Hurricanes Host Tar Heels In First Ever Game At The Convocation Center
Dec. 31, 2002
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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA (8-3)
vs.
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (6-4)
Monday, December 30, 2002 – 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Convocation Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, FL
TV – ESPN; Radio – WQAM (560 AM)
Website: hurricanesports.com
ON NORTH CAROLINA:
North Carolina enters the game with a record of 8-3 (1-0 ACC) following a 63-59 win over St. John’s in the consolation game of the ECAC Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York. North Carolina is currently ranked 22nd in the Associated Press Top-25 and 23rd in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. The Tar Heels are led by the forward duo of freshman Rashad McCants and sophomore Jawad Williams. McCants, a McDonalds All-American, is averaging a team-high 18.9 points per game to go with 5.3 rebounds. Williams ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.4 points per game and is currently the team’s top rebounder (6.3 rpg). North Carolina will be without starting center Sean May who broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during the second-half of the Tar Heels’ 65-56 loss to Iona in the first round of the ECAC Holiday Festival. He is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.
THE SERIES:
Miami and North Carolina meet for the sevenh time with North Carolina winning each of the previous six contests. Miami and North Carolina last played on December 4, 2000 with the Tar Heels coming away with a 67-45 win in Chapel Hill, NC.
UP NEXT:
Following the North Carolina game the Hurricanes open their BIG EAST Conference season with three consecutive road games against West Virginia (Jan. 7), Connecticut (Jan. 11) and Seton Hall (Jan. 18). Miami’s next home game will be Jan. 20 against Connecticut at 7 p.m.
A WIN AGAINST UNC WOULD:
***Improve Miami’s record to 7-4 on the season.
***Mark Miami’s first win over North Carolina.
***Conclude the Hurricanes’ non-conference schedule with a 7-4 record.
***Mark Miami’s 20th consecutive home win against a non-conference opponent.
LAST GAME:
MIAMI 68, LEHIGH 62
December 30, 2002
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
James Jones scored 21 points and Darius Rice added 18 as Miami defeated Lehigh, 68-62, Monday in the Hurricanes’ final game at Miami Arena.
The Hurricanes missed only one free throw until the final 1:19 against Lehigh, when they missed seven more, letting Lehigh get within four points in the final minute.
Earlier in the second half, with Miami leading 46-44, Jones hit 3-pointers at the beginning and end of a 13-3 run to put the Hurricanes up by 12 with 4:33 left.
Matt Logie, who scored a game-high 24 points, and Zlatko Savovic, who had 11 points, then led Lehigh on a 14-6 run to its four-point deficit.
The first half was the opposite of the second, as both teams shot over 55 percent. Miami hit seven of 10 three-point attempts and was 13-of-22 overall. Lehigh connected on three 3-pointers while shooting 56 percent from the field in the half.
With Miami trailing 25-24, Rice hit two three-pointers in a 13-0 Miami run and the Hurricanes took a 37-25 lead. The Mountain Hawks answered with a 10-0 run in the last 3:33 of the half, cutting Miami’s lead to 37-35 at halftime.
LAST TIME AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA:
No. 12 NORTH CAROLINA 67, MIAMI 45
December 4, 2000
Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Center Brendan Haywood recorded the first triple-double in North Carolina history with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks to lead the 12th-ranked Tar Heels to a 67-45 win over the University of Miami in Chapel Hill, NC.
John Salmons registered 12 points to lead the Hurricanes.
Miami forced 29 turnovers, including 14 steals, and took 27 more shots than North Carolina but could not overcome a poor shooting night in falling the the Tar Heels for the sixth consecutive time.
The Hurricanes shot just 7-39 (.179) in the first half in falling behind 33-18 at the break. For the game Miami shot just 18-77 (.234) marking the lowest shooting percentage ever in the Smith Center. In comparison, North Carolina connected on 24-50 (.480) from the field.
TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Miami’s game versus North Carolina will being televised live by ESPN. Sean McDonough and Len Elmore will call the action. The game will also be broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM – 560 AM). Joe Zagacki “The Voice of the Hurricanes” will handle the play-by-play with Josh Darrow adding analysis. Brian London will serve as studio host. Fans can also catch the game on the web at hurricanesports.com.
ON THE COACHES:
University of Miami head coach Perry Clark is his third season with the Hurricanes and 14th season overall as a collegiate head coach. Clark is 46-25 (.648) at Miami while his career record stands at 231-170 (.576). Last season Clark led the Hurricanes to the NCAA Tournament marking the ninth time in 13 seasons he has guided his team to post season play.
North Carolina head coach Matt Doherty is in his third season with the Tar Heels and fourth season overall. He is 42-30 (.583) at UNC while his overall record is 64-46 (.640).
UNC TICKETS ON SALE:
Single game tickets for Miami’s opening game in the Convocation Center on January 4 against North Carolina are now on sale. Call 1-800-GO-CANES for more information.
THE FIRST GAME AT CONVOCATION CENTER:
The North Carolina game marks the first for the Hurricanes at the Convocation Center, the new on-campus home of men’s and women’s basketball, and the University’s first large-capacity venue for other educational, cultural and community events.
The $48 million facility, totally funded through private donations, seats 7,000 for basketball and will provide the University and the Coral Gables community with a facility designed for a wide array of uses.
The three-story, 200,000 square foot facility includes 26 executive suites, carpeted locker rooms, men’s and women’s basketball player lounge areas, training room facilities and convention space and banquet facilities.
UM LEAVES MIAMI ARENA IN STYLE:
Miami ended its 14-year run at Miami Arena with a 68-62 victory over Lehigh on December 30.
Miami began playing its home games at the Miami Arena in 1988 and registered a 135-66 (.672) record including a 5-0 record this season. Since 1994-95 the Hurricanes had compiled a 98-26 (.790) overall home record at the Arena.
UM was 50-19 (.725) in its last 69 BIG EAST home games dating back to the 1994-95 season. Miami won its last 19 non-conference games at Miami Arena. Miami’s last loss to a non-conference opponent at Miami Arena was on January 29, 2000 versus Kentucky (60-57).
Miami’s first game at Miami Arena was on November 25, 1988 against Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Hurricanes won 108-80.
MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since joining The BIG EAST Conference beginning with the 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled an 80-39 (.672) record against non-conference opponents, including a 55-13 mark (.809) at home. Miami is 6-4 against non-conference opponents this season and has won 23 of its last 28 games against non-conference teams. Miami has won 19 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents.
MIAMI IN THE 2002-03 POLLS:
Miami is unranked. Miami’s highest ranking ever 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).
SUCCESS IN THE SUNSHINE STATE:
Entering the 2002-03 season the Hurricanes are the only team in the state of Florida to register a winning record in each of the last eight seasons. The Hurricanes’ 150-89 (.628) mark since the 1994-95 season is the top winning percentage over the last eight seasons while the 150 wins ranks second among the state’s 11 Division I programs.
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM went 3-1 versus ranked teams last season. The Hurricanes are 18-18 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last eight seasons. Miami is 27-83 (.245) all-time against ranked teams including a 24-69 (.258) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami is 0-1 against ranked teams this season.
NO DAY AT THE BEACH:
Miami’s 68-66 win over No. 17 Connecticut last season marked the eighth consecutive season that the Hurricanes defeated a ranked opponent at home.
HURRICANE DOUBLE-DOUBLES:
James Jones and Darius Rice are the only players on the Hurricanes’ roster that have recorded double-doubles during their careers. Jones has two double-doubles this season and nine for his career, while Rice has three career double-doubles.
POSITIVE INFLUENCE:
Freshman point guard Armondo Surratt seems to have quite an affect on both James Jones’ and Darius Rice’s numbers when he is in the starting lineup.
In the six games Surratt was not in the starting lineup Jones averaged 16.2 points while shooting 36-84 (.429) from the floor including 9-21 (.429) from three-point range. In the four games that Surratt started Jones averaged 22.3 points and shot 30-50 (.600) from the field and 14-22 (.636) from long distance.
Rice is averaging 12.3 points while shooting 24-66 (.364) from the field including 7-25 (.280) from three-point range when Surratt comes off the bench. With Surratt in the starting line-up Rice is averaging 22.3 points and has shot 32-65 (.492) from the field and 13-27 (.481) from behind the arc.
As a team the Hurricanes averaged 75.3 points and shot 41.8 percent (162-388) from the field and 28.6 percent (28-98) from behind the arc when Surratt did not start. With Surratt starting the Hurricanes are averaging 76.0 points and have shot 103-230 (.448) from the field including 39-82 (.476) from three-point range.
MIAMI GRADUATION RATE RANKS THIRD:
According to a report released by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the University of Miami men’s basketball program ranks third in the nation among the 115 Division I-A institutions with an 82 percent graduation rate for student-athletes who entered school from 1992-93 to 1995-96.
The national average for men’s basketball players over that four-year period was 34 percent. Graduation rates were tabulated and released by the NCAA in its 2002 NCAA Graduation Rates Report.
Miami’s 1993-94 to 1995-96 classes registered a perfect 100 percent graduation rate.
ITS BEEN A WHILE:
Freshmen Robert Hite and Armondo Surratt were both in the starting lineup for the Hurricanes’ game against Charlotte on December 15 marking the first time since the 1993-94 season that two freshmen started for the Hurricanes. That season freshmen Alex Fraser and Torey McCormick started the final 14 games of the season. Hite and Surratt have started the last three games together.
HURRICANES SIGN FOUR:
Head men’s basketball coach Perry Clark signed four recruits during the early signing period including 6-6 forward Karron Clarke (Brooklyn, NY/The Winchendon School), 6-9 forward/center Leonard Harden III (Detroit, MI/Garden City Community College), 6-11 center Yankuba Camara (Gambia, West Africa/Moberly Area Community College) and 6-3 combo guard Guillermo Diaz (Miami Christian Academy).
WORKING OVERTIME:
Miami’s loss to Florida Atlantic snapped the Hurricanes three-game win streak in over time games. Miami is 0-2 in overtime games this season. Miami was 3-0 last season in overtime games. Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last five seasons. UM has amassed a 9-5 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; 0-3 in 1990-91 and 3-0 in 2001-02), own a 25-23 overall record in overtime contests during their history (5-5 in double-overtime games and a 20-18 mark in single-overtime contests).
ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 22-11 (.667) in BIG EAST road games. The 22-11 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.
RICE NAMED TO NAISMITH, WOODEN LISTS:
University of Miami junior forward Darius Rice has been named one of 30 preseason candidates for the 2002-03 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award, and one of 50 preseason candidates for the John Wooden Player of the Year Award.
The Naismith Awards program, now in its 35th year, honors the outstanding college basketball players in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student-athletes in basketball.
The candidates were selected by a vote of the Board of Selectors comprised of leading basketball coaches, journalists and basketball analysts.
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball. It is bestowed upon the nation’s best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his university that he is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
Last season Miami’s defense was been adept at forcing its opponents into turnovers. The Hurricanes forced 554 turnovers (17.3 per game) including 285 steals (8.9 per game). UM averaged 19.1 points per game off turnovers. This season Miami has forced 222 turnovers (22.2 per game) while scoring 250 points off those turnovers (25.0 points per game). The Hurricanes have recorded 117 steals this season.
JONES MOVES UP CAREER LIST:
James Jones has recorded 16 blocks this season to improve his career total to 158. The 158 blocks ranks third on UM’s all-time career list.
WATCH YOUR WALLETS:
The University of Miami has recorded 117 steals (11.7 spg) this season including a school-record 21 against Savannah State on Dec. 30. Miami recorded 285 steals last season, an average of 8.9 steals per game. The Hurricanes ended the season two steals shy of tying the UM single-season record of 287 set in 1988-89 (31 games). Miami is on pace to record 328 steals this season.
LOCKING UP:
Last season Miami made a habit of holding teams without a field goal for long stretches. The Hurricanes held teams without a field goal for five minutes or more a total of 27 times while holding teams scoreless for five or more minutes five times.
This season the Hurricanes have held team without a field goal for 5 or minutes six times.
