Hurricanes Prepare For Big East Bout With No. 6 UConn

Jan. 19, 2003

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#6/#6 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT (11-2, 2-0)vs.UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (7-7, 0-3)
Monday, January 20, 2003 – 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Convocation Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, FL
TV: ESPN; Radio: WQAM (560 AM); Spanish: Radio Unica-WNMA (1210 AM)

ON CONNECTICUT:
Connecticut enters its game with Miami with a record of 11-2, 2-0 in the BIG EAST, following a 68-65 loss at North Carolina on Saturday. The Huskies are ranked sixth in the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Basketball polls.

Connecticut has been led this season by the sophomore inside-outside combination of guard Ben Gordon and center Emeka Okafor. Gordon leads the Huskies in scoring at 20.8 points per game while Okafor, a preseason first-team All-BIG EAST selection, is averaging 16.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game.

The Huskies have also received strong play off the bench from senior guard Tony Robertson who is averaging 10.8 points per game.

THE SERIES:
Miami and Connecticut meet for the 22nd time and the second time this season. The Huskies lead the all-time series 14-7. The Hurricanes have won four of the last seven games against Connecticut. The Huskies won the first meeting this season, an 83-80 overtime win at Gampel Pavilion. The last nine meetings between Miami and Connecticut have been decided by nine points or less.

LAST GAME:
SETON HALL 76, MIAMI 53
January 18, 2003
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
Andre Barrett had 21 points and a season-high 11 assists to lead Seton Hall to a 76-53 victory over Miami in a game that was interrupted for 15 minutes by a power failure at Continental Airlines Arena.

Freshman guard J.R. Morris had a career-high 21 points, John Allen added 18 as the Pirates hit a season-high 12 three-point field goals in winning their second straight.

The Pirates were 7-for-10 from 3-point range in the second half and they finished 12-for-17. The Pirates entered the game as the worst three-point shooting team in the BIG EAST (27.6 percent). Seton Hall shot 54.3 percent (25 of 46) overall in the game.

Miami led for much of the first half, but Barrett eventually took over, scoring 13 of his 16 first-half points in the final 7:44. His 3-point play with 6:07 left in the half gave the Pirates the lead for good at 20-19.

Barrett then fed Morris for the second of his five 3-pointers for a 23-19 lead. Barrett added two more 3-pointers and a jumper in helping Seton Hall take a 35-28 lead.

The Hurricanes got within 40-35 in the opening minutes of the second half, but Barrett fed Morris for both a reverse ally-oop dunk and a 3-pointer, and he later assisted on a 3 pointer and a layup by Allen in a 13-2 spurt that gave Seton Hall a 53-37 lead.

LAST TIME AGAINST CONNECTICUT:
#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.

UP NEXT:
Following the Connecticut game the Hurricanes take on Syracuse on January 26 at 1 p.m at the Convocation Center. The game will be televised by CBS.

TV/RADIO COVERAGE:
Miami’s game versus Connecticut is being televised by ESPN. Dan Shulman and Bill Raftery 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. The game will be broadcast in Spanish on Radio Unica (WNMA – 1210 AM). Roly Martin and Jose Martinez will describe the action. Fans can also catch the game on the web at hurricanesports.com.

A WIN AGAINST CONNECTICUT WOULD:
***Improve Miami’s record to 8-7, 1-3 in the BIG EAST.
***Mark Miami’s first BIG EAST win.
***Snap Miami’s three-game losing streak.
***Mark the ninth straight season UM has defeated a ranked opponent.

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 47-28 (.627) at Miami while his career record stands at 232-173 (.573).

Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun is in his 17 season with the Huskies and 31st season overall. His record at Connecticut 387-151 (.719) while his career mark stands at 635-288 (.688).

FOR OPENERS:
Miami’s game versus Connecticut is the BIG EAST home opener for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are 7-4 all-time in BIG EAST home openers, and have won four of the last five including a 76-69 win over Pittsburgh last season. This marks the first time that the Hurricanes have taken on the Huskies in their first conference home game.

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.

CARRYING THE LOAD:
James Jones (18.4 ppg) and Darius Rice (17.1 ppg) have shouldered the scoring load for the Hurricanes this season. The two are accounting for nearly half (48.9%) of Miami’s points. The two have continued to increase their production each month. During the month of January the tandem has accounted for 56.9 percent of the Hurricanes’ scoring.

UM SINGLE-GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE:
Single-game tickets for the remaining men’s basaketball season, including the Hurricanes match-up with Syracuse on Saturday, January 26 at 1 p.m. at the University of Miami Convocation Center are now on sale. The Syracuse game will be nationally televised on CBS. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

COMMEMORATIVE POSTER GIVEAWAY:
Fans at Miami’s game against Connecticut will receive a free panoramic poster commemorating the opening game at the Convocation Center versus North Carolina.

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 overtime 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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME:
The University of Miami has been dominant at home this season recording a perfect 6-0 record while struggling on the road posting a 1-6 record. The Hurricanes’ numbers both offensely and defensely have been considerably better at home then on the road this season.

ROAD WARRIORS:
Since the 1998-99 season, Miami is 22-14 (.628) in BIG EAST road games. The 22-14 mark is the best record among BIG EAST schools over that period.

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.

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.

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 476 of 479 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 283 turnovers (20.2 per game) while scoring 312 points off those turnovers (22.3 points per game). Miami has recorded 30.7 percent (312 of 1016) 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 7th in the nation in steals. UM has recorded 156 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.