), Princeton (49-44) and Indiana-Purdue Ft. Wayne (82-80). It’s other loss came at the hands of Texas-San Antonio (71-65). Johnson has been the Golden Panthers’ top scorer this season averaging 14.5 points per game and has recorded a team-high 12 blocked shots. Junior Rodrigo Viegas is the only other Golden Panther averaging double-figures in scoring (10.7 ppg) and is averaging a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game.

THE SERIES:
Miami and Florida International meet for the eighth time, and for the first time since the 1992-93 season. Miami leads the all-time series 6-1. Florida International won the last meeting, a 72-64 decision, on December 1, 1992.

UP NEXT:
Following tonight’s game Miami hits the road to face Texas A&M on Saturday, December 8 at 8:00 p.m. (ET) in College Station, TX. Miami will then return to Miami to take on Indiana on Saturday, December 15 in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at the American Airlines Arena.

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.

TICKET INFORAMTION:
For UM Ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.

THURSDAY AGAINST HOWARD:
John Salmons scored 19 points and Elton Tyler added 17 to lead the University of Miami to an 87-71 win over Howard University at the Miami Arena.

With the win the Hurricanes improve to 6-0 on the season, the team’s best start since 1997. Miami, which trailed 48-45 at halftime, took the lead for good, 56-54, on a three-point basket by Darius Rice. The Hurricanes then went on a 17-7 run to build a 73-61 advantage. Ron Williamson led Howard (2-3) with 23 points, all in the first half. Howard hit seven of eight 3-point shots in the first half but was 0-4 in the second due to the stingy defense of Salmons and sophomore Marcus Barnes.

All five Hurricane starters scored in double-figures. James Jones finished with 14 points while Barnes had 13 and Rice finished with 11. In addition, Rice recorded a career-high four blocks and matched his career-high with six assists. Kyle Williams added 17 points for the Bison and Aki Thomas had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

A WIN TONIGHT WOULD:

Mark Miami’s first 7-0 start since the 1997-98 season (9-0).Mark the Hurricanes’ 26th straight victory versus teams from the state of Florida.Mark the Hurricanes’ 11th straight non-conference win at Miami Arena.Improve Miami’s all-time record against FIU to 7-1.

ON THE COACHES:
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 22-13 (.629) in his second season at Miami while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 207-158 (.567). 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. Florida International head coach Donnie Marsh is in his second season with the Golden Panthers and seventh season overall. Marsh’s record at FIU is 12-23 (.353) while his overall record stands at 88-77 (.533).

UM FOOD DRIVE:
The Daily Bread Food Bank will be sponsoring a food drive at the Miami-Florida International game on December 3 at Miami Arena. A special discounted ticket of $7 will be offered to those who bring three non-perishable items to the Miami Arena on the day of the game. For more information, call 1-800-GO-CANES.

MIAMI AND THE WWF:
Wanna see WWF Superstar the Rock? You can join the millions of Hurricane fans as the Rock returns to Miami for the holidays. Simply purchase a basketball ticket to the Miami vs. FIU men’s basketball game on December 1st or the Miami vs. FAMU game on December 18th for the opportunity to receive $3.00 off select tickets for the WWF Holiday Edition of Raw at the Miami Arena on Friday, December 21. Simply save your ticket stub and bring it to the Miami Arena box office or call 305-358-5885 to receive the special ticket offer.

VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
With its win over Florida Atlantic on November 26, Miami improved its record against teams from the state of Florida to 290-141 (.673). Miami has won 25 consecutive games against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has not lost to a Florida school since a 72-64 season opening loss to Florida International on Dec. 1, 1992.

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 67-35 (.657) record against non-conference opponents, including a 47-13 mark (.783) at the Miami Arena.

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.

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

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:

MIAMI WINS PARADISE JAM TOURNAMENT:
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.

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 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 133-65 (.672) overall record, including a 3-0 mark this season. UM has posted a 72-19 (.791) home record since 1995. UM is 38-14 (.731) in its last 52 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 season.

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.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM has won its last three games against ranked teams and was 3-2 against ranked opponents last season. The Hurricanes are 15-16 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last seven seasons. Miami is 24-81 (.229) all-time against ranked teams including a 21-67 (.239) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.

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.

BIG OFF THE BENCH:
Last season the Hurricanes’ received strong play from its bench. The UM bench accounted for 30.1 percent (613 of 2039 points) of the Hurricanes’ scoring. Miami’s bench averaged 21.6 points per game. Miami’s bench is averaging 16.0 points per game this season. Miami is 9-1 over the last two seasons when it’s bench scored 25 or more points.

UM SETS THREE-POINT RECORD:
The Hurricanes made 206 three-point baskets last season surpassing the old record of 186 set in 1992-93. The Hurricanes also established a new single-season school-record for three-point attemps with 595. The old mark of 521 was also set in 1992-93. Miami is already on its way to establishing a new record this season. The Hurricanes have connected on 43-112 three-point attempts and are averaging 8.6 three-point field goals per game. Last season Miami averaged 7.1 three-pointers per game.

LOOKING FOR 1,000:
Miami seniors John Salmons and Elton Tyler are nearing the 1,000-point plateau for their careers. Salmons (957 points) needs 43 points while Tyler (619 points) needs 381 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.

EASY AS 1, 2, 3:
Prior to the 1999-00 regular season finale against St. John’s, the Hurricanes had hit at least one three-point field goal in 249 consecutive games. Overall, the ‘Canes have hit at least one trey in 441 of its 443 games since the NCAA adopted the three-point shot in 1986. The only other game in which Miami failed to hit a three-point field goal was against Howard University on Dec. 6, 1991 (0-15). The Hurricanes have hit at least one three-point basket in 40 straight games.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Twice last season the Hurricanes shot 50 percent or better from the field. Since the 1998-99 season the Hurricanes are 20-1 when shooting over 50 percent from the field. Miami has won its last six games when shooting 50 percent or better.