Hurricanes Preparing For Hokies
Jan. 11, 2002
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#21/#20 MIAMI HURRICANES (14-2, 1-2)
vs.
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (6-9, 0-3)
January 12, 2002 – 4:00 p.m. (ET)
Cassell Coliseum (10,052) – Blacksburg, VA
TV: Fox Sports Net Florida, Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
ON THE HOKIES: Virginia Tech enters the Miami game with a record of 6-9, 0-3 in the BIG EAST, following a 95-60 loss at Connecticut on Thursday, January 10. The loss marked the fourth straight for the Hokies who last recorded a victory on December 15 against Radford (63-56).
Virginia Tech has been led this season by the back court of junior Brian Chase and Carlos Dixon. Dixon leads the team in scoring with a 12.7 points per game average while Chase ranks second on the team at 11.5 points per game. Chase has been on fire from long range having connected on 40-of-85 (.471) from beyond the arc.
Also averaging in double-figures in junior center Terry Taylor (11.4 ppg). Taylor is also the team’s top rebounder at 8.6 rebounds per contest.
THE SERIES: Miami and Virginia Tech are meeting for just the third time in basketball. The Hokies and Hurricanes split the season series last season with each team winning on its home floor. Virginia Tech defeated Miami, 85-74, in Blacksburg, VA while the Hurricanes took an 86-61 decision in Miami.
UP NEXT: Following the Virginia Tech game, Miami returns home for five straight home games beginning with Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. on January 15 at Miami Arena. The Hurricanes will also face Providence (Jan. 19, noon), Villanova (Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.), Boston College (Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.) and Connecticut (Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.)
TV/RADIO COVERAGE: The Virginia Tech game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and is being broadcast live in Miami on Fox Sports Net Florida. Jay Randolph will handle the play-by-play duties with Tom Penders 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 VIRGINIA TECH WOULD:***Improve Miami’s record to 15-2, 2-2 in the BIG EAST.
***Snap Miami’s two-game losing streak.
***Give Miami a 2-2 record on the two-week road trip.
***Improve Miami’s BIG EAST road record since 1998 to 20-9 (.690).
LAST TIME VERSUS VIRGINIA TECH:February 6, 2001
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
James Jones and Darius Rice each scored 16 points as the University of Miami avenged an earlier season defeat by knocking off Virginia Tech 86-61 at the Miami Arena.
Dwayne Wimbley added a career-high 13 for Miami while John Salmons and Rodrigue Djahue each posted 11 points. Carlos Dixon scored 21 points and Bryant Matthews had 12 points and eight rebounds for Virginia Tech.
The Hokies shot 33 percent, compared to Miami’s 48 percent and the Hurricanes had a season-low nine turnovers.
Brian Chase, Virginia Tech’s leading scorer at 13.9 points, was held scoreless.
Micheal Simmons had a 3-pointer and two assists in a 10-0 run that gave Miami a 27-20 lead. Matthews scored the next five points of a 6-0 rally that brought the Hokies within one.
The Hurricanes answered with another 10-0 burst to end the half with a 37-26 lead. Jones hit two free throws and then slammed home a tap-in dunk to cap the run.
TICKET INFORMATION: For UM Ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
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 30-15 (.667) at Miami, including an 14-2 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 215-160 (.573). 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.
Virginia Tech head coach Ricky Stokes is in his third season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Hokies. His record stands at 30-43 (.411) including a 6-9 record this season.
UM TIES WIN STREAK RECORD: Miami’s 14-0 start marked the best in school-history and tied the school-record for the most 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 19-9 in BIG EAST road games. The 19-9 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 20 of their last 29 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.
STREAKING: Miami’s loss to Connecticut ended a very unusual winning streak. Including baseball, football and basketball the Hurricanes had recorded 43 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 12-0 record including a Rose Bowl victory over Nebraska for the 2001 national title. The UM basketball opened the season with 14 straight wins.
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.
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 15 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.
TALKING RPI: As of January 6 the Hurricanes were No. 24 in the RPI rankings according to CollegeRPI.com. Miami’s ranking is the third highest among BIG EAST schools.
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 45 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 91 straight games. Kevin Norris (1994-98) holds the UM record for consecutive starts with 108.
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.
DID YOU KNOW?: The University of Miami has registered a league best 37-16 (.698) 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.
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.
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.
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.
