Miami Set To Host Birmingham Southern On Saturday

Dec. 1, 2005

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BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN (3-1)

vs.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (4-3)

When: December 3, 2005 – 7:30 PM (ET)

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

TV: None

Radio: WKAT (1360 AM); WVUM (90.5 FM)

Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); B-S (www.bscsports.com)

Tickets: $10, $20, $25 – Call 1-800-GO-CANES

Up Next: vs. Wofford, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. at BankUnited Center

Probable Miami Starters

Probable Birmingham-Southern Starters

ON BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN:

Birmingham-Southern enters Saturday’s game with a record of 3-1 following a 69-55 win over Alabama State on Wednesday night. The Panthers, a member of the Big South Conference, return just four lettermen and three starters from last season’s 16-14 squad. Head coach Duane Reboul replenished his team with two talented junior college transfers including leading scorer Dwayne Paul.

Paul has come off the bench in all four games but leads the team in scoring (14.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). Another JC transfer, Ed Horton, has started every game this season at guard and is averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and is tied for the team lead in assists (2.3 apg).

The Panthers’ top all-around player is senior forward Thomas Viglianco who ranks second on the team in scoring (12.5 ppg), is third in rebounding (5.0 rpg) and is tied of the team lead in assists (2.3 apg), while shooting 18-32 (.563) from the field including 7-15 (.467) from three point range. Viglianco along with junior guard Bucky McMillan and senior guard James Collins are all returning starters from last season. Birmingham-Southern has 10 players averaging over 10 minutes of playing time per game.

THE SERIES:

This is the first meeting between the University of Miami and Birmingham-Southern.

TV/RADIO:

The Miami vs. Birmingham-Southern game will be not be televised.

The game can be heard on the Hurricane Radio Network, WKAT (1360 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.

ON THE COACHES:

Miami head coach Frank Haith is in his second season with the Hurricanes. His record career record is 20-16 (.556), including a 4-3 mark this season.

Birmingham-Southern head coach Duane Reboul is in his 17 season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Panthers. His record is 386-116 (.769).

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:

Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 104-49 (.679) record against non-conference opponents, including a 73-16 (.820) mark at home. Miami is 4-3 against non-conference opponents last season.

HURRICANES TEAM UP WITH TOYS FOR TOTS:

The University of Miami men’s basketball team has teamed up with the United States Marine Corp to participate in the 2005 holiday Toys for Tots program. Several marines will be on hand prior to the December 3rd game versus Birmingham Southern as well as the December 10th game against Wofford, collecting toys for underprivileged children.

All fans are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy with them to the game. Fans looking to purchase tickets for these games can take advantage of a special buy one get one free men’s basketball ticket, provided that you donate an unwrapped toy at the time of your purchase.

For more information, log on to www.hurricanesports.com

US MARINE TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM:

Lloyd Reshard Jr., a member of the United States Marine Corp will be performing the National anthem prior to the December 3rd game versus Birmingham-Southern and the December 10th game versus Wofford. Reshard, a University of Miami of Miami student, took time off from his studies to serve a tour of duty in Iraq. He recently returned from combat and will resume his studies in January. He will have one semester left before receiving a degree in Vocal Performance.

GETTING IT DONE DOWN LOW:

Last season the Hurricanes struggled to score inside. Miami’s post players of only accounted for 20.3 points per game, or 28.5 percent of the teams scoring a year ago, and shot a combined 48.7 percent from the field.

This season the Hurricanes have made a concerted effort to establish the low post and Miami’s post players have been up to the task. Miami’s post players are averaging 26.7 points per game which accounts for 36.7 percent of the team’s offense, and are shooting a combined 56.9 percent from the field.

DIAZ REACHES 1,000:

Guillermo Diaz scored 21 points against Michigan on November 29, 2005 to become the 28th player in UM history to reach the 1000-point plateau. Rob Hite reached the 1,000-point plateau last season and currently ranks 16th on UM’s career scoring list with 1,260 points.

MAN OF STEAL:

Guard Robert Hite recorded two steals against Michigan increasing his career total to 154 which is tied for sixth on UM’s all-time list.

NOT IN MY HOUSE:

Forward Anthony King recorded one blocks against Michigan increasing his career total to 108 placing him seventh on UM’s career list.

HOLDING TEAMS UNDER 100:

The University of Miami has always prided itself on playing tough defense. Over the last 16 seasons the Hurricanes have not allowed an opponent to reach the century mark, a streak of 437 games. The last team to reach the 100-point plateau was Miami (OH) on December 27, 1990 in a 101-99 double-overtime victory over UM at the Eastern Airlines Palm Beach Classic.

The last team to score 100 points against the Hurricanes in a non-overtime game was Providence on February 21, 1990, a 101-67 Friar victory at the Providence Civic Center.

Miami has not allowed a team to score 100 points at home since Kansas defeated Miami 100-73 on January 10, 1990, a current streak of 238 games.=””>