Hurricanes Host Wildcats Thursday At Miami Arena
Jan. 23, 2002
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VILLANOVA WILDCATS (10-5, 3-3)
vs.
#22/#19 MIAMI HURRICANES (17-2, 4-2)
January 24, 2002 – 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Miami Arena (15,388) – Miami, FL
TV: Fox Sports Net Florida, Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
ON THE WILDCATS:
Villanova enters the Miami game with a record of 10-5, 3-3 in the BIG EAST, following a heartbreaking 65-63 loss to St. John’s on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
The Wildcats have been led this season by junior guard Gary Buchanon who leads the team in scoring (18.8 ppg) and has connected on 44-89 (.494) three-point attempts this season. Buchanon is also automatic from the free throw line where he shoots 93.9 percent (62-66).
Also averaging in double-figures in scoring are junior forward Ricky Wright (15.2 ppg) and senior center Brooks Sales (10.2 ppg). Sales also averaged a team-high 9.0 rebounds per game.
Villanova’s top assist man in sophomore guard Derrick Snowden (4.0 apg). Snowden, who is averaging 9.1 points per game on the season, has picked up his scoring in BIG EAST games where he is averaging 11.3 points per contest.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Villanova meet for the 18th time with the Wildcats leading the all-time series 10-7. The Hurricanes have won six of the last seven games in the series including a season sweep of the two game series last season. Miami is 4-4 all-time at home against Villanova, although the Hurricanes have won the last three match-ups at the Miami Arena.
UP NEXT:
Following the Villanova game the Hurricanes conclude their five-game homestand against Boston College (Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.) and Connecticut (Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.). Both games are at Miami Arena.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Villanova game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and is being broadcast live in Miami on Fox Sports Net Florida in Miami. Jay Randolph will handle the play-by-play duties with Doris Burke 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 VILLANOVA WOULD:
***Improve Miami’s record to 18-2, 5-2 in the BIG EAST.
***Be Miami’s fourth straight win.
***Improve Miami’s home record to 11-0.
***Mark Miami’s 13th straight home victory.
LAST TIME VERSUS VILLANOVA:
March 3, 2001
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
John Salmons recorded 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to lead Miami to a 65-53 victory over Villanova in the regular-season finale for both schools.
Darius Rice added 10 points while Dwayne Wimbley added eight points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
Michael Bradley led Villanova with 19 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with 1:50 remaining. Jermaine Medley added 15 points for the Wildcats.
Miami has come on strong to end the season winnin eight of its last 12 games.
The Hurricanes, who led 31-29 at the half, put the game away late in the second half with an 11-0 run that extended their lead to 57-45 with an with 3:23 left.
Miami was able to shut down Villanova offensively. The Wildcats, who entered the game shooting 50 percent from the field, shot 36.8 percent for its second worse performance of the season. The Wildcats’ 53 points was a season low.
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 33-15 (.687) at Miami, including an 17-2 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 218-160 (.579). 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.
Villanova head coach Jay Wright is in his first season with the Wildcats and eighth season overall. His career record is 132-90 (.594) including a 10-5 record this season at Villanova. Prior to taking over at Villanova, Wright spent seven seasons at Hofstra where he recorded a 122-85 record, two NCAA tournament berths and one NIT appearance.
COMEBACK KIDS:
In Miami’s 102-96 against Providence on January 19, the Hurricanes came back from a 13-point second half deficit which tied the UM record for the largest second-half deficit overcome in a BIG EAST game. Miami also came from 13 points down in the second half to defeat Georgetown on January 18, 1997.
The game also marked the second straight in which Miami overcame a double-figure second-half deficit to win. Miami was down 11 to Pittsburgh in the second-half before rallying for a 76-69 double-overtime win. Overall this season the Hurricanes have rallied six times from second-half deficits to win games.
BEST START SINCE 1959-60:
Miami’s 17-2 record marks its best start since the 1959-60 season. That season the Hurricanes opened 20-2 en route to a 23-4 record and the school’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament.
UM TIES WIN STREAK RECORD:
Miami’s 14-0 start set a school-record for consecutive wins to open a season, and tied the school-record for the most consecutive victories which was originally set in 1947.
ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 20-9 in BIG EAST road games. The 20-9 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 21 of their last 30 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.
HURRICANES WIN 12TH STRAIGHT AT HOME:
With its overtime win over Providence, Miami recorded its 12th consecutive win at home marking the longest home win streak since UM won 15 straight at home bridging the 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons.
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.
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 1109 points, 610 rebounds, 337 assists and 172 steals.
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 12 of the first 19 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.
WINNING WAYS:
With its win over Pittsburgh (1-15-02) the Hurricanes matched their win total from last season (16) and ensured its eighth consecutive winning season. The last time Miami recorded at least eight straight winning seasons was the 1968-69 campaign when the ‘Canes registered their 10th straight winning season.
MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since joining 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 DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 140-65 (.683) overall record, including a 9-0 mark this season. UM has posted a 79-19 (.806) home record since 1995. UM is 40-14 (.741) in its last 54 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 season.
TALKING RPI:
As of January 23 the Hurricanes were No. 19 in the RPI rankings according to CollegeRPI.com. Miami’s ranking is the highest among BIG EAST schools.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 39-16 (.704) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.
FAMILIAR STARTERS:
Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones and senior John Salmons have started each of the last 47 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 93 straight games. Kevin Norris (1994-98) holds the UM record for consecutive starts with 108.
WORKING OVERTIME:
The Hurricanes’ back-to-back overtime wins against Pittsburgh and Providence marked the first time since the 1994-95 season that UM has played consecutive overtime games. Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last four seasons. UM has amassed a 8-5 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (5-3 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 24-21 overall record in overtime contests during their history (5-4 in double-overtime games and a 19-17 mark in single-overtime contests). Miami is 8-4 in overtime games since 1995.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
