Miami Set To Take On Florida A & M

Dec. 17, 2001

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ON THE RATTLERS:
Florida A&M enters tonight’s game with a record of 1-7 following a 58-55 loss at Northwestern on December 15. The Rattlers were led by junior college transfer Michael Griffith who poured in 19 points.

The Rattlers have been led this season by the backcourt combination of Griffith and sophomore Demarcus Wilkins. Griffith currently leads the squad in scoring at 15.8 points per game while Wilkins ranks second at 12.9 per contest. The two are the only FAMU players averaging in double-figures.

The loss to Northwestern was the fifth straight season for the Rattlers. FAMU’s lone win was a 98-77 victory over Bethune-Cookman on November 24.

THE SERIES:
Miami and Florida A&M meet for the seventh time with the Hurricanes winning all six previous encounters. Miami and FAMU last met on December 9, 1995 with the Hurricanes prevailing 77-53 at Miami Arena.

UP NEXT:
Following the Florida A&M game the Hurricanes return to action against Charlotte on Staturday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Miami Arena.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Florida A&M 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 AGAINST FAMU WOULD:

Improve Miami’s record to 10-0 on the season.Mark the best start in school-history.Mark the Hurricanes 27th straight win over Florida schools.Mark Miami’s 12th straight non-conference win at Miami Arena.Mark Miami’s first 10-game win streak since 1965.

LAST SATURDAY AGAINST INDIANA:
James Jones recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds, and also registered five blocks to lead the University of Miami to a 58-53 win over No. 21 Indiana in the Orange Bowl Classic.

With the win the Hurricanes (9-0) matched the best start in school history. Following the game Jones was named Orange Bowl MVP.

Miami held Indiana to a season-low 33 percent, including 1-for-15 from 3-point range. The Hoosiers also shot themselves in the foot connecting on just 12-for-25 at the free-throw line.

Tom Coverdale scored 16 points and sophomore George Leach had a career-high 10 to lead Indiana. Elton Tyler and John Salmons each scored 12 points for the Hurricanes.

With the score tied at 31-31, the Hurricanes ran off seven consecutive points early in the second half to take their biggest lead. Darius Rice dunked on an alley-oop from Salmons with 14 minutes left to make it 36-31. Salmons was then fouled intentionally on a breakaway by Jeff Newton and made both free throws for a 38-31 lead.

With 30 seconds left, Coverdale missed a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game at 54. Barnes then made three free throws and Jones added one to clinch the win.

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

MILITARY AND PUBLIC SERVICE NIGHT:
The University of Miami versus Florida A&M game will be Military and Public Service night at the Miami Arena. All military or public service employees can receive a special discounted ticket ($7.00) by showing their ID card or pay stub at the Miami Arena box office on the day of the game. Member s of the City of Miami Fire Rescue and the Miami-Dade Police Department will be honored at half-time.

TOYS FOR TOTS AT THE MIAMI ARENA:
Fans who bring an unwrapped toy to the Miami Arena Box Office on the Day of the Miami-Florida A&M game will receive a special discounted ticket ($7.00) to watch the Hurricanes play the Rattlers.

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 25-13 (.658) at Miami while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 210-158 (.571). 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 A&M head coach Mike Gillespie is in his first season of coaching at the Division I level. Prior to taking over the Rattlers’ program Gillespie coached 10 seasons at Tallahassee Community College where he amassed an impressive 258-56 (.822) record.

NINE AND COUNTING:
Miami’s 9-0 start is its best since the 1997-98 team opened with a school-record tying 9-0 record. The Hurricanes’ nine straight wins ranks as the sixth longest win streak in school-history.

STREAKING:
The University of Miami has an unusual winning streak going. Including baseball, football and basketball the Hurricanes have recorded 37 consecutive victories.

The UM baseball team won its final 17 games in winning the 2001 NCAA National Championship. The UM football team followed with a perfect 11-0 record this season and will compete in the Rose Bowl for the national title. The UM basketball team is 9-0 this season matching the best start in school history. The last time UM lost a game was on May 4, 2001 when the UM baseball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Jacksonville.

The UM radio announcing team of Marc Vandermeer and Joe Zagacki have broadcast 35 straight UM wins dating back to last baseball season.

UNDEFEATED CANES:
Miami is one just eight undefeated Division I teams remaining including Duke (9-0), Virginia (5-0), Marquette (9-0), Boston College (9-0), Oklahoma State (9-0), Mississippi State (10-0) and Butler (9-0).

TALKING RPI:
As of December 17 the Hurricanes were No. 12 in the RPI rankings according to CollegeRPI.com. Miami’s ranking is the highest among BIG EAST schools.

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.

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. 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.

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 70-35 (.667) record against non-conference opponents, including a 47-13 mark (.783) at the Miami Arena.

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.

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:

SCORING AND REBOUNDING:
In every game this season a Hurricane player that has either led or tied for the team lead in scoring has also led or tied for the team lead in rebounding. Junior forward James Jones has led or tied for the team lead in scoring and rebounding in each of the last three games.

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.

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.

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.

FAMILIAR STARTERS:
Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones and senior John Salmons have started each of the last 38 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 84 straight games. Kevin Norris (1994-98) holds the UM record for consecutive starts with 108.

LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE:
Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in the month of February registering a 20-3 (.870) record.

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.

BOMBS AWAY:
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 65-185 three-point attempts and are averaging 7.2 three-point field goals per game. Last season Miami averaged 7.1 three-pointers per game.

BENCH SCORING:
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 14.3 points per game this season. Miami is 9-1 over the last two seasons when it’s bench scores 25 or more points.

LOOKING FOR 1,000:
Miami seniors John Salmons and Elton Tyler are nearing the 1,000-point plateau for their careers. Salmons (980 points) needs 20 points while Tyler (661 points) needs 339 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:
Miami failed to hit a three-point basket against Indiana (0-13) marking just the third time in school-history that UM failed to connect on at least one three-pointer. Miami has hit at least one trey in 443 of 446 games since the NCAA adopted the three-point shot in 1986.

The only other games in which UM failed to hit a three-pointer were versus St. John’s on March 5, 2000 (0-13) and against Howard University on December 6, 1991 (0-15). Miami defeated St. John’s 74-70 in overtime to win a share of the 1999-00 BIG EAST regular-season title. The Hurricanes lost to Howard 64-55.

Miami is 2-1 all-time when failing to hit a three-pointer.

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.