Men's Basketball Set For Irish
Feb. 21, 2002
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NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (18-8, 8-5)vs.#17/#13 MIAMI HURRICANES (21-5, 8-5)
February 23, 2002 – 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Miami Arena (15,388) – Miami, FL
TV: Fox Sports Net Florida, Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
ON THE FIGHTING IRISH:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter its game against Miami with a record of 18-8, 8-5 in the BIG EAST West Division, following an 89-76 win over West Virginia on Wednesday night which snapped its two-game losing streak.
The Fighting Irish boast the league’s second highest scoring offense at 78.3 points per game, and have four players averaging in double-figures. Leading the offensice juggernaut is 6-8 senior forward Ryan Humphrey.
Humphrey is averaging a team-high 18.5 points per game to go with 10.5 rebounds per contest. He has 25 career double-doubles including 19 points and 13 rebounds in Notre Dame’s win over West Virginia.
Notre Dame also has one of the nation’s premier freshman in 6-1 point guard Chris Thomas. Thomas, Indiana’s Mr. Basketball last season, ranks second on the team in scoring (15.8 ppg) and ranks first in the BIG EAST and 6th in the nation in assists at 7.2 per game. He has a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio and has been selected BIG EAST Rookie of the Week five times.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Notre Dame face off for the 14th time with the Hurricanes holding a 7-6 all-time series lead. Miami has won three straight against the Fighting Irish. The two teams last met on March 9, 2000 in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Championship with the Hurricanes coming away with a 61-58 win. Miami is 3-3 against Notre Dame at the Joyce Center.
UP NEXT:
Following the Notre Dame game the Hurricanes hit the road to face Providence at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
LAST TIME AGAINST NOTRE DAME:
AT&T BIG EAST Championship – QuarterfinalsMarch 9, 2000
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Johnny Hemsley scored a game-high 17 points and the University of Miami held BIG EAST Player of the Year Troy Murphy to just 15 points as the 23rd-ranked Hurricanes defeated Notre Dame, 61-58, in the semifinals of the AT&T BIG EAST Championship.
Miami, which led 34-31 at the half, stretched its second-half lead 53-44 before Notre Dame charged back with a 9-0 run capped by a Jimmy Carroll steal and lay-up with 4:56 to play.
Miami then responded with six straight points on baskets by Tyler and John Salmons, and a pair of foul shots by Jennings to push the lead back to 59-53 lead with 2:19 remaining.
The Irish responded once again, drawing within one point with 20.6 seconds to play following a 3-pointer by Jere Macura.
Leading 59-58 with 18.8 seconds left, Jennings missed the front end of a one-and-one, the Irish came down with the rebound and went for the win. But Murphy’s three-point attempt was off the mark. Jennings found Tyler alone downcourt who dunked for a 61-58 lead with less than a second left.
Notre Dame had one last chance, but Tyler blocked Swanagan’s inbounds pass and time expired.
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.
MIAMI TICKET INFORMATION:
For UM Ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
Ticket Prices:
Sidecourt $20
Endcourt $15
Encourt Youth (17-and-under) $7
A WIN AGAINST NOTRE DAME WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 22-5, 9-5 in the BIG EAST.Mark the most regular-season wins since joining the BIG EAST in 1991.Be Miami’s fourth straight win over Notre Dame.Improve Miami’s home record this season to 14-1.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Miami-Notre Dame game is being produced by ESPN Regional Television and will be broadcast live in Miami on Fox Sports Net Florida. Dave Ryan will handle the play-by-play duties with Bucky Waters 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.
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 37-18 (.673) at Miami, including an 21-5 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 222-163 (.577). 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.
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey is in his second season with the Fighting Irish and seventh season overall. Brey’s record at Notre Dame is 38-18 (679) while his overall record is 137-70 (.662).
DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 44-19 (.710) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.
JONES SELECTED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT:
Junior forward James Jones has been selected to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-District II Men’s Basketball team. Jones is now eligible for the national Verizon Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on March 7.
Joining Jones as All-District selections are Matt Bonner (Florida), Tim Lyle (James Madison), Mike Dunleavy (Duke) and Jobey Thomas (Charlotte).
Jones is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star and carries a 3.371 cumulative GPA in finance. He was named a 2001 Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete and was runner-up for the 2001-02 BIG EAST Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award.
ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 21-11 in BIG EAST road games. The 21-11 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 22 of their last 33 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98 season.
WHAT’S YOUR 20:
With its 65-56 win over Villanova on February 5 Miami recorded its 20th win of the season. The 20-win season is the ninth overall for the Hurricanes and third in the last four seasons. Miami (21-5) is two wins shy of the school single-season record of 23 set in 1959-60 and later matched in 1962-63, 1998-99 and 1999-00.
COMEBACK KIDS:
In Miami’s 102-96 overtime win against Providence on January 19, the Hurricanes came back from a 13-point second half deficit tying the UM record for the largest second-half comeback 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 in the second-half to Pittsburgh before rallying for a 76-69 double-overtime win. Overall the Hurricanes have rallied eight times from second-half deficits to win games.
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, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 150 steals during his career. Salmons currenlty has 1235 points, 644 rebounds, 384 assists and 184 steals.
BALANCED ATTACK:
The University of Miami is arguably one of the most balanced team in the nation offensively. All five UM starters are averaging in double-figures in scoring. Darius Rice leads UM in scoring at 14.5 points per game followed by John Salmons (14.1 ppg), James Jones (12.8 ppg), Marcus Barnes (11.3 ppg) and Elton Tyler (10.9 ppg). Miami joins Arizona as the only teams ranked among the AP or ESPN/USA Today polls that have five players averaging in double-figures.
All five starters have led the team in scoring at least once this season. Salmons has led the team in scoring eight times followed by Rice eight times, Jones six times, Tyler three and Barnes twice.
MIAMI IN THE 2001-02 POLLS:
Miami is ranked 17th in the latest Associated Press college basketball poll and 13th in the current ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. Miami’s highest ranking came on March 1, 1960 when the Hurricanes jumped to No. 8 in the Associated Press poll. Miami’s highest ranking since the rebirth of the program in 1985 is ninth by the Associated Press on March 1, 1999. The Hurricanes highest ranking in the Coaches poll came on March 1, 1999 (10th).
DEAD-EYE FROM THE LINE:
Miami is shooting 76.2 percent from the line this season to rank 9th in the nation. In BIG EAST games however the Hurricanes have connected on a lead best 81.6 percent (230-282) from the charity stripe. John Salmons (.909) and James Jones (.896) rank second and fifth in the BIG EAST in free throw percentage (league games only).
The BIG EAST single-season team record for free throw percentage in a season is 79.6 percent (234-294) set by Connecticut in 1980-81.
TAKING OVER:
This season the Hurricanes have had several players put the team on their shoulders and lead them to victory. In 15 games this season 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.
LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE:
Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in the month of February registering a 23-5 (.821) record.
TALKING RPI:
As of February 21 the Hurricanes were No. 17 in the RPI rankings according to CollegeRPI.com. Miami’s ranking is the third-highest among BIG EAST schools.
The BIG EAST Conference currently has seven teams ranked among the top-50 in the RPI.
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. Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:
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.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM has won its last six games against ranked teams including a 3-0 record this season. The Hurricanes are 18-16 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last eight seasons. Miami is 27-81 (.250) all-time against ranked teams including a 24-67 (.264) 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.
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.
FAMILIAR STARTERS:
Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones and senior John Salmons have started each of the last 55 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 101 straight games. Kevin Norris (1994-98) holds the UM record for consecutive starts with 108.
WINNING WAYS:
With its win over Pittsburgh (1-15-02) the Hurricanes 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.
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.
NO DAY AT THE BEACH:
Miami’s 68-66 win over No. 17 Connecticut on February 2 marked the eighth consecutive season that the Hurricanes defeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena.
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 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 on January 5th 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.
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.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 143-66 (.683) overall record, including a 12-1 mark this season, UM defeated Indiana earlier this season at the American Airlines Arena. UM has posted a 82-20 (.804) record at Miami Arena since 1995. UM is 43-15 (.741) in its last 58 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 season.
UPCOMING GAME PROMOTIONS:
Notre Dame (February 23)
Papa John’s Celebrity 2Ball Competition at half-time. Employee Day – all UM employees can come to the game for free and purchase (5) additional tickets for $1 a piece. Announcing the Founding members of Miami men’s basketball. Hurricane Hoops Game
Virginia Tech (March 2)
Power Bar 3-point contest. Prelims are going to be held at the Wellness Center the week of the game. Senior Day – honoring John Salmons, Elton Tyler and Jerry Schlie. Burnie the Heat mascot will be in attendance. Jr. Canes Day – all Junior Canes Club Members can come to the game for free – kids 13 and younger can sign up to be a member at the game. Sears National Championship trophy will be in the West Concourse for fans to take pictures with. Hurricane Hoops Game
