Hurricanes Set To Take On Hokies
Jan. 31, 2005
Complete Release in PDF Format
VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY (11-7, 4-3)
at
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (13-6, 4-4)
When: February 2, 2005 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Convocation Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: None
Radio: WQAM (560 AM); WVUM (90.5 FM); XM Satellite Radio
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); VT (www.hokiesports.com)
Up Next: vs. Maryland – Feb. 5 at 3:00 p.m. at Convocation Center
Tickets: $15, $25, $30 – Call 305-284-CANE in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES
ON VIRGINIA TECH:
Virginia Tech travels to Coral Gables to face the Hurricanes with a record of 11-7, 4-3 in the ACC, follow ing a 100-65 loss at Duke on Sunday. The loss to Duke snapped the Hokies five game win streak which included four straight ACC wins against Clemson, NC State, Georgia Tech and Virginia.
Virginia Tech has been led this season by sophomore guard Zabian Dowdell and senior forward Carlos Dixon. Dowdell leads the team in scoring averaging 14.6 points per game while Dixon is averaging 14.2 points per contest.
Dixon and Dowdell have been one of the ACC’s most lethal outside shooting tandems. Dixon has connected on 35-84 (.417) from behind the arc while Dowdell has hit 37-85 (.435) from long range.
Sophomore center Coleman Collins (11.6 ppg) ranks third on the team in scoring and leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg).
Sophomore point guard Jamon Gordon (9.9 ppg) has emerged as one of the ACC’s best all-around guards. In addition to ranking fourth on the team in scoring, he currently leads the Hokies in assists (4.5 apg) and steals (2.7 spg), and is the team’s second leading rebounder (4.9 rpg).
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 is 13-6 this season with the Hurricanes.
Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg is in his second season with the Hokies and 15th season overall. His record at Virginia Tech is 26-21 (.553) while his overall mark is 239-191 (.556).
LAST MEETING WITH VIRGINIA TECH:
MIAMI 65, VIRGINIA TECH 59
January 17, 2004
Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA
Robert Hite scored 26 points to lead the University of Miami to a 65-59 victory over Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum.
Hite was 9-for-10 from the field, including 5-for-5 from 3-point range as the Hurricanes overcame 20 turnovers to defeat the Hokies and record their second consecutive BIG EAST road win.
Bryant Matthews had 33 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for the Hokies but no other Virginia Tech player scored in double figures.
The Hurricanes started the second half with a 12-5 run capped by Rodrigue Djahue’s free throw to take a 46-31 lead with 15:15 remaining. Djahue recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Seven straight points from Matthews and a layup by Markus Sailes drew Virginia Tech to within three at 48-45 with 8:26 left. Matthews continued to supply most of the offense for Virginia Tech, making a trio of 3-pointers over the next six minutes, but Miami never let the Hokies get closer than five the rest of the way.
Miami held the Hokies to 30.4 percent from the field compared to 54.3 percent by the Hurricanes.
A WIN VERSUS VIRGINIA TECH WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 14-6 overall and 5-4 in the ACC.Mark the Hurricanes’ seventh straight win over the Hokies.Match Miami’s overall win total from last season.Make UM postseason eligible.
HURRICANE GREEN NIGHT:
The Virginia Tech game is Hurricane Green Night. All fans who wear Green in support of the Hurricanes can purchase general admission tickets for only $12 (game day purchase only).
TV/RADIO:
The Miami-Virginia Tech 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.
The game can also be heard on the University of Miami student radio network, WVUM (90.5 FM).
THE SERIES:
Miami and Virginia Tech meet the eighth time, but the first as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hurricanes have won the last six meetings against Virginia Tech and are 3-0 at home against the Hokies.
TALKING RPI:
As of January 30 the Hurricanes were No. 58 in the RPI rankings according to Collegiate Basketball News. The ACC is currently the nation’s top-rated conference and has seven teams ranked among the top-60 in the RPI.
MIAMI’S LETHAL WEAPON III:
Miami’s three guard line-up of Guillermo Diaz (18.5 ppg), Robert Hite (17.7 ppg) and Anthony Harris (13.3 ppg) have combined to average 49.5 points per game, or 67.1 percent (940 of 1401) of the teams scoring this season.
HITE CLOSING IN ON 1,000:
With six points against Virginia Tech, Robert Hite will become the 27th player in UM history to reach 1,000-point plateau. Hite currently has at 994 career points. Miami’s all-time leading scorer is Rick Barry who recorded 2,298 points from 1962-65.
