Hurricanes Host South Carolina State Tuesday Night

Nov. 22, 2004

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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (1-0)

When: November 23, 2004 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: ConvocationCenter (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.

TV: None

Radio: WQAM (560 AM)

Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); SCSU (www.scsusports.com)

Tickets: $10/$20/$25 – Call (305) 284-CANE in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES

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ON SOUTH CAROLINASTATE:

South CarolinaState enters its match-up with Miami with a record of 3-1 following a 50-47 win over AlabamaState on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs return all five starters from last season’s team that finished 18-11 and tied for the MEAC regular season championship with a 14-4 conference record.

South CarolinaState’s lone defeat this season came against Mississippi, 64-52, in the opening game of the BCA Classic. The Bulldogs won the next two games of the tournament against JacksonvilleState (80-72) and PennState (63-43) to finish in fifth-place.

The Bulldogs have been led this season by the front court combination of Thurman Zimmerman and Brian Mason. Zimmerman leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.0 rpg) while shooting 50 percent (22-44) from the field and 90 percent (18-20) from the line.

Mason has been just as impressive ranking second on the team in both scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.0 rpg) while connecting on 55.2 percent (16-29) of his shots from the field and 94.4 percent (17-18) from the free throw line.

THE SERIES:

Miami and South CarolinaState will be meeting for the first time on the hardwood.

TV/RADIO:

The Miami-SouthCarolinaState game 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 call the action with Josh Darrow adding analysis. Brian London will serve as studio host.

LAST GAME – MIAMI 67, WOFFORD 64

November 20, 2004

ConvocationCenter, Coral Gables, Fla.

Anthony King grabbed 19 rebounds and added eight points as Miami held off a late Wofford rally to win 67-64 and first-year head coach Frank Haith his first career victory.

King recorded the highest rebounding total by a Miami player since the rebirth of the program in 1985-86. Gary Hamilton also had 15 rebounds for the Hurricanes, who were led by Guillermo Diaz’s 13 points.

Harold Wilkerson led the Terriers with 23 points and nine rebounds.

Wofford pulled to within one point at 63-62 on an Adrien Borders three-pointer with 4:10 left in the game and cut Miami’s lead to 65-64 on a reverse layup by Wilkerson with 2:11 remaining.

Backup point guard Brandon Okpalobi hit a twisting layup with 1:20 left to push the Hurricanes lead to 67-64, but missed a wide-open layup with 22 seconds remaining.

Wofford guard Drew Gibson’s 3-point attempt caromed in and out, and King was fouled by Wilkerson.

King’s miss from the free throw line with 14 seconds left gave the Terriers one more shot to tie the game, but Eric Marshall missed from the left corner.

A WIN VERSUS SOUTH CAROLINASTATE WOULD:

*Give Frank Haith his second win as a head coach.

*Mark the sixth consecutive season the Hurricanes have opened the season 2-0.

*Improve Miami’s home record against non-conference opponents to 66-14 (.825).

*Improve Miami’s record to 19-1 against teams currently in the MEAC.

TUESDAY IS LADIES NIGHT:

The University of Miami invites all ladies to to enjoy an evening of live basketball action as the Hurricanes host South CarolinaState this Tuesday. Any woman wishing to come the game may purchase a general admission ticket for just $8. For more information please call (305) 284-CANE or visit www.hurricanesports.com.

FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL TICKET PROMOTION:

The University of Miami is offering a special Thanksgiving Week men’s basketball/football ticket promotion. Any Hurricane fan with a Miami-Wake Forest football game ticket may purchase up to four half-priced tickets for the UM versus South Carolina State men’s basketball game. For more information please call (305) 284-CANE or visit www.hurricanesports.com.

ON THE COACHES:

Frank Haith was named the University of Miami’s 11th head men’s basketball coach on April 12, 2004. In his 15 seasons as an assistant at the Division I level, he has helped lead teams that have won one NIT Championship, advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen three times, reached one Elite Eight and one Final Four. Haith, who is entering his first season as a collegiate head coach, has worked at several top-ranked programs including Texas and WakeForest. Haith is 1-0 this season with the Hurricanes.

South CarolinaState head coach Benjamin Betts, Jr. is in his second season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Bulldogs. His record stands at 21-12 (.636) including a 3-1 record this season.

MIAMI VERSUS THE MEAC:

South CarolinaState will be the first of two MEAC teams the Hurricanes will face this season. Miami will play NorfolkState on January 2, 2005. The Hurricanes are 18-1 all-time against teams in the MEAC including eight consecutive victories. Miami’s only loss to a MEAC opponent came against Howard, 64-55, on December 6, 1991.

HURRICANES SIGN THREE:

Head coach Frank Haith signed 6-6 swingman Brian Asbury (South Miami), 6-0 point guard Denis Clemente (Miami Calusa Prep) and 6-7 forward Adrian Thomas (Pembroke Pines Flanagan) to national letters of intent to attend the University of Miami next fall. The three South Florida signees mark the most in one UM recruiting class since the rebirth of the program in 1985-86. All are ranked among the top-100 players in the nation.

CLEANING THE GLASS:

In the Hurricanes season opener against Wofford, Miami’s frontcourt of sophmore Anthony King and junior Gary Hamilton became the first Hurricane duo since the rebirth of the program in 1985 to record 15 or more rebounds apiece. King pulled down 19 rebounds marking the most by a Hurricane since the program’s rebirth, while Hamilton posted a career-high 15 rebounds. King and Hamilton combined for 34 rebounds which bettered the entire Wofford team (32).

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES:

Miami guard Rob Hite was one of the most improved players in the BIG EAST last season. He was one of the Hurricanes’ most consistent offensive threats scoring in double-figures in 25 of 30 games. Hite’s numbers were significantly improved in almost every category last season.

HAITH NAMED RECRUITER OF THE YEAR:

Frank Haith was been named the Rivals.com 2004 National Basketball Recruiter of the Year. As an assistant at Texas last season Haith helped the Longhorns land the top recruiting class in the nation during the 2004 recruiting season. Texas signed three McDonald’s All-Americans including LaMarcus Aldridge, Daniel Gibson and Mike Williams, and kept two of the state’s top players close to home including Dion Dowdell and Conner Atchley. Haith has recruited a total of six McDonald’s All-American’s including Rodney Rodgers (Wake Forest, 1990), Jerald Brown (Texas A&M, 1995) and Brad Buckman (Texas, 2002) and has coached six players that are in the NBA including T.J. Ford (Milwaukee Bucks), Joshua Howard (Dallas Mavericks), Chris Owens (Memphis Grizzlies), Darius Songaila (Sacramento Kings), Calvin Booth (Seattle Sonics) and Rodney Rogers (New Jersey Nets).

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:

Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 92-43 (.681) record against non-conference opponents, including a 65-14 (.823) mark at home. Miami was 10-4 against non-conference opponents in 2003-04 and is 1-0 this season.

MIAMI JOINS THE ACC:

On July 1, 2004 the University of Miami officially became a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami had been a member of the BIG EAST Conference since the 1991-92 season. Miami holds a 40-54 (.425) record against teams currently in the ACC.

VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:

Miami is 296-145 (.671) against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has won 31 of its last 35 games against Florida schools dating back to the 1992-93 season.

A MODEL OF EFFICIENCY:

Rob Hite ranked 16th in the BIG EAST in scoring last season at 15.2 ppg but a closer look shows that he was one of the more efficient scorers in the league averaging 1.32 points per shot attempt (455 points/344 field goal attempts). His 1.32 average ranked ninth among the conference’s top 20 scorers.

HIGH FLYERS:

Miami’s returning guards have an average vertical jump of 38.4 inches. Leading the way is sophomore Guillermo Diaz who has a vertical leap of 41 inches.

PLAYING ABOVE THE RIM:

The Hurricanes recorded 90 dunks (3.00 per game) last season. Miami’s 90 dunks were the most since UM had 111 dunks during the 1988-89 season. Rob Hite led the Hurricanes in dunks last season with 29.

VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:

The Hurricanes are 19-21 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in nine of the last 10 seasons. Miami is 28-87 (.243) all-time against ranked teams including a 25-73 (.255) record since the rebirth of the program in 1985.

NO DAY AT THE BEACH:

Miami has defeated at least one ranked opponent at home in nine of the last 10 seasons. Since 1994-95 the Hurricanes have knocked off 12 ranked teams at home.

WORKING OVERTIME:

Miami played in four overtime games last season. In 2002-03 Miami played a school single-season record five overtime games. Miami has played at least one overtime contest in each of the last six seasons. UM has amassed a 9-10 record (including tournament games) in BIG EAST overtime contests (5-6 at home). The ‘Canes own a 25-28 overall record in overtime contests during their history (5-6 in double-overtime games and a 20-22 mark in single-overtime contests).