Miami Prepares For Weekend Bout With Seton Hall

Jan. 15, 2003

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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (7-6, 0-2)vs.SETON HALL UNIVERSITY (6-7, 1-3)
Saturday, January 18, 2003 – Noon (ET)
Continental Airlines Arena (20,029) – East Rutherford, NJ
TV: None; Radio: WQAM (560 AM)

ON SETON HALL:
Seton Hall enters the UM game with a record of 6-7, 1-3 in the BIG EAST, following a 68-54 win over Georgetown on January 14. The win snapped the Pirates’ three game losing streak.

The Pirates were led by sophomore guard John Allen who poured in a season-high 27 points to go with eight rebounds. On the season Allen is averaging 13.4 points to rank second on the team.

Leading the team in scoring is junior guard Andre Barrett who is averaging 17.4 points per game. Also averaging in double figures is freshman center Kelly Whitney at 11.0 points per game. Whitney is also the team’s leading rebounder at 6.6 rebounds per outing.

THE SERIES:
Miami and Seton Hall meet for the 21st time with the Pirates leading the all-time series 12-8. The Hurricanes have won three straight against Seton Hall including a 72-66 win during the 2000-01 season at Miami Arena. Miami is 7-10 against Seton Hall in BIG EAST play although the Hurricanes have dominated the recent series taking seven of the last nine meetings including five of the last six matchups.

LAST GAME:
#3/#3 CONNECTICUT 83, MIAMI 80 (OT)
January 11, 2003
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, CT
Ben Gordon scored 26 points to lead third-ranked Connecticut to a thrilling 83-80 overtime victory over Miami at Gampel Pavilion.

Denham Brown netted 18 for Connecticut, while Taliek Brown and Tony Robertson each added 11 for the Huskies. Darius Rice paced Miami with 28 points and James Jones scored 26 for the Hurricanes.

Rice began the overtime with a three-pointer from the top of the key. Robertson then got UConn within one with two free throws. Emeka Okafor’s bucket off the glass with just over three minutes left in overtime tied the score at 76-76.

Okafor then put the Huskies ahead by two with a basket, and after a Miami missed shot, Connecticut went ahead by five on Gordon’s three-pointer with 1:43 left in the extra session.

Miami trailed by four in the final minute, and was able to get within one at 81-80 on Paulo Coelho’s three-pointer from the left baseline with just 8.3 seconds left in overtime. Miami fouled immediately and Brown hit both free throws to give the Huskies a three-point lead. The Hurricanes had a chance to tie, but their last second three-point attempt fell short as time expired.

Miami which trailed by as many as eight in the second-half, battled back and tied the score at 71-71 when Rice connected on a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left.

LAST TIME AGAINST SETON HALL:
MIAMI 72, #22/#25 SETON HALL 66
February 1, 2001
Miami Arena, Miami, FL
James Jones scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half as Miami opened a 37-29 halftime lead and held on for a 72-66 win over No. 22 Seton Hall at the Miami Arena.

Jones made 8-of-13 shots, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Dwayne Wimbley and John Salmons each scored 12 points for the Hurricanes while Darius Rice added 10 points and a game-high six assists.

Darius Lane scored 16 points to lead Seton Hall.

The Hurricanes bolted to an 18-2 lead and never looked back. Wimbley had a career night connecting on 6-of-9 shots in tying his career-high for points, pulling down six rebounds and blocking five shots.

The Pirates got a basket just over two minutes into the second half to slice the deficit to six (37-31) but Jones answered with a three-pointer to push the lead back to nine. Lane countered with a three-pointer for Seton Hall but Wimbley followed up his own miss to start a 14-4 run that put the game away.

The Pirates would never get closer than seven the rest of the way.

Seton Hall shot just 40 percent (27-of-67) as a team and missed six of its eight free-throw attempts. Miami made 47 percent (29-of-62) of its shots but hit 12 of its 24 three-point attempts.

UP NEXT:
Following the Seton Hall game the Hurricanes return home to face No. 6 Connecticut on January 20 at 7 p.m at the Convocation Center. The game will be televised by ESPN.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Miami’s game versus Seton Hall will not be televised. The game will be broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM – 560 AM). Joe Zagacki “The Voice of the Hurricanes” will handle the play-by-play. Brian London will serve as studio host. Fans can also catch the game on the web at hurricanesports.com.

A WIN AGAINST SETON HALL WOULD:

Improve Miami’s record to 8-6, 1-2 in the BIG EAST.
Mark Miami’s first BIG EAST win.
Mark Miami’s fourth straight win over Seton Hall
Mark Miami’s fourth staight road win over the Pirates.

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 47-27 (.635) at Miami while his career record stands at 232-172 (.574). 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.

Seton Hall head coach Louie Orr is in his 2nd season with the Pirates and 3rd season overall. His record at Seton Hall is 18-25 (.418) while his career mark stands at 38-36 (.514).

UM SINGLE-GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE:
Single-game tickets for the remaining men’s basaketball season, including the Hurricanes match-up with No. 3 ranked Connecticut on Monday, January 20 at 7 p.m. at the University of Miami Convocation Center are now on sale. The Connecticut game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

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.

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.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since joining The BIG EAST Conference beginning with the 1991-92 season, the Hurricanes have compiled an 81-39 (.672) record against non-conference opponents, including a 56-13 mark (.809) at home. Miami finished 7-4 against non-conference opponents this season and has won 24 of its last 29 games against non-conference teams. Miami has won 20 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents.

MIAMI CHRISTENS CONVOCATION CENTER:
The Hurricanes christened 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 with a 64-61 win over North Carolina on January 4.

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.

Convocation Center Firsts
Field Goal – James Jones (UM)
3PT Field Goal – James Jones (UM)
Dunk – James Jones (UM)
Free Throw – Byron Sanders (UNC)
Rebound – Raymond Spencer (UNC)
Blocked Shot – Jawad Williams (UNC)

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.

Miami won its last 19 non-conference games at Miami Arena. Miami’s first game at Miami Arena was on November 25, 1988 against Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Hurricanes won 108-80.

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.

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.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
UM went 3-1 versus ranked teams last season. The Hurricanes are 18-19 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in each of the last eight seasons. Miami is 27-84 (.243) all-time against ranked teams including a 24-70 (.255) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami is 0-2 against ranked teams this season.

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 played its fourth overtime of the season against Connecticut on January 11. Miami is 1-3 in overtime games this season. The four overtime games establishes a school single-season record. 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 9-6 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (5-3 at home). The ‘Canes own a 25-24 overall record in overtime contests during their history (5-5 in double-overtime games and a 20-19 mark in single-overtime contests). Below is a list of UM’s overtime games since 1990:

ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 22-13 (.628) in BIG EAST road games. The 22-13 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period.

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.

RICE, JONES JOIN 1000-POINT CLUB:
Miami senior James Jones and junior forward Darius Rice both joined the 1,000-point club this season. Jones scored 26 points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on December 18 to become the 25th player in UM history to surpass 1,000 career points. Junior Darius Rice scored 32 points against Florida on December 21 to become the 26th player in UM history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. Rick Barry who holds the Miami career scoring record with 2,298 points.

EASY AS 1, 2, 3:
Miami failed to hit a three-point basket against Indiana last season marking just the third time in school-history that UM failed to connect on at least one three-pointer. Miami has hit at least one trey in 475 of 478 games since the NCAA adopted the three-point shot in 1986.

The only other games in which UM failed to hit a three-pointer were versus St. John’s on March 5, 2000 (0-13) and against Howard University on December 6, 1991 (0-15). Miami is 2-1 all-time when failing to hit a three-pointer.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Miami shot a 35-70 (.500) from the field in its season opener against New Hampshire. Since the 1998-99 season the Hurricanes are 24-1 when shooting 50 percent or better from the field. Miami has won its last 10 games when shooting 50 percent or better.

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 266 turnovers (20.5 per game) while scoring 296 points off those turnovers (22.8 points per game). Miami has recorded 30.7 percent (296 of 963) of its total points this season off turnovers.

JONES MOVES UP CAREER LIST:
James Jones has recorded 28 blocks this season to improve his career total to 168. The 170 blocks ranks third on UM’s all-time career list.

WATCH YOUR WALLETS:
The University of Miami ranks 10th in the nation in steals. UM has recorded 145 steals (11.2 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 301 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 seven times.