Hurricanes Travel To Texas To Do Battle With Texas A&M
Dec. 7, 2001
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TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Texas A&M enters tonight’s contest with a record of 5-1 following a 55-54 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night. The Aggies are off to their best start since head coach Melvin Watkins first season at the school (1998-99).
Texas A&M has been led this season by 6-5 junior guard Bernard King who leads the team in scoring (18.2 ppg), rebounding (5.7) and assists (6.5 apg). King struggled however against Southeastern Louisiana scoring a season-low eight points on 3-11 shooting.
Also averaging in double-figures for the Aggies is 6-6 sophomore forward Nick Anderson. Anderson is averaging 10.2 points per contest and leads Texas A&M with seven blocks.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Texas A&M meet for just the second time. The first and only previous meeting took place on December 19, 1956 with the Hurricanes coming away with an 86-80 win in Miami.
UP NEXT:
Following tonight’s game the Hurricanes 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 (WKAT-1360 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 TONIGHT WOULD:
* Mark Miami’s first 8-0 start since the 1997-98 season (9-0).
*Improve Miami’s record against Texas A&M to 2-0.
*Mark UM’s first win in the state of Texas since the 1959-60 season.
TICKET INFORAMTION:
For UM Ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
MONDAY AGAINST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL:
James Jones scored 18 and tied a UM record with eight blocked shots the University of Miami to a 77-59 win over cross-town rival Florida International at Miami Arena.
The meeting was the first betweem UM and FIU since the 1992-93 season. Miami has now won 26 consecutive games against teams from the state of Florida.
Elton Tyler tied Jones for team-high honors with a season-high 18 points and was 6-for-8 from the field. Marcus Barnes scored 11 points and Rafael Berumen added 10 for the Hurricanes.
Miami, which led 33-30 at halftime, broke the game open with a 14-4 run to start the second half. Shooting 52 percent in the second half, the Hurricanes twice led by as much as 20 points.
Taurance Johnson had 20 points for Florida International (4-3), and Rodrigo Viegas added 18 points.
Miami’s defense, led by Jones’ eight blocked shots, limited Florida International to just 37 percent shooting in the second half.
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 23-13 (.639) in his second season at Miami while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 208-158 (.568). 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.
Texas A&M head coach Melvin Watkins is in his fourth season with the Aggies and sixth season overall. Watkins’ record at Texas A&M is 35-56 (.385) while his overall record stands at 77-76 (.503).
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 68-35 (.660) record against non-conference opponents, including a 47-13 mark (.783) at the Miami Arena.
STREAKING:
The UM broadcast team of Marc Vandermeer and Joe Zagacki have quite a winning streak going. Including baseball and football the two have broadcast 34 consecutive Miami victories including 16 straight baseball wins, 11 consecutive football victories and the Hurricanes’ seven straight wins to open the basketball season.
SEVEN AND COUNTING:
Miami’s 7-0 start is its best since the 1997-98 team opened with a school-record tying 9-0 record. The Hurricanes’ straight wins ranks as the 12th longest win streak in school-history.
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.
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.
MIAMI VS THE BIG 12 CONFERENCE:
Miami enters tonight’s game with a 5-7 record against teams from the Big 12 Conference.
IN THE LONE STAR STATE:
Tonight’s game marks the ninth time UM has competed in the state of Texas. Miami is 1-7 all-time in the state of Texas which includes its 2000 NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance against Tulsa in Austin, TX. Miami’s lone win in the Lone Star State was a 72-63 win over Houston on December 9, 1959. Overall the Hurricanes are 9-14 against teams from the state of Texas.
BIG EAST PICK-AND-ROLL PACKAGES AVAILABLE:
The University of Miami will offer a BIG EAST Pick n Roll mini-plan package for the upcoming 2001-02 men’s basketball season. The package is only $80 and includes tickets to any five BIG EAST Conference games of the customer’s choice.
BIG EAST Pick n Roll mini-plan seats will be located in the lower-bowl sidecourt sections of the Miami Arena.
The UM Ticket Office, located at the Hecht Athletic Center on the UM campus, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information or to purchase tickets contact UM Ticket Office at 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 International on December 3, Miami improved its record against teams from the state of Florida to 291-141 (.674). Miami has won 26 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.
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.
MIAMI IN THE 2001-02 POLLS:
DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 36-14 (.720) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.
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.
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.
NO DAY AT THE BEACH:
Miami’s 77-74 win over No. 15 Connecticut on January 20 marked the seventh consecutive season that the Hurricanes have defeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena. Miami is 2-0 this season against ranked teams at Miami Arena having also defeated No. 22 Seton Hall, 72-66, on Feb. 1.
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.
LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE:
Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in the month of February registering a 20-3 (.870) record.
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.
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 last season. Miami’s bench is averaging 16.9 points per game this season. Miami is 9-1 over the last two seasons when it’s bench scores 25 or more points.
UM SETS THREE-POINT RECORD IN 2000-01:
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 59-156 three-point attempts and are averaging 8.4 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 (964 points) needs 36 points while Tyler (637 points) needs 363 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 442 of its 444 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 41 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.
