Hurricanes Visit Hoyas In BIG EAST Opener
Dec. 31, 2001
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#24/#21 MIAMI HURRICANES (13-0)
vs.
#20/#23 GEORGETOWN HOYAS (9-3)
January 2, 2002 – 6:00 p.m. (ET)
MCI Center (20,600) – Washington D.C.
TV: Fox Sports Net Florida, Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
ON THE HOYAS:
The Georgetown Hoyas enter the Miami game with a record of 9-3 following a 98-91 loss at UCLA last Saturday, December 29. The loss was Georgetown’s second straight, both to ranked opponents. Prior to their loss at No. 15 UCLA, the Hoyas dropped a 61-55 decision to No. 4 Virginia. Georgetown had won eight straight before the two-game skid.
The Hoyas have been led this season by sophomore All-America candidate Mike Sweetney who leads the team in scoring (18.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.7 rpg). Sweetney recorded 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds against UCLA.
Georgetown also looks to senior point guard Kevin Braswell. Braswell, a preseason first-team All-BIG EAST selection, is averaging 15.5 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
Overall the Hoyas, who are averaging 85.1 points per game, boast five players averaging in double-figures in scoring including junior center Wesley Wilson (14.0 ppg), sophomore guard Gerald Riley (10.0 ppg) and freshman guard Tony Bethel (10.0 ppg).
UP NEXT:
Following the Georgetown game the Hurricanes continue their road trip against Connecticut (Jan. 5, 7:00 p.m.), St. John’s (Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m.) and Virginia Tech (Jan. 12, 4:00 p.m.).
The Connecticut and Virginia Tech games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net while the St. John’s game will be carried live on ESPN2.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Georgetown game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and will be broadcast live in Miami on Fox Sports Net Florida. Don Criqui will handle the play-by-play duties with Bob Wenzel adding analysis.
The game will also be broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM-560 AM). John Sciambi will call all the action.
A WIN AGAINST GEORGETOWN WOULD:
***Improve Miami’s record to 14-0, 1-0 in the BIG EAST.
***Tie the longest win streak in school-history set in 1946-47.
***Improve Miami’s record to 6-5 all-time in BIG EAST openers.
***Mark Miami’s fourth win in its last five BIG EAST openers.
***Mark Miami’s fifth straight win over a ranked opponent.
***Improve Miami’s BIG EAST road record since 1998 to 19-7 (.730).
LAST TIME VERSUS GEORGETOWN:
February 7, 2000
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
Miami held Georgetown to a season-low 26.5 percent shooting from the field and Johnny Hemsley scored 17 points to lead the Hurricanes to a 77-55 victory over the Hoyas.
Vernon Jennings added 15 points and seven assists and John Salmons scored 10 to help the Hurricanes to their sixth straight BIG EAST victory.
It was Miami’s most lopsided win over Georgetown in the teams’ 26 meetings.
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje led the Hoyas with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but had six turnovers. Kevin Braswell added 11 points for Georgetown, which has lost four of six, and five straight to the Hurricanes in Miami.
Miami forced Georgetown into 9-of-34 shooting in the first half. Georgetown’s shooting was no better in the second half, when the Hoyas also made only 9 of 34 shots. The Hoyas made only 2 of 17 three-point attempts.
TICKET INFORMATION:
For UM Ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Georgetown meet for the 27th time with the Hoyas leading the all-time series 16-10. Miami has dominated the recent series winning seven of the last 10 meetings dating back to the 1996-97 season.
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 28-13 (.683) at Miami, including an 12-0 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 213-158 (.574). 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.
St. Francis head coach Bobby Jones is in his third season with the Red Flash and has a career record of 21-42 (.333). Prior to taking over at St. Francis, Jones served as Associate HEad Coach at the University of Minnesota from 1997-99 helping lead the Golden Gophers to the NIT title in 1998 and an NCAA Tournament berth in 1999.
UM LOOKS TO TIE WIN STREAK RECORD:
Miami’s 13-0 start marks the best in school-history. The Hurricanes’ 13 straight wins ranks as the second longest win streak in school-history, one win behind the school-record of 14 consecutive victories set in 1947.
MIAMI GOES PERFECT OUT OF CONFERENCE:
With its 71-48 win over St. Francis (PA) on December 30, the University of Miami completed its non-conference schedule with a perfect 13-0 record marking the first time in school-history the Hurricanes have gone undefeated in non-conference play.
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.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 36-14 (.720) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.
STREAKING:
The University of Miami has an unusual winning streak going. Including baseball, football and basketball the Hurricanes have recorded 41 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 13-0 this season marking 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 38 straight UM wins dating back to last baseball season.
SALMONS THE ONE AND ONLY:
With his 15 points and 10 assists against Charlotte on December 22, John Salmons became the first Hurricane to record 1000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 150 steals during his career. Salmons currenlty has 1041 points, 577 rebounds, 310 assists and 166 steals.
UNDEFEATED CANES:
Miami is one of just five undefeated Division I teams remaining including Duke (10-0), Virginia (9-0), Oklahoma State (12-0), and Butler (12-0). Miami is the only undefeated team remaining in the BIG EAST.
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. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since becoming the 10th member of The BIG EAST Conference beginning with the 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled a 74-35 (.679) record against non-conference opponents, including a 50-13 mark (.794) at the Miami Arena.
MIAMI IN THE 2001-02 POLLS:
The Miami Hurricanes moved up twp spots to No. 21 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Top 25 College Basketball poll. UM jumped into the AP poll last week debuting at No. 24. Miami was last ranked at the end of the 1999-00 season. UM finished 23rd in the Associated Press poll and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.
TALKING RPI:
As of December 30 the Hurricanes were No. 13 in the RPI rankings according to CollegeRPI.com. Miami’s ranking is the second highest among BIG EAST schools.
WHO WILL TAKE CHARGE TONIGHT?:
This season the Hurricanes have had several players put the team on their shoulders and lead them to victory. In 10 of the first 13 games the 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.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 138-65 (.680) overall record, including a 7-0 mark this season. UM has posted a 77-19 (.802) home record since 1995. UM is 38-14 (.731) in its last 52 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 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.
FAMILIAR STARTERS:
Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones and senior John Salmons have started each of the last 42 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 88 straight games. Kevin Norris (1994-98) holds the UM record for consecutive starts with 108.
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.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM has won its last four games against ranked teams including a 1-0 record this season. The Hurricanes are 16-16 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last eight seasons. Miami is 25-81 (.236) all-time against ranked teams including a 22-67 (.247) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.
HURRICANES SIGN THREE:
Head coach Perry Clark signed three players during the early signing period. Joining UM next season will be 6-2, 185 pound guard Robert Hite (Cincinnati, OH/Winton Woods HS), 6-3, 185 pound guard Eric Wilkins (Piscataway, NJ/Oak Hill [VA] Academy), and 6-6, 190 pound swingman Ismael N’Diaye (Abidjan, Ivory Coast/Berkshire [FL] School).
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.
VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
With its win over Florida A&M on December 18, Miami improved its record against teams from the state of Florida to 292-141 (.674). Miami has won 27 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.
LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE:
Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in the month of February registering a 20-3 (.870) record.
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 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.
FREE ADMISSION FOR JUNIOR CANES:
All Junior Canes Club members will receive free admission to the Hurricanes’ final non-conference home game against St. Francis (PA) on December 30 (noon). Proper identification is required.
The Junior Canes Club is open to children 12 and under. Anyone wishing to sign up their children for the Junior Canes Club can due so at the Miami Arena Box Office the day of the game. Club membership is free.
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.
ONLINE ALL THE TIME:
Check out the official University of Miami Athletic Department website for up to the minute information on Hurricane Athletics at www.hurricanesports.com.
