Rice Named All-BIG EAST

March 10, 2003

New York, NY (hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami junior forward Darius Rice was named third-team All-BIG EAST while senior forward James Jones (Miami American) earned honorable mention All-BIG EAST honors by a vote of the league’s coaches.

Rice, a mid-season finalist for the John R. Wooden College Basketball Player of the Year Award, is averaging a team-high 19.0 points per game to go with 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 steals. He currently ranks among the BIG EAST leaders in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals made.

The Hurricanes have had 13 All-BIG EAST selections over the last 11 seasons and have had at least one All-BIG EAST selection for six consecutive seasons.

Miami, the sixth-seed out of the East Division, opens the ConAgra BIG EAST Championship on Wednesday, March 12 at 9 p.m. against West No. 3 seed Seton Hall. The game will be televised live on ESPN.

2002-03 All-BIG EAST First TeamTroy Bell, Boston College, Sr., 6-1, 183, Minneapolis, Minn.*Emeka Okafor, Connecticut, So., 6-9, 252, Houston, TexasMike Sweetney, Georgetown, Jr, 6-8, 260, Oxon Hill, Md.*Matt Carroll, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-6, 212, Horsham, Pa.Marcus Hatten, St. John=s, Sr., 6-1, 165, Baltimore, Md.Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse, Fr. 6-8, 220, Baltimore, Md.

All-BIG EAST Second TeamCraig Smith, Boston College, Fr., 6-7, 265, Los Angeles, Calif.Ben Gordon, Connecticut, So., 6-2, 185, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.Chris Thomas, Notre Dame, So., 6-1, 182, Indianapolis, Ind.Brandin Knight, Pittsburgh, Sr., 6-0, 183, East Orange, N.J.Ryan Gomes, Providence, So., 6-7, 238, Waterbury, Conn.Andre Barrett, Seton Hall, Jr., 5-10, 172, Bronx, N.Y.

All-BIG EAST Third TeamDarius Rice, Miami, Jr., 6-10, 215, Jackson, Miss.Julius Page, Pittsburgh, Jr., 6-3, 191, Buffalo, N.Y.Chevon Troutman, Pittsburgh, So., 6-7, 236, Williamsport, Pa.Hakim Warrick, Syracuse, So., 6-8, 205, Philadelphia, Pa.Drew Schifino, West Virginia, So., 6-3, 190, Pittsburgh, Pa.

All-BIG EAST Honorable MentionJames Jones, Miami, Sr., 6-8, 225, Miami, Fla.Ontario Lett, Pittsburgh, Sr., 6-6, 265, Pensacola, Fla.Gary Buchanan, Villanova, Sr., 6-3, 205, St. Louis, Mo.Ricky Wright, Villanova, Sr., 6-7, 225, E. Chicago, Ind.Bryant Matthews, Virginia Tech, Jr., 6-7, 202, Columbia, S.C.Terry Taylor, Virginia Tech, Sr., 6-8, 292, Virginia Beach, Va.

BIG EAST All-Rookie TeamCraig Smith, Boston College, Fr., 6-7, 265, Los Angeles, Ca.Torin Francis, Notre Dame, Fr., 6-10, 240, Roslindale, Mass.Donnie McGrath, Providence, Fr., 6-4, 185, Katonah, N.Y.Kelly Whitney, Seton Hall, Fr., 6-8, 228, Chicago, Ill.Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse, Fr., 6-8, 220, Baltimore, Md.*Gerry McNamara, Syracuse, Fr., 6-2, 172, Scranton, Pa.*Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia, Fr., 6-10, 220, Martinsburg, W.Va.

* denotes unanimous selection