Men's Hoops Prepares For Texas Arlington

Nov. 11, 2005

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TEXAS-ARLINGTON (13-15, 7-9 Southland) vs. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (16-13, 7-9 ACC) BCA Classic – First Round

When: November 13, 2005 – 2:00 PM (PT)
Where: Bank of America Arena (10,000) – Seattle, Wash.
TV: None
Radio: WQAM (560 AM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); UTA (www.utamavs.com)
Up Next: Air Force or Northern Arizona, November 14, Time (TBD)

Probable Miami Starters (2004-05 Stats)

ON TEXAS-ARLINGTON: The Texas-Arlington Mavericks enter the 2005-06 season with 10 returning lettermen, including four starters, from last season’s squad that finished 13-15 overall, 7-9 in the Southland Conference. Overall, UTA returns an experienced group that includes eight players that started at least three games last season. The Mavericks are home grown with 14 ot the 15 players on the UTA roster hailing from the state of Texas. Leading the way for the Mavericks is senior forward Steven Thomas who led the team in both scoring and rebounding last season averaging 17.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. The 6-5, 215 pound native of Fort Worth, Texas also led the team in field goal percentage connecting on 59.3 percent (153-258) of his attempts. UTA’s back court is led by senior guard Jarrett Howell who last season ranked second on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg). In addition, Howell averaged 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 50.6 percent (43-85) from three-point range. The Mavericks two remaining starters returning from last season are 6-8 center Jermaine Griffin (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and 5-11 guard Brady Dawkins (6.4 ppg, 3.9 apg).

THE SERIES: This is the first meeting between the University of Miami and Texas-Arlington.

TV/RADIO: The Miami vs. Texas-Arlington game is not being 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.

ON THE COACHES: Miami head coach Frank Haith is entering his second season with the Hurricanes. Last season Haith guided UM to a 16-13 record, including a 7-9 record in the ACC, and a the school’s first post season appearance since 2002. Texas-Arlington head coach Eddie McCarter is entering his 14th season season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Mavericks. His record at UTA is 165-195.

FOR OPENERS: Miami’s game versus Texas-Arlington marks the season opener for the Hurricanes. Miami has won its last 12 season openers and is 18-2 (.900) in season openers since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami’s all-time record in season opening games is 43-12 (.782).

DIAZ NAMED PRESEASON FIRST TEAM: Junior guard Guillermo Diaz was named a Preseason All-ACC selection as selected by members of the media at the league’s 44th annual Operation Basketball. Diaz, a 2004-05 All-ACC Second Team selection, is joined on the preseason team by J.J. Redick (Duke), Shelden Williams (Duke), Craig Smith (Boston College) and Justin Gray (Wake Forest). Redick was also selected as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year while North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough was named ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year. Preseason All-ACC J.J. Redick, Duke-87* Shelden Williams, Duke-87* Craig Smith, Boston College-73 Guillermo Diaz, Miami-59 Justin Gray, Wake Forest-57 Preseason Player of the Year: J.J. Redick, Duke Preseason Rookie of the Year: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina *Denotes unanimous vote

PRESEASON TOURNAMENTS:

The BCA Classic marks the first season opening tournament the Hurricanes have competed in since taking part in the Las Vegas Tournament in 2003. The Hurricanes posted a 2-2 record in that tournament to finish tied for third. In 2001, Miami captured the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam in St. Thomas marking the school’s first preseason tournament championship.

PRESEASON ACCOLADES:

Miami recieved several accolades in this season’s preseason basketball annuals.

Street & Smith’s

Guillermo Diaz – ACC Best Athlete

Guillermo Diaz – All-ACC

Anthony Harris – ACC Best Passer

Sporting News

Guillermo Diaz – Third-team All-American

Guillermo Diaz – No. 4 shooting guard in the nation

Guillermo Diaz – First-team All-ACC

Robert Hite – ACC Most Underrated Player

Robert Hite – No. 18 small forward in the nation

Miami – No. 4 backcourt in the nation

Lindy’s

Guillermo Diaz – No. 10 shooting guard in the nation

Guillermo Diaz – Second-team All-ACC

Guillermo Diaz – ACC Most Entertaining Player

Robert Hite – Third-team All-ACC

Miami – No. 7 backcourt in the nation

Miami – No. 24 recruiting class in the nation

Athlon Sports

Frank Haith – Coaches on the Rise

Guillermo Diaz – No. 3 shooter in the nation

Guillermo Diaz – Third-team All-American

Guillermo Diaz – First-team All-ACC

Robert Hite – Second-team All-ACC

Denis Clemente – No. 10 freshman point guard in the nation

Brian Asbury – No. 17 freshman shooting guard in the nation

Jimmy Graham – No. 19 freshman power forward in the nation

Miami – No. 13 recruiting class in the nation

ACC Basketball Handbook

Guillermo Diaz – First-team All-ACC

Robert Hite – Third-team All-ACC

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:

Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 100-46 (.685) record against non-conference opponents, including a 71-16 (.816) mark at home. Miami went 9-3 against non-conference opponents last season.

UM IN THE 2004-05 NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS:

Rebound Margin49th+4.2Blocked Shots Per Game 33rd4.8Turnovers Per Game46th13.0Individual Rankings (Final)ScoringGuillermo Diaz41st18.6Blocks Per GameAnthony King7th3.0

PLAYING HIS BEST AGAINST THE BEST:

Last season Miami guard Guillermo Diaz played his best when facing the best. Miami faced nine ranked teams last season and in those games he averaged 22.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. He shot 75-155 (.484) from the field against ranked teams including 26-63 (.413) from three-point range. Diaz scored 20-or-more points in seven of the nine games versus ranked opponents.

KEEPING UP WITH THE ANTHONY’S:

Miami juniors Anthony Harris and Anthony King may have been the most improved duo in the nation last season. Both went from sparingly used freshmen in 2003-04 to starters last season. The two improved their numbers in every statistical category last season.

HARRIS OUT WITH FRACTURE:

Junior Anthony Harris is expected to miss three to six weeks after a bone scan revealed a hairline fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. Harris was placed in a cast on Thursday, November 3 and will be reevaluated in three weeks.

CLUTCH UNDER PRESSURE:

Miami’s starting guards were clutch from the line in pressure situations hitting 77-90 (.855) free throws in the final four minutes of games last season. In the final two minutes of games UM’s guards were 55-62 (.887) from the line.

MIAMI’S LETHAL WEAPON III:

Miami’s three guard line-up of Guillermo Diaz (18.6 ppg), Robert Hite (17.3 ppg) and Anthony Harris (12.4 ppg) combined to average 48.2 points per game, or 67.5 percent (1398 of 2071) of the teams scoring last season.

ACC’S TOP SCORING TRIOS:

The Miami trio of Robert Hite, Guillermo Diaz and Anthony Harris accounted for 67.5 percent of the team’s scoring which was the highest of any scoring trio in the ACC last season. Duke’s J.J. Redick, Daniel Ewing and Shelden Williams ranked second accounting for 67.3 percent (1739 of 2581) of the Blue Devils’ scoring. In addition UM’s guards were the second highest scoring trio in the ACC averaging 48.2 points per game. Duke (52.6 ppg) ranked first.

HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS:

Miami ended the season as the second-ranked offensive rebounding team in the ACC averaging 14.93 offensive rebounds per game. Maryland ranked first averaging 14.97 offensive rebounds per game.

The Hurricanes took advantage of their second chance opportunities converting their 433 offensive rebounds into 434 total points, or one point per offensive rebound. Miami averaged 15.0 points per game off offensive rebounds or 21 percent of the team’s scoring.

Miami had three players rank among the top-10 in the ACC in offensive rebounding including Anthony King (5th), William Frisby (6th) and Gary Hamilton (8th). No other ACC school has more than one player ranked among the top-10 in offensive rebounding.

EASY AS 1, 2, 3:

The Hurricanes have made a three-point basket in 103 consecutive games and have made at least one trey in 549 of 552 games since the NCAA adopted the three-point shot in 1986. Miami failed to hit a three-point basket against Indiana on December 15, 2001 (0-13), against St. John’s on March 5, 2000 (0-13) and against Howard University on December 6, 1991 (0-15). Miami is 2-1 all-time when failing to hit a three-pointer.

HITE REACHES 1,000:

Rob Hite recorded 17 points against Virginia Tech last season to become the 27th player in UM history to score 1,000 career points. Hite currently ranks 20th on UM’s career scoring list with 1,159 career points. Miami’s all-time leading scorer is Rick Barry who recorded 2,298 points from 1962-65.