Hurricanes Prepare For Michigan
March 21, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (18-15, 7-9 ACC)
at
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (20-10, 8-8 Big Ten)
National Invitation Tournament – Quarterfinals
When: March 22, 2006 – 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Where: Crisler Arena (13,751) – Ann Arbor, Mich.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WKAT (1360 AM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); U-M (www.goblue.com )
Tickets: Contact the Michigan ticket office at (734) 764-024
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| Probable Miami Starters | |||||||
| No Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Cl | Pts | Reb | Ast |
50 Anthony King F 6-9230 Jr. 8.96.90.602 Gary HamiltonC 6-10 265 Sr. 3.85.50.915 Denis Clemente G 6-0165 Fr. 5.61.32.113 Guillermo DiazG 6-2186 Jr. 17.2 2.92.922 Robert Hite G 6-2190 Sr. 16.3 5.81.4
| Probable Michigan Starters |
No Name Pos Ht WtCl PtsReb Ast32 Lester Abram W 6-6200 Jr. 10.5 3.21.225 Graham Brown F 6-9255 Sr. 5.47.31.231 Chris Hunter F 6-11 225 Sr. 7.73.60.404 Daniel Horton G 6-3205 Sr. 17.8 2.65.422 Sherrod Harrell G 6-3200 Sr. 0.80.70.
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THE MATCHUP:
The top-seeded University of Michigan (20-10) hosts the third-seeded University of Miami (18-15) in the quarterfinals of the NIT with the winner earning trip to Madison Square Garden for semifinals, March 28, against the winner of the Old Dominion-Hofstra quarterfinal game.
Michigan advanced to the quarterfinals with an 87-84 double-overtime win over Notre Dame on Monday at Crisler Arena.
The Wolverines are led by senior guard Daniel Horton who is averaging team-highs in scoring (17.8 ppg), assists (5.4 apg), steals (1.9 spg) and free throw percentate (.928).
Michigan’s balanced offensive attack boasts four players averaging in double-figures including junior guard Dion Harris (11.4 ppg), junior center Courtney Sims (11.2 ppg) and senior wing Lester Abram (10.5 ppg).
The Wolverines rank second in Big Ten in free throw percentate (.756) and led the league in rebounds allowed (29.3 rpg).
Miami enters the NIT quarterfinals following a 53-52 second round win over second-seeded Creighton University on Monday in Omaha, Neb.
The Hurricanes have been led by the duo of junior Guillermo Diaz and senior Robert Hite. Diaz, a second-team All-ACC selection, is averaging a team-high 17.2 points per game, and ranks second on the team in assists (2.9 apg). His 1.42 assist to turnover ration is tops on the team.
Hite, a third-team All-ACC selection, ranks second on the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game, and leads the team in steals (50). He is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game, second-best on the team, and leads the team in three-point field goals (83) and three-point field goal percentage (.417). Hite’s 83 treys this season are a UM single-season record.
In Miami’s four post season games, Hite is averaging a team-high 8.8 rebounds per game. Also playing well during the post season has been sophomore forward Raymond Hicks who is averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, while shooting 12-20 (.600) from the field.
A WIN AGAINST MICHIGAN WOULD:
Improve Miami’s record to 19-15 on the season.Mark Miami’s first win over Michigan.Send the Hurricanes to Madison Square Garden for the NIT semifinals.Mark just the first time in school-history the Hurricanes have won three post season games.
THINGS TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
Robert Hite needs one steal to move into sole possession of fourth on UM’s all-time list.Robert Hite needs two points to reach 1,700 for his career.With a start against Michigan, Hite will move into 2nd on UM’s career list with 109.Robert Hite needs nine rebounds to become the first guard in UM history to record 500 points and 200 rebounds in a season.Guillermo Diaz needs six assists to become the first player in UM history to record 500 points and 100 assists in a season.Guillermo Diaz needs one three-point field goal to move into fourth on UM’s all-time career list.
ON THE COACHES:
Miami head coach Frank Haith is in his second season with the Hurricanes. His record career record is 34-28 (.548), including a 18-15 mark this season. With the Hurricanes’ NIT bid this season, Haith becomes just the second coach in school-history to lead Miami to the post season in his first two seasons.
Michigan head coach Tommy Amaker is in his fifth season with the Wolverines and ninth season overall. His record at Michigan is 85-69 (.552), while his overall mark is 153-124 (.552).
THE SERIES:
Miami and Michigan meet for the second time this season and the fourth time overall with the Wolverines winning both previous encounters. Michigan and Miami first met on November 27, 1987 in the opening round of the Great Alaska Shootout, a 109-76 Wolverine victory. The second meeting was in the opening round of the 1997 NIT, a 76-63 Michigan win in Ann Arbor. This season the two met in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
SERIES HISTORY:
| Nov. 27, 1987 | Michigan 109, UM 76 | Anchorage, AK |
| Mar. 13, 1997 | Michigan 76, UM 63 | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Nov. 29, 2005 | Michigan 74, UM 53 | Ann Arbor, MI |
TV/RADIO:
The Miami-Michigan game will be televised on ESPNU. Dave Armstrong (play-by-play) and Shon Morris (analysis) will call 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.
HITE READY TO JOIN SELECT GROUP:
Robert Hite has 539 points and 191 rebounds this season. Hite needs just nine rebounds to become the ninth player in UM history to record 500 points and 200 rebounds in a single season. What’s even more impressive is that Hite will become the first guard to accomplish the feat.
