Hurricanes Hit The Road To Take On Providence
Feb. 24, 2002
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#17/#13 MIAMI HURRICANES (21-6, 8-6)
vs.
PROVIDENCE FRIARS (15-13, 6-8)
February 26, 2002 – 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Dunkin Donuts Center (12,993) – Providence, RI
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WKAT (1360 AM)
ON THE FRIARS:The Providence Friars enter the Miami game with a record of15-13, 6-8 in the BIG EAST East Division, following a 69-64loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Friars currently have twostarters nursing injuries, both of which did not play in theVirginia Tech loss.
Guard Abdul Mills, the Friars’ leading scorer, has beenhampered with a groin injury all season while forward MarisLaksa suffered a strained MCL against Villanova on February 19and did not make the trip to Balcksburg.
Providence is led by senior guard John Linehan who isaveraging 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals pergame. Linehan has 373 career steals and needs four to break theNCAA career record of 376 set by former Friar guard EricMurdock (1987-91). The Friars also boast one of the conference’stop freshman in Ryan Gomes who is averaging 13.7 points and8.5 rebounds this season.
THE SERIES:Miami and Providence meet for the 25th time with theFriars leading the all-time series 11-13. Miami defeated Provi-dence,102-96 (OT), at Miami Arena earlier this season.
EARLIER THIS SEASON AGAINST PROVIDENCE:January 19, 2002
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
Darius Rice scored a season-high 32 points while JohnSalmons and James Jones added 23 each to lead No. 24 Miamirally to a 102-96 overtime victory against Providence College atMiami Arena.
The Hurricanes overcame an 13-point second-half deficittying for the greatest second-half comeback in UM BIG EASThistory. It also marked the second straight game in which Miamifell behind by double-figures in the second half before rallyingfor an overtime victory.
Providence was led by freshman Ryan Gomes who pouredin 31 points.
Trailing 48-37 at the half, Miami went on a 22-8 run duringthe first six minutes of the second half, capped by Jones’ 3-pointer, to give the Hurricanes a 59-56 lead.
Rice put Miami ahead 89-86 with a 3-pointer with 5.7seconds left in regulation. But Abdul Mills hit a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime.
The Hurricanes outscored the Friars 7-1 to begin the extraperiod, with Jones’ layup putting Miami ahead 95-90 with 2:48left. Providence drew to 98-96 on John Linehan’s shot from thecorner with 35 seconds left. Michael Simmons hit a pair of freethrows with 23 seconds to go to give Miami a 100-96 lead, andthe Friars were unable to score on three open looks in the closingseconds.
UP NEXT:Following the Providence game Miami returns home for itsregular-season finale against Virginia Tech at 2:00 p.m. onSaturday, March 2 at Miami Arena. Seniors Jerry Schlie, JohnSalmons and Elton Tyler will be honored prior to the game.
A WIN AGAINST PROVIDENCE WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 22-6, 9-6 in the BIG EAST.Mark the most regular-season wins since joining the BIGEAST in 1991.Be Miami’s second straight win over Providence.Give Miami its first season sweep of the Friars since the 1994-95 season.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:The Miami-Providence game is broadcast nationally onESPN2. Dan Shulman will handle the play-by-play duties withDoris Burke adding analysis.
The game is also being broadcast on the Hurricane RadioNetwork (WKAT-1360 AM). Marc Vandermeer, entering histhird season as the “Voice of the Hurricanes,” will handle theplay-by-play duties while Joe Zagacki will provide in-depthanalysis.
ON THE COACHES:University of Miami head coach Perry Clark is in his secondseason with the Hurricanes and 13th season overall as a collegiatehead coach. Clark is 37-19 (.661) at Miami, including an 21-6 startthis season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 222-164 (.575). Last season Clark led the Hurricanes to a berth in theNational Invitation Tournament marking the eighth time in 12seasons he has guided his team to post season play.
Providence coach Tim Welsh is in his fourth season withthe Friars and sixth season overall. His record at Providence is63-55 (.534) while his career mark is 133-77 (.633).
DID YOU KNOW?:The University of Miami has registered a 44-20 (.688)conference mark since the 1998-99 season. UM’s record rankssecond among BIG EAST teams over that period.
ONLINE ALL THE TIME:Check out the official University of Miami Athletic Depart-mentwebsite for up to the minute information on HurricaneAthletics at www.hurricanesports.com.
JONES SELECTED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT:Junior forward James Jones has been selected to the 2002Verizon Academic All-District II Men’s Basketball team. Jones isnow eligible for the national Verizon Academic All-AmericaTeam, which will be announced on March 7.
Joining Jones as All-District selections are Matt Bonner(Florida), Tim Lyle (James Madison), Mike Dunleavy (Duke) andJobey Thomas (Charlotte).
Jones is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star andcarries a 3.371 cumulative GPA in finance. He was named a 2001Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete and was runner-up for the 2001-02BIG EAST Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award.
ROAD WARRIORS:Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 21-11 in BIG EASTroad games. The 21-11 mark is the best record among BIGEAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 22 oftheir last 33 BIG EAST road games dating back to the 1997-98season.
WHAT’S YOUR 20:With its 65-56 win over Villanova on February 5 Miamirecorded its 20th win of the season. The 20-win season is theninth overall for the Hurricanes and third in the last fourseasons. Miami (21-5) is two wins shy of the school single-seasonrecord 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 onJanuary 19, the Hurricanes came back from a 13-point secondhalf deficit tying the UM record for the largest second-halfcomeback in a BIG EAST game. Miami also came from 13points down in the second half to defeat Georgetown onJanuary 18, 1997.
The game also marked the second straight inwhich Miami overcame a double-figure second-half deficit towin. Miami was down 11 in the second-half to Pittsburgh beforerallying for a 76-69 double-overtime win. Overall the Hurricaneshave rallied eight times from second-half deficits to win games.
SALMONS THE ONE AND ONLY:With his 15 points and 10 assists against Charlotte onDecember 22, John Salmons became the first Hurricane torecord 1000 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 150 stealsduring his career. Salmons currenlty has 1238 points, 661rebounds, 397 assists and 185 steals.
BALANCED ATTACK:The University of Miami is arguably one of the mostbalanced team in the nation offensively. All five UM starters areaveraging in double-figures in scoring. Darius Rice leads UM inscoring at 14.8 points per game followed by John Salmons (13.7ppg), James Jones (13.1 ppg), Marcus Barnes (11.4 ppg) andElton Tyler (10.8 ppg). Miami joins Arizona as the only teamsranked among the AP or ESPN/USA Today polls that have fiveplayers averaging in double-figures.
All five starters have led the team in scoring this season.Rice has led the team in scoring nine times, followed bySalmons eight times, Jones six times, Tyler three and Barnestwice.
MIAMI IN THE 2001-02 POLLS:Miami is ranked 17th in the latest Associated Press college basketballpoll and 13th in the current ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. Miami’shighest ranking came on March 1, 1960 when the Hurricanes jumped toNo. 8 in the Associated Press poll. Miami’s highest ranking since therebirth 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 76.1 percent from the line this season to rank 9th inthe nation. In BIG EAST games however the Hurricanes have connected ona lead best 81.3 percent (239-294) from the charity stripe. John Salmons(.899) and James Jones (.897) rank third and fourth in the BIG EAST infree throw percentage (league games only).
The BIG EAST single-season team record for free throw percentage ina 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 ontheir shoulders and lead them to victory. In 15 games this season theHurricane player that has either led or tied for the team lead in scoring hasalso led or tied for the team lead in rebounding.
LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE:Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in themonth of February registering a 23-6 (.793) record.
WORKING OVERTIME:The Hurricanes’ back-to-back overtime wins againstPittsburgh 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 lastfour seasons. UM has amassed a 8-5 record (including tourna-mentgames) in BIG EAST overtime contests (5-3 at home).
The ‘Canes, who have never had more than three overtimegames in any season (3-0 in 1986-87 and 0-3 in 1990-91), own a24-21 overall record in overtime contests during their history (5-4 in double-overtime games and a 19-17 mark in single-overtimecontests). Miami is 8-4 in overtime games since 1995.
MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:Since joining The BIG EAST Conference beginning withthe 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled a 74-35 (.679)record against non-conference opponents, including a 50-13mark (.794) at the Miami Arena.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:UM has won its last six games against ranked teamsincluding a 3-0 record this season. The Hurricanes are 18-16versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated atleast one ranked team in each of the last eight seasons. Miami is27-81 (.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 ofthe Virgin Islands Paradise Jam marked UM’s first tournamenttitle since the 1988 season when the Hurricanes took home thetitle at the Eastern Airlines Palm Beach Classic. That season UMdefeated Penn, 102-69, in the opening round, then knocked offWichita State, 81-59, in the championships game.
SALMONS NAMED PARADISE JAM MVP:Miami senior guard John Salmons was named MVP of theVirgin Islands Paradise Jam after leading Miami to threevictories and the tournament title. Salmons averaged 17.7points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals during the three-gametournament, including an 18 point, 10 rebound perfor-mancein the title game.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes havecompiled a 143-67 (.681) overall record, including a 12-2 markthis season, UM defeated Indiana earlier this season at theAmerican Airlines Arena. UM has posted a 82-21 (.796) record atMiami Arena since 1995. UM is 43-16 (.729) in its last 59 BIGEAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 season.
UM TIES WIN STREAK RECORD:Miami’s 14-0 start set a school-record for consecutive winsto open a season, and tied the school-record for the mostconsecutive victories which was originally set in 1947.
FAMILIAR STARTERS:Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones andsenior John Salmons have started each of the last 56 gamestogether. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UMhistory having started 102 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 Hurricanesensured its eighth consecutive winning season. The last timeMiami recorded at least eight straight winning seasons was the1968-69 campaign when the ‘Canes registered their 10th straightwinning season.
VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:With its win over Florida A&M on December 18, Miamiimproved its record against teams from the state of Florida to292-141 (.674). Miami has won 27 consecutive games againstteams from the state of Florida. Miami has not lost to a Floridaschool since a 72-64 season opening loss to Florida Interna-tionalon Dec. 1, 1992.
NO DAY AT THE BEACH:Miami’s 68-66 win over No. 17 Connecticut on February 2marked the eighth consecutive season that the Hurricanesdefeated a ranked opponent in the Miami Arena.
HURRICANES SIGN THREE:Head coach Perry Clark signed three players during the earlysigning period. Joining UM next season will be 6-2, 185 poundguard 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 schedulewith a perfect 13-0 record marking the first time in school-historythe Hurricanes have gone undefeated in non-conferenceplay.
STREAKING:Miami’s loss to Connecticut on January 5th ended a veryunusual winning streak. Including baseball, football andbasketball the Hurricanes had recorded 43 consecutive victories.The UM baseball team won its final 17 games in winningthe 2001 NCAA National Championship. The UM footballteam followed with a perfect 12-0 record including a Rose Bowlvictory over Nebraska for the 2001 national title. The UMbasketball opened the season with 14 straight wins.
MIAMI REACHES POST-SEASON, AGAIN:The Hurricanes have advanced to the post-season in fivestraight seasons and six times in the last seven years. Miami hasgone to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasonsincluding a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2000.
UPCOMING GAME PROMOTIONS:Virginia Tech (March 2)
Power Bar 3-point contest. Prelims are going to be held atthe Wellness Center the week of the game. Senior Day – honoring John Salmons, Elton Tyler and JerrySchlie. Burnie the Heat mascot will be in attendance. Jr. Canes Day – all Junior Canes Club Members can come tothe game for free – kids 13 and younger can sign up to be amember at the game. Sears National Championship trophy will be in the WestConcourse for fans to take pictures with. Hurricane Hoops Game
SALMONS IN RARE COMPANY:With his 10 assist performance against Florida A&M onDecember 18, senior guard John Salmons became just thesecond player in UM history to record single-game totals of atleast 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists during his career.The only other Hurricane to due so was guard Jerome Scottwho played for UM from 1988-92.
AND WITH THE ASSIST:John Salmons recorded 13 assists against Notre Dame onFebruary 23 marking the second highest single-game total inUM history. Salmons was one assist shy of tying the UM singlegame record.
Salmons recorded 10 assists against Charlotte on December22 becoming the first player in UM history to record 10 or moreassists in back-to-back games. Salmons also recorded 10 assistsagainst Florida A&M on December 18.
On the season Salmons has recorded four games with 10-or-more assists. He is the only player in UM history to recordfour games of 10-or-more assists in a single-season.
BOMBS AWAY:Against Florida A&M (12-18-01) and Virginia Tech (1-12-02) the Hurricanes connected on 13 three-point baskets tying forthe second highest single-game total in school-history.The Hurricanes established a school single-season recordwith 206 three-point baskets last season. The 206 three-pointersbroke the old mark of 186 set in 1992-93. The Hurricanes alsoestablished a new single-season school-record for three-pointattemps with 595. The old mark of 521 was also set in 1992-93.Miami needs five three-point field goals and 10 attempts toestablish new single-season records this season. The Hurricaneshave connected on 202-586 three-point attempts and areaveraging 7.5 three-point field goals per game. Last seasonMiami averaged 7.1 three-pointers per game. Miami hasconnected on 10 or more three-point field goals seven times thisseason.
SALMONS JOINS 1000-POINT CLUB:Miami senior John Salmons scored 15 points againstCharlotte on December 22 to become the 24th player in UMhistory to surpass 1000 career points. Rick Barry who holds theMiami career scoring record with 2,298 points. Salmons currentlyranks 13th on UM’s career scoring list with 1,238 points.
SALMONS MOVES UP ASSISTS LIST:Point guard John Salmons is quickly moving up theHurricanes’ career assists list. His 397 career assists to rank fourthon UM’s all-time list.
EASY AS 1, 2, 3:Miami failed to hit a three-point basket against Indiana (0-13) marking just the third time in school-history that UM failedto connect on at least one three-pointer. Miami has hit at leastone trey in 458 of 461 games since the NCAA adopted thethree-point shot in 1986.
The only other games in which UM failed to hit a three-pointerwere versus St. John’s on March 5, 2000 (0-13) andagainst Howard University on December 6, 1991 (0-15). Miamiis 2-1 all-time when failing to hit a three-pointer.
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:Miami shot a season-high 59.3 percent against Providence(1-19-02). Since the 1998-99 season the Hurricanes are 22-1when shooting over 50 percent from the field. Miami has wonits last eight games when shooting 50 percent or better.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:Last season Miami’s defense was adept a forcing itsopponents into turnovers. The Hurricanes forced 553 turnovers(19.1 per game) last season including 257 steals (8.9 per game).The Hurricanes averaged 19.9 points per game off turnovers.This season the Hurricanes have forced 479 turnovers (17.7 pergame) including 252 steals (9.3 per game). UM is averaging 18.9points per game off turnovers.
WATCH YOUR WALLETS:The University of Miami has recorded 252 steals thisseason, an average of 9.3 steals per game. The Hurricanes are onpace to record 289 steals this season which would be the largestsingle-season total in UM history. The record for steals in aseason is 287 set in 1988-89 (31 games).
MAN OF STEAL:John Salmons ranks fourth on UM’s all-time career listwith 185 steals. Salmons’ 57 steals last season ranks as the fifthbest single season total in UM history. With his 50 steals thisseason, Salmons is only player in UM history to record 50 ormore steals in three straight seasons.
MIAMI TIES STEALS RECORD:Miami recorded 18 steals against Lafayette College onNovember 24 which tied the school-record for steals in a game.The record was originally set on March 4, 1991 in the Hurricanes’87-65 win over Florida International.
BLOCK PARTY:James Jones tied a UM single-game record when heblocked eight shots against Florida International earlier thisseason. Jones tied the record set by Constantin Popa againstFlorida Atlantic in 1992 and Tim James versus West Virginia in1996. As a team the Hurricanes have recorded 174 blocks and areaveraging 6.4 blocks per game. The record for total blocks in aseason is 175 set in 1987-88. Miami is on pace to record 200blocks this season.
JONES MOVES UP CAREER LIST:James Jones recorded twoblocks against Notre Dame onFeb. 23 to improve his career total to 134. The 134 blocks ranksthird on UM’s all-time career list. His 71 blocks this season ranksthird on UM’s all-time single-season list.
LOCKING UP:Last season Miami made a habit of holding teams withouta field goal for long stretches. The Hurricanes held teamswithout a field goal for five minutes or more a total of 19 timeswhile holding teams scoreless for five or more minutes 10times. During the 1999-00 season Miami held teams without afield goal for five minutes or more a total of 31 times.This season the Hurricanes have continued the trendholding teams without a field goal for five minutes or more 26times.
