Miami To Face Wofford On Saturday

Dec. 8, 2005

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WOFFORD COLLEGE (3-5) at UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (5-3)
When: December 10, 2005 – 7:30 PM (ET)
Where: BankUnited Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: FSN Florida (Live)
Radio: WQAM (560 AM); WVUM (90.5 FM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); WOF (www.wofford.edu)
Tickets: $10, $20, $25 – Call 1-800-GO-CANES
Up Next: @ NC State, Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m. – Fox Sports Net

Probable Miami Starters

Probable Wofford Starters

ON WOFFORD:

Wofford College enters the game with record of 3-5 folowing a hearbreaking 62-60 loss at Clemson on December 6. Wofford, a heavy underdog, had a chance to win the game but Tyler Berg’s three-point attempt as time expired bounced off the back iron.

The Terriers are led by senior forward Howard Wilkerson who is averaging 12.4 points per game, leads the team in rebounding (6.4 rpg), and is shooting a remarkable 64.5 percent (40-62) from the field. Wilkerson, who was an All-SoCon selection following the 2003-04 season, missed the final 12 games of last season due to a knee injury.

Wofford boasts a balanced offense as forward Eric Marshall (12.8 ppg) and sophomore guard Shane Nichols (12.4 ppg) are also averaging in double-figures. Senior center Tyler Berg, an All-SoCon last season, missed the first four games due to a sprained ankle. He has returned to play in the last four games and is averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

THE SERIES:

Miami and Wofford meet for just the second time. The Hurricanes and Terriers faced off for the first time in last season’s opener with the Miami winning, 67-64, giving head coach Frank Haith his first career win.

TV/RADIO:

The Miami vs. Wofford game will be televised live on FSN Florida. Frank Forte (play-by-play) and Bob Wenzel (analysis) will call all the action.

The game can be heard 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 will also be broadcast on WVUM (90.5 FM), the University of Miami student radio network.

LAST SEASON AGAINST WOFFORD:

MIAMI 67, WOFFORD 64
November 20, 2004
Convocation Center, Coral Gables, Fla.

Anthony King grabbed 19 rebounds and added eight points as Miami held off a late Wofford rally to win 67-64 and first-year head coach Frank Haith his first career victory.

King recorded the highest rebounding total by a Miami player since the rebirth of the program in 1985-86. Gary Hamilton also had 15 rebounds for the Hurricanes, who were led by Guillermo Diaz’s 13 points.

Harold Wilkerson led the Terriers with 23 points and nine rebounds.

Wofford pulled to within one point at 63-62 on an Adrien Borders three-pointer with 4:10 left in the game and cut Miami’s lead to 65-64 on a reverse layup by Wilkerson with 2:11 remaining.

Backup point guard Brandon Okpalobi hit a twisting layup with 1:20 left to push the Hurricanes lead to 67-64, but missed a wide-open layup with 22 seconds remaining.

Wofford guard Drew Gibson’s 3-point attempt caromed in and out, and King was fouled by Wilkerson.

King’s miss from the free throw line with 14 seconds left gave the Terriers one more shot to tie the game, but Eric Marshall missed from the left corner.

ON THE COACHES:

Miami head coach Frank Haith is in his second season with the Hurricanes. His record career record is 21-16 (.568), including a 5-3 mark this season.

Wofford head coach Mike Young is entering his fourth season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Terriers. His record stands at 40-54 (.426).

MIAMI-WOFFORD CONNECTIONS:

Miami guard Robert Hite and Wofford guard Byron Fields played together at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hurricane forward Gary Hamilton and Wofford guard Drew Gibson both played at Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, Calif.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:

Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 105-49 (.682) record against non-conference opponents, including a 74-16 (.822) mark at home. Miami is 5-3 against non-conference opponents this season.

HURRICANES TEAM UP WITH TOYS FOR TOTS:

The University of Miami men’s basketball team has teamed up with the United States Marine Corps to participate in the 2005 holiday Toys for Tots program. Several marines will be on hand prior to 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 the game 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 Corps will be performing the National anthem prior to the December 10th game versus Wofford. Reshard, a University of Miami student, took time off from his studies to serve a tour of duty overseas. He recently returned to Miami and will have one semester left before receiving a degree in Vocal Performance.

HURRICANES TIE SCHOOL-RECORD:

The University of Miami shot 66.7 percent (30-45) from the field against Birmingham-Southern on December 3 tying the school single-game record for field goal percentage. Miami tied the record set against Coppin State (24-36) on January 20, 1988, and later matched against Bethune-Cookman (32-48) on December 5, 1988.

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 25.1 points per game which accounts for 35.3 percent of the team’s offense, and are shooting a combined 57.7 percent from the field.