Hurricanes To Host Hokies In Regular Season Finale
March 1, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
Game Recaps [.pdf]
Player Notes [.pdf]
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (10-17, 4-11)
vs.
#22/#18 MIAMI HURRICANES (22-6, 9-6)
March 2, 2002 – 2:00 p.m. (ET)Miami Arena (15,388) – Miami, FL
TV: Fox Sports Net, Radio: WSRF (1580 AM)
Spanish: WACC (830 AM)
ON THE HOKIES:
The Virginia Tech Hokies enter the Miami game with a record of 10-17, 4-11 in the BIG EAST East Division, following a 63-49 win over Rutgers on February 27. The Hokies, who opened the BIG EAST season with nine straight losses, have played well of late winning four of their last six games, including two straight.
Leading the Hokies in scoring this season is 6-7 guard Carlos Dixon (12.1 ppg). The sophomore also leads the team in assists (2.9 apg) and steals (1.6 spg).
Overall Virginia Tech has four players averaging in double-figures. Junior college transfer Terry Taylor is averaging 11.4 points per game followed by junior Brian Chase (11.3 ppg) and senior Carlton Carter (10.1 ppg). Carter is also the team’s top rebounder at 8.2 rebounds per contest.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Virginia Tech meet for the fourth time with the Hurricanes holding a 2-1 series lead. Miami defeated Virginia Tech, 77-68, ealier this season in Blacksburg, VA. Miami has won the last two meetings against the Hokies.
UP NEXT:
Following the Virginia Tech game Miami travels to New York City for the ConAgra Foods BIG EAST Championship being held March 6-9 at Madison Square Garden.
A Miami win over Virginia Tech combined with a St. John’s loss to Villanova on Sunday would give UM the No. 2 seed and a first round bye. Miami would play at 2 p.m. on Thursday against a team to be determined (#6 East vs #3 West winner).
A Miami loss to Virginia Tech or a St. John’s win over Villanova gives Miami the No. 3 seed. The Hurricanes would them play Seton Hall at 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
A WIN AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 23-6, 10-6 in the BIG EAST.Tie the school-record for wins in a season (23).Give the Hurricanes 23 wins in three of the last four seasons.Give Miami 10 or more conference wins in four of the last five seasons.Improve Miami’s home record to 14-2 this season.Mark the fifth straight season Miami has won its regular-season finale.
EARLIER THIS SEASON AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH:
Elton Tyler scored a season-high 20 points to lead the University of Miami to a 77-68 victory over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. The win snapped the Hurricanes’ two-game losing streak.
The Hurricanes received 18 points from Marcus Barnes and 16 from Darius Rice. Miami finished the four-game conference-opening road trip 2-2.
Rice hit two 3-pointers in the final three minutes to help Miami seal the victory.
The Hokies used an 11-7 run to get within one point with 3:50 left. But Miami went 6-for-6 from the line over the final 36 seconds and held the Hokies to one field goal over the final two minutes.
Terry Taylor led the Hokies with 17 points, but was held to just two field goals in the second-half.
Miami had trouble with the Hokies’ zone defense in the first half, shooting mostly from the perimeter and getting outrebounded 19-14. Taylor’s layup gave the Hokies a 23-15 lead after 10:42, but the Hurricanes clamped down on defense, double-teaming Taylor and allowing only one field goal over the final 9:18.
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.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Virginia Tech 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 Doris Burke adding analysis.
The game is also being broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WSRF-1580 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.
The game will also be broadcast by the Spanish Broadcasting Network over WACC Radio (830 AM). Jerry del Castillo (play-by-play) and Pepe Campos (analysis) will call the action.
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 38-19 (.667) at Miami, including an 22-6 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 223-164 (.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.
Virginia Tech head coach Ricky Stokes is in his third season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Hokies. His record is 34-51 (.400) including a 10-17 mark this season.
SENIOR DAY:
The Virginia Tech game marks the final home game for seniors John Salmons, Jerry Schlie and Elton Tyler. The three will be honored in a ceremony prior to the game. The three have been a part of one of the most successful periods in UM basketball history.
Over the last four seasons the Hurricanes have registered an 84-37 (.694) record marking the most wins in a four-year period in UM history. Included in those four seasons will be four post-season appearances, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, the 1999-00 BIG EAST Regular Season title and a trip to the Sweet 16 in the 2000 NCAA Championships.
Tyler, who redshirted last season, will become the first Hurricane to make four NCAA Tournament appearances. In the four seasons in which he has played the Hurricanes have recorded an 86-34 (.717) mark.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a 45-20 (.692) conference mark since the 1998-99 season. UM’s record ranks second among BIG EAST teams over that period.
CLARKE COACH OF THE YEAR FINALIST:
University of Miami head men’s basketball coach Perry Clark has been selected as one of 25 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Coach of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on April 5, 2002 at the Cobb Galleria Center in Atlanta.
Now in its 34th year, the Naismith Awards program honors the outstanding college basketball coaches in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of excellence in basketball.
Clark, in his second season at Miami, has guided the 18th-ranked Hurricanes to a 22-6 record, including a school-record 14 consecutive wins to open the season. Miami’s 22 victories marks the most regular-season wins since the Hurricanes joined the BIG EAST in 1991. Miami is one win shy of tying the school single-season record of 23 victories.
RICE, SALMONS ALL-DISTRICT SELECTIONS:
Darius Rice was named first-team All-District 6 and John Salmons earned All-District second-team honors by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Rice, a second-team NABC All-District selection last season, is averaging a team-high 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He has recorded 10 games of 20-or-more points this season, and has connected on a team-high 69 three-point baskets. He joins Johnny Hemsley (2000), Tim James (1998 and 1999), Tito Horford (1988) and Rick Barry (1965) as the only Hurricanes to earn first-team honors.
Salmons, one of the most versatile players in the BIG EAST Conference, is averaging 13.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Salmons, who has started 103 consecutive games for Miami, is the only player in UM history to surpass 1000 career points (1244), 600 rebounds (663), 300 assists (404) and 150 steals (187).
The selections of Rice and Salmons marks the fifth consecutive season the Hurricanes have had at least one All-District selection.
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 1244 points, 663 rebounds, 404 assists and 187 steals. Salmons ranks 13th on UM’s career scoring list, fourth in assists and third in steals.
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.
MIAMI IN THE 2001-02 POLLS:
Miami is ranked 18th in the current ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, and 22nd in latest Associated Press 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).
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 15.3 points per game followed by John Salmons (13.4 ppg), James Jones (13.2 ppg), Marcus Barnes (11.4 ppg) and Elton Tyler (10.8 ppg). Miami is the only team 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 this season. Rice has led the team in scoring 10 times, followed by Salmons eight times, Jones six times, Tyler three and Barnes twice.
ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 21-11 (.667) in BIG EAST road games. The 21-11 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period. The Hurricanes have won 23 of their last 34 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 (22-6) is one win shy of the school single-season record of 23 set in 1959-60 and later matched in 1962-63, 1998-99 and 1999-00.
DEAD-EYE FROM THE LINE:
Miami is shooting 76.5 percent from the line this season to rank 10th in the nation. In BIG EAST games however the Hurricanes have connected on a lead best 81.7 percent (255-312) from the charity stripe. John Salmons (.901) and James Jones (.897) rank third and fourth 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 16 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.
TALKING RPI:
As of March 1 the Hurricanes were No. 16 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.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 143-67 (.681) overall record, including a 12-2 mark this season, UM defeated Indiana earlier this season at the American Airlines Arena. UM has posted a 82-21 (.796) record at Miami Arena since 1995. UM is 43-16 (.729) in its last 59 BIG EAST 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 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 57 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 103 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.
SEARS TROPHY PHOTOS:
The Sears National Championship trophy will available for photographs at the Miami-Virginia Tech basketball game. Fans wishing to have there photos taken with the trophy should go to the West Concourse of Miami Arena.
TICKET INFORMATION:
For UM Ticket information contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
