Men's Basketball Set To Take On Boston College
Jan. 26, 2002
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BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (14-5, 3-3)
vs.
#15/#16 MIAMI HURRICANES (18-2, 5-2)
January 29, 2002 – 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Miami Arena (15,388) – Miami, FL
TV: Fox Sports Net Florida, Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
ON THE EAGLES:
Boston College enters the Miami game with a record of 14-5, 3-3 in the BIG EAST, following an 88-78 home loss to Duke on January 24.
Boston College, which opened the season 12-1, has struggled of late losing four of its last six games. The Eagles had been ranking as high as 10th by the Associated Press on December 17 but are currently in the also receiving votes sections of both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls (as of January 21).
Boston College is led by All-American guard Troy Bell. The 6-1 junior leads the BIG EAST and ranks 10th in the nation in scoring at 22.3 points per game. Bell also leads the team in assists (4.1 apg), steals (2.3 spg) and free throw percentage (.872).
Overall the Eagles have four players averaging in double-figures including forward Kenny Walls (14.5), guard Ryan Sidney (14.4) and forward Uka Agbai (11.2). Sidney also leads the team in rebounding from the guard position at 7.3 rebounds per game.
LAST TIME VERSUS BOSTON COLLEGE:
Troy Bell scored a team-high 27 points, including a school-record 17-17 shooting from the free throw line, to lead 24th-ranked Boston College to an 82-73 win over the University of Miami in Chestnut Hill, MA.
Kenny Harley added 19 points, 17 in the second half, while Xavier Singletary scored 15 points and Ryan Sidney 10 for the Eagles.
John Salmons scored 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead Miami. Darius Rice scored 17 points while James Jones added 15 points and Marcus Barnes 12 for the Hurricanes.
Miami outrebounded the Eagles 36-32 on the day but could not overcome Boston College’s hot shooting. The Eagles connected on 26-49 (.531) from the field while the Hurricanes shot just 40.9 percent (27-66).
Boston College also did a lot of damage in the paint where they outscored Miami 36-20.
A WIN AGAINST BOSTON COLLEGE WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 19-2, 6-2 in the BIG EAST.Mark Miami’s best start since the 1959-60 season (20-2).Be Miami’s fifth straight win.Improve Miami’s home record to 12-0.Mark Miami’s 14th straight home victory…UM’s longest home winning streak since 1965.Mark Miami’s sixth straight BIG EAST home win tying the UM record for consecutive conference home wins (1996-97).Snap Miami’s two-game losing streak to the Eagles.
TWO-FOR-ONE TICKET OFFER:
The Miami Hurricanes are offering a two-for-one ticket offer to the Miami-Boston College game on January 29. Simply log-on to the official website of the University of Miami Athletic Department – www.hurricanesports.com – and print out the ticket coupon redeemable at the Miami Arena box office the day of the game.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
The Boston College 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 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 34-15 (.694) at Miami, including an 18-2 start this season, while his career record in 13 seasons stands at 219-160 (.578). 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.
Boston College head coach Al Skinner is in his fifth season with the Eagles and 14th season overall. His record at Boston College is 73-65 (.529), including a 14-5 record this season, while his overall record stands at 211-192 (.524).
DID YOU KNOW?:
The University of Miami has registered a league best 41-16 (.719) conference mark since the 1998-99 season.
<>UP NEXT:
Following the Boston College game the Hurricanes conclude their five-game homestand against Connecticut on February 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Miami Arena.
MIAMI WINS 13TH CONSECUTIVE HOME GAME:
Miami’s 76-58 win over Villanova marked the Hurricanes’ 13th straight home win marking the longest home winning streak since UM won 15 straight home games bridging the 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons. Miami’s school-record for consecutive home wins is 22 set from 1960-1962.
In addition, Miami has won five straight BIG EAST home games and is one home win shy of tying the school-record for consecutive BIG EAST home wins (6) set during the 1996-97 season.
MIAMI OFF TO BEST START SINCE 1959-60:
Miami’s 18-2 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.
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 six times from second-half deficits to win games.
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.
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 1132 points, 613 rebounds, 344 assists and 172 steals.
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.
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 13 of the first 20 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.
BALANCED ATTACK:
The University of Miami is arguably 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 15.2 points per game followed by John Salmons (14.0 ppg), James Jones (13.3 ppg), Marcus Barnes (12.0 ppg) and Elton Tyler (10.9 ppg). Miami is the only team ranked among the AP or ESPN/USA Today polls that has all five starters averaging in double-figures.
MIAMI DOMINATES IN THE ARENA:
In 13 seasons at the Miami Arena the Hurricanes have compiled a 141-65 (.684) overall record, including a 10-0 mark this season, UM defeated Indiana earlier this season at the American Airlines Arena. UM has posted a 80-19 (.808) record at Miami Arena since 1995. UM is 41-14 (.745) in its last 55 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1995-96 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.
FAMILIAR STARTERS:
Miami sophomore Darius Rice, junior James Jones and senior John Salmons have started each of the last 49 games together. Salmons currently has the second longest streak in UM history having started 95 straight games. Kevin Norris (1994-98) holds the UM record for consecutive starts with 108.
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.
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.
LATE SEASON HEAT WAVE:
Over the last three seasons Miami has played well in the month of February registering a 20-3 (.870) record.
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.
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.
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.
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 UnitedStates.
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.
