Hurricanes Set To Take On Massachusetts Sunday
Dec. 10, 2004
Complete Release in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS (3-2)
at
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (4-2)
When: December 12, 2004 – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Convocation Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: None
Radio: WWFE (670 AM), WVUM (90.5 FM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); UMass (www.umassathletics.com)
Tickets: $10/$20/$25 – Call 305-284-CANE in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES
ON MASSACHUSETTS:
Massachusetts enters its game with the Hurricanes with a record of 3-2 following a stunning 61-59 win over sixth-ranked Connecticut on Thursday night snapping the Minutemen’s two-game losing streak. UMass had dropped consecutive games to Northeastern (84-68) and Gonzaga (68-57).
UMass has been led this season by 6-9 sophomore center Rashaun Freeman who currently leads the team in both scoring (15.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.4 rpg). Freeman, who scored a game-high 18 points against Connecticut, has connected on 32-58 (.552) from the field this season.
The Minutemen have received strong play from their perimeter players this season who are averaging a combined 30.8 points per game. Junior forward Maurice Maxwell is averaging 12.6 points and 3.2 assists per game. Senior guard Anthony Anderson may be the team’s best all-around player adding 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game. Sophomore guard Art Bowers chips in 7.4 points and 3.6 assists per game.
Both Maxwell (36.0 percent) and Anderson (37.8 percent) have been on target from three-point range this season.
ON THE COACHES:
Frank Haith was named Miami’s 11th head men’s basketball coach on April 12, 2004. In his 15 seasons as an assistant at the D-I level, he has helped lead teams that have won an NIT Championship, advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen three times, reached one Elite Eight and one Final Four. Haith, who is in his first season as a head coach, is 4-2 this season with the Hurricanes.
UMass head coach Steve Lappas is in his fourth season with the Minutemen and 17th season overall. His record at UMass is 37-54 (.406) while his overall record is 267-226 (.542).
LAST GAME – MIAMI 80, FIU 67
December 7, 2004
Pharmed Arena, Miami, Fla.
Robert Hite poured in a game-high 29 points and Anthony Harris posted his second consecutive career-high with 25 points to lead the University of Miami to an 80-67 win over crosstown rival Florida International at the Pharmed Arena.
Miami’s three starting guards of Hite, Harris and Guillermo combined for 67 points and gave the Golden Panthers problems all night. Guillermo Diaz had 13 for the Hurricanes, but played just 26 minutes due to foul trouble.
Hite, who also had a team-high nine rebounds, was 11-19 from the field, including 7-10 from three-point range. The seven treys were a career-high for Hite and the most by a Hurricane since January 20, 2003 when Darius Rice connected on seven threes against Connecticut.
Miami shot 51.7 percent in the first half to open up a 40-27 lead at halftime. The Hurricanes extended the lead to 64-44 following a long three-pointer by Hite with 10:23 to play.
FIU would get no closer than 11 the rest of the way. The Golden Panthers were led by Ivan Almonte who posted 22 points while Junior Matias came off the bench to score 21.
A WIN VERSUS UMASS WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 5-2 this season.Improve Miami’s record to 1-1 against the A-10 this season.Mark Miami’s fourth consecutive victory.Improve UM’s home record against non-conference opponents to 67-15 (.817).
TV/RADIO:
The Miami-UMass game will not be televised. The game will be broadcast on the Hurricane Radio Network, WWFE (670 AM). Joe Zagacki “The Voice of the Hurricanes” will call the action with Josh Darrow adding analysis. Brian London will serve as studio host. The game will also be broadcast on WVUM (90.5 FM), the University of Miami student radio network.
THE SERIES:
Miami and Massachusetts will be meeting for the first time on the hardwood.
MIAMI’S LETHAL WEAPON III:
Miami’s three guard line-up of Robert Hite (22.0 ppg), Anthony Harris (14.3 ppg) and Guillermo Diaz (14.2 ppg) have been difficult for Hurricane opponents to contend with this season. The trio has combined to average 50.5 points per game, or 72 percent (303 of 423) of the teams scoring this season.
MIAMI VERSUS THE ATLANTIC 10:
Massachusetts is the second team from the Atlantic 10 the Hurricanes have faced this season. Miami lost to Xavier, 83-70, in overtime at the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on November 27. The Hurricanes are 16-26 all-time against teams in the Atlantic 10.
MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:
Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 95-45 (.679) record against non-conference opponents, including a 66-15 (.815) mark at home. Miami is 4-2 against non-conference opponents this season.
VS THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
Miami is 299-145 (.673) against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has won 34 of its last 38 games against Florida schools dating back to the 1992-93 season. Miami has four straight games against in-state opponents.
MIAMI IN THE 2004-05 POLLS:
Miami received four votes in this week’s Associated Press College Basketball poll placing them in a tie for 40th in the nation. The votes in the AP poll are the first for UM since March 10, 2002 when the Hurricanes were ranked 21st in the nation with 348 points. The last time Miami received votes in any poll was December 2, 2002 when the Hurricanes received four votes in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. 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 ever in the Coaches poll also came on March 1, 1999 (10th).
GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY:
The Hurricanes roster this season may be one of the most geographically diverse of any team in the nation. Miami’s 14-man roster is represented by 12 different states and Puerto Rico. Each of Miami’s 11 scholarship players hail from different states or country.
