Hurricanes Set To Take The Road

Jan. 3, 2002

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ON THE HUSKIES:
The Connecticut Huskies enter the Miami game with a record of 7-2 following an 86-74 win at Virginia Tech on Wednesday, January 2.

UConn has been led this season by sophomore All-America candidate Caron Butler who is averaging a team-high 19.2 points per game to go with 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Butler poured in a game-high 29 points in the Huskies’ win over Virginia Tech.

Four Huskies average in double-figures including junior guard Tony Robertson (13.4 ppg), senior forward John Selvie (12.7 ppg) and freshman guard Ben Gordon (12.6 ppg). Overall the Huskies average 82.6 points per contest.

Connecticut is shooting 49.9 percent (274-549) from the field including 37.0 percent (37-100) from three-point range. UConn’s starting frontcourt of Butler, Selvie and Okafor is hitting at a 52.6 percent (140-266) clip this season. The Huskies three-point attack is led by Robertson and Gordon who have combined to shoot 30-72 (.417) from behind the arc.

Take away Connecticut’s three-point shooting and the Huskies are hitting on 52.8 percent (237-449) from the field.

UP NEXT:
Following the Connecticut game the Hurricanes continue their road trip against St. John’s (Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m.) and Virginia Tech (Jan. 12, 4:00 p.m.).

The St. John’s game will be carried live on ESPN2 while the Virginia Tech games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Connecticut game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and will be broadcast live in Miami on Fox Sports Net Florida. John Sanders will handle the play-by-play duties with Jeff Spanarkel adding analysis.

The game is also 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 CONNECTICUT WOULD:

Improve Miami’s record to 15-0, 2-0 in the BIG EAST.Set a Miami record for consecutive victories.Mark Miami’s first 2-0 BIG EAST start since the 1998-99.Mark Miami’s fourth win in its last five games versus UConn.Improve Miami’s BIG EAST road record since 1998 to 20-7 (.741).

LAST TIME VERSUS CONNECTICUT:
Albert Mouring poured in a game-high 19 points while freshman Caron Butler added 17 points and defensively held Miami’s Darius Rice to just five points to lead the University of Connecticut to a 60-53 win over Miami at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT. John Salmons led Miami with 16 points. James Jones added 11 for the Hurricanes. Connecticut dominated the first half opening a 30-16 lead at the break. The Huskies defense held Miami to just 5-23 (.217) shooting from the fieldand forced 10 UM turnovers in the first 20 minutes. The five field goals and 16 points were season lows for Miami. The Huskies came out firing in the second-half with a 9-0 run that extended the lead to 23 following a three-point basket by Mouring at the 17:47 mark. Miami tried to get back in the game and was able to cut the lead to just six (43-37) with 6:52 to play when Marcus Barnes capped a 21-4 run with a three-point basket from the right corner. But the Hurricanes would get no closer as the Huskies were able to answer every Miami run down the stretch.

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

UNDEFEATED CANES:
Miami is one of just four undefeated Division I teams remaining including Duke (12-0), Virginia (9-0) and Oklahoma State (12-0). Miami is the only undefeated team remaining in the BIG EAST.

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 30-13 (.698) at Miami, including an 14-0 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 215-158 (.576). 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.

Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun is in his 16th season with the Huskies and 30th year overall. Calhoun’s record with Connecticut is 356-144 (.711), including a 7-2 record this season, while his overall record stands at 607-281 (.683).

UM LOOKS TO SET WIN STREAK RECORD:
Miami’s 14-0 start marks the best in school-history and ties the school-record for the most consecutive victories set in 1947. With a win over Connecticut the Hurricanes would establish a school-record for consecutive victories.

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 19-7 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 20 of their last 27 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.

STREAKING:
The University of Miami has an unusual winning streak going. Including baseball, football and basketball the Hurricanes have recorded 42 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 14-0 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 1052 points, 586 rebounds, 315 assists and 170 steals.

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.

DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 37-14 (.720) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.

MIAMI IN THE 2001-02 POLLS:
The Miami Hurricanes moved up to No. 21 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 College Basketball polls.

AP ESPN/USATPreseason — ARV (16 pts-36th)Nov. 12 No Poll ARV (13 pts-T36th)Nov. 19 ARV (1 pt-T50th) ARV (10 pts-T39th)Nov. 26 ARV (3 pts-T49th) ARV (10 pts-T37th)Dec. 3 ARV (6 pts-T45th) ARV (12 pts-T37th)Dec. 10 ARV (29 pts-T36th) ARV (24 pts-T34th)Dec. 17 ARV (153 pts-26th) ARV (54 pts-26th)Dec. 24 24th (277 pts) 23rd (109 pts)Dec. 31 21st (471 pts) 21st (175 pts)

TALKING RPI: As of January 3 the Hurricanes were No. 21 in the RPI rankings according to CollegeRPI.com. Miami’s ranking is the second highest among BIG EAST schools.

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.

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 14 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. Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:

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).

FAMILIAR STARTERS:
Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones and senior John Salmons have started each of the last 43 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 8 9straight 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 five games against ranked teams including a 2-0 record this season. The Hurricanes are 17-16 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last eight seasons. Miami is 26-81 (.243) all-time against ranked teams including a 23-67 (.256) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.

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.