Hurricanes Tackle The Terps Saturday
Feb. 4, 2005
#22/#24 MARYLAND (13-6, 4-4)
at
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (13-7, 4-5)
When: February 5, 2005 – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Convocation Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: WBFS-TV (UPN)
Radio: WQAM (560 AM); WVUM (90.5 FM); WSUA (1260 AM) in Spanish
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); MD (www.umterps.com)
Up Next: at Clemson – Feb. 12 at 12:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15, $25, $30 – Call 305-284-CANE in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES
ON MARYLAND:
Maryland enters its match-up with the Hurricanes with a record of 13-6, 4-4 in the ACC, following an 88-73 loss at Clemson on February 1st.
The Terrapins, who are ranked 22nd by the Associated Press and 24th in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll, had won two straight games, both against ranked opponents prior to the Clemson loss. Maryland knocked off second-ranked Duke, 75-66, at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 26, followed by a 79-71 home win over 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech on January 30.
Maryland is the top rebounding team in the ACC averaging 42.7 rebounds per game, while their 14.32 offensive rebounds per game ranks second in the league behind Miami (15.15).
The Terrapins are led in scoring by junior forward Nik Caner-Medley who is averaging a team-high 17.0 points per game. Junior point guard John Gilchrist ranks second on the team in scoring (14.4 ppg) and leads the team in assists (5.4 apg). His 2.06 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks second in the conference. Also averaging in double-figures in scoring is junior guard Chris McCray (12.2 ppg). McCray ranks second in the conference in free throw percentage (.926).
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 13-7 this season with the Hurricanes.
Maryland head coach Gary Williams is in his 16th season with the Terrapins and 27th season overall. His record at Maryland is 328-171 (.657) while his overall mark is 535-299 (.641).
VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS:
The Hurricanes are 20-23 versus ranked opponents since 1996-97 and have defeated at least one ranked team in 10 of the last 11 seasons. Miami is 29-89 (.245) all-time against ranked teams including a 26-75 (.257) 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 13 ranked teams at home.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE ANOTHER YEAR MAKES:
Miami guard Rob Hite was one of the most improved players in the BIG EAST last season. Hite’s numbers were significantly improved in almost every category from his freshman season and have improved even more this season.
PLAYING ABOVE THE RIM:
The Hurricanes recorded 90 dunks (3.0 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. This season the Hurricanes have recorded 53 dunks (2.7 per game).
MIAMI’S LETHAL WEAPON III:
Miami’s three guard line-up of Guillermo Diaz (18.4 ppg), Robert Hite (17.7 ppg) and Anthony Harris (13.0 ppg) have combined to average 49.0 points per game, or 66.9 percent (980 of 1464) of the teams scoring this season.
ACC’S TOP SCORING TRIOS:
The Miami trio of Robert Hite, Guillermo Diaz and have accounted for 66.9 percent of the team’s scoring which is the highest of any trio in the ACC. Duke’s J.J. Redick, Daniel Ewing and Shelden Williams rank second having accounted for 65.9 percent (980 of 1486) of the Blue Devils’ scoring this season. In addition UM’s guards are the second highest scoring scoring trio in the ACC averaging 49.0 points per game. Duke (54.4 ppg) ranks first.
HITE REACHES 1,000:
Rob Hite recorded 17 points against Virginia Tech to become the 27th player in UM history to score 1,000 career points. Hite currently has at 1,011 career points. Miami’s all-time leading scorer is Rick Barry who recorded 2,298 points from 1962-65.
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS:
Miami is the top-ranked offensive rebounding team in the ACC averaging 15.15 offensive rebounds per game. The Hurricanes have taken advantage of their second chance opportunities converting their 303 offensive rebounds this season into 328 total points, or 1.08 points per offensive rebound. Miami is averaging 16.4 points per game off offensive rebounds or 22.4 percent of the team’s scoring.
Miami has three players that rank among the top-10 in the ACC in offensive rebounding including William Frisby (3rd), Anthony King (4th) and Gary Hamilton (8th). No other ACC school has more than one player ranked among the top-10 in offensive rebounding.
TAKING ADVANTAGE:
This season the Hurricanes have been able to take advantage of opponent turnovers. Miami is averaging 1.04 points per turnover forced (293 points/281 opponent turnovers).
