Hurricanes Host Barry this Thursday

Nov. 2, 2004

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Coral Gables, Fla (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The University of Miami men’s basketball team will open the 2004-05 season with an exhibition game against Barry University this Thursday, November 4 starting at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

Tickets for the event are $5.

The Hurricanes, led by new head coach Frank Haith, return eight lettermen including starters Rob Hite and Guillermo Diaz from last season’s squad. Hite (6-2, 190), Miami’s top returning scorer, was one of the most improved players in the BIG EAST last season averaging 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

He shot 168-344 (.488) from the field, 51-135 (.378) from three-point range, and a team-best 68-79 (.861) from the line. His 25 double-figure scoring games last season tied for the best on the squad and he also led the team in dunks with 29 and steals with 61.

Diaz (6-2, 186) burst on the scene last season to become one on Miami’s top offensive threats as a freshman. Diaz, a former member of the Puerto Rico Junior National Volleyball team, averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season to earn BIG EAST All-Freshman honors.

He connected on 132-268 (.493) field goal attempts and led the team in three-point shooting hitting 35-76 (.461) from behind the arc. Diaz really heated up once the conference season started averaging 12.4 points while shooting 25-49 (.510) from three-point range in BIG EAST contests.

Also returning is junior Eric Wilkins (6-4, 192) who played in 30 games last season. Wilkins, a defensive specialist, started 16 games a year ago averaging 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 47-92 (.511) from the field. Wilkins gives Miami an experienced performer in the backcourt having played in 58 career games, including 22 starts, the last two seasons.

Adding depth to the Hurricanes’ backcourt are senior Brandon Okpalobi (6-2, 188) and sophomore Anthony Harris (6-2, 180).

Okpalobi played in 18 games last season, making one start, and averaged 1.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 10.1 minutes per game. Harris, who can play either the point or shooting guard, also played in 18 games last season averaging 1.4 points per game. Harris showed his potential in last season’s final game against West Virginia scoring nine points in 10 minutes and connecting on 3-4 three-point field goals.

Miami’s returning group of guards is arguably one of the most athletic in the nation boasting an average vertical leap of 38.4 inches. Diaz leads the way with a 41 inch vertical, followed by Wilkins (39.5 inches), Hite (39.0 inches), Harris (36.5 inches) and Okpalobi (36.0 inches).

Joining Miami this season is freshman Antoine Mayhand (6-2, 200). The native of Washington, DC averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists per game last season at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, VA. He played his high school basketball at HD Woodson where he led the team to an 88-7 record and two state championship appearances in three seasons as a starter. He averaged 27 points per game as a senior and 26 points per game as a junior earning All-DCIAA honors both seasons.

Miami lost four-time All-BIG EAST performer Darius Rice to graduation following last season but the Hurricanes may be even deeper up front this season.

The Hurricanes return three frontcourt performers including senior William Frisby (6-8, 235), junior Gary Hamilton (6-10, 250) and sophomore Anthony King (6-9, 230).

Frisby was Miami’s top offensive threat in the paint last season averaging 6.3 points per game. He played in 22 games last season, making eight starts, and led the team in field goal percentage connecting on 49-89 (.551) of his attempts. Frisby was also reliable from the line where he shot 40-53 (.755).

Hamilton brings the most experience to the UM frontcourt having played in 59 career games including nine starts. Last season Hamilton played in 29 games, making one start, averaging 3.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was also the Hurricanes top post defender with a team-high 26 blocks.

Sophomore Anthony King also returns this season. King, a native of Durham, NC played in 21 games as a freshman last season averaging 1.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 6.8 minutes per game.

Miami welcomes Fordham transfer Glenn Batemon (6-11, 335) to the fold this season after sitting out all of last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Batemon started 53 games at center in two seasons at Fordham and averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

Also joining the Hurricanes this season is freshman Raymond Hicks (6-7, 232). Hicks, from Longview, Texas, averaged 21.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season leading Longview High School to a 29-4 record and its first District title in seven years. He earned District 11-5A Co-MVP honors and was selected a Texas High School Coaches Association Basketball All-Star. Hicks left Longview as the school-record holder for points in a game (42), season (698) and career (1,487).

Adding depth to the frontcourt will be junior Keaton Copeland (6-5, 231). Copeland joined the team this summer and averaged 11 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior at Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Season tickets for Miami’s inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference are available for as little as $175. For ticket information, or to purchase tickets, contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at (305) 284-CANE.