Hurricanes Host Golden Panthers In Season Opener

Nov. 9, 2006

Game Notes (PDF)

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (0-0)
at
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (0-0)
When: November 11, 2006 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: BankUnited Center (7,000) – Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: None
Radio: WINZ (940 AM), WVUM (90.5 FM)
Websites: UM (www.hurricanesports.com); FIU (www.fiusports.com)
Tickets: $15, $20, $25 – For tickets call (305) 284-CANES
Up Next: vs. Alcorn State, Nov. 14 – 7:30 p.m. at BankUnited Center

THE MATCHUP:

The University of Miami hosts Florida International University in the season opener for both schools.

Florida International enters the 2006-07 season looking to rebound from a disappointing 8-20 record last season.

The Golden Panthers return just five lettermen and one starter from last season team, and must find a replacement for leading scorer Ivan Almonte who graduated having registered 28 career double-doubles.

FIU’s lone returning starter is senior guard Johwen Villegas who ranked second on the team in scoring last season averaging 10.4 points per game. Villegas was one of the Sunbelt Conferenc’s top three-point threats ranking third in the conference in three-point field goals per game (2.64).

One of the Golden Panther’s top newcomers this season is 6-7 sophomore Alex Galindo who transfered from Kansas prior to last season. As a freshman at Kansas in 2004-05 Galindo averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 23 games before a groin injury slowed his progress.

Miami brings back nine lettermen, including two-year starters Anthony King and Anthony Harris, from last season’s squad that finished 18-16 and advanced to the quarterfinals of National Invitation tournament.

Harris averaged 9.5 points per game, which ranked third on the team last season, and handed out a team-high 3.07 assists per contest. His 220 career assists ranks 14th on Miami’s all-time list.

King has started all 63 games over the last two seasons. He averaged 8.8 points, a team-high 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last year. King’s 157 career blocks which ranks fourth on UM’s all-time list.

Miami also expects big things from sophomore transfer Jack McClinton who averaged 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game as a freshman at Siena in 2004-05.

LAST TIME OUT:
MIAMI 94, NORTHWOOD 54
November 6, 2006
BankUnited Center, Coral Gables, Fla.

Sophomore Jimmy Graham scored a game-high 14 points to lead four Hurricanes in double-figures as the University of Miami knocked off Northwood University, 94-54, in an exhibition game at the BankUnited Center.

Jack McClinton, a transfer from Siena, scored 13 points in his first game since March 2005, while senior Anthony King and freshman James Dews each added 10.

Miami connected on 34-of-57 (.596) from the field, including 9-of-16 from three-point range, while holding the Seahawks to 19-of-62 (.306) shooting. Led by Dews, the Hurricanes received 42 points from its bench.

Northwood is an NAIA institution in West Palm Beach and is led by legendary head coach Rollie Massimino. The Seahawks were led by Marvin Owens who posted team highs in scoring (11) and rebounding (7).

LAST TIME AGAINST FIU:
MIAMI 80, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 67
December 7, 2004
Pharmed Arena, Miami, Fla.

Robert Hite poured in a game-high 29 points and Anthony Harris posted his second consecutive career-high with 25 points to lead the University of Miami to an 80-67 win over crosstown rival Florida International at Pharmed Arena.

Miami’s three starting guards of Hite, Harris and Guillermo combined for 67 points on the night. Guillermo Diaz had 13 for the Hurricanes, but played just 26 minutes due to foul trouble.

Hite, who also had a team-high nine rebounds, was 11-19 from the field, including 7-10 from three-point range. The seven treys were a career-high for Hite and the most by a Hurricane since January 20, 2003 when Darius Rice connected on seven threes against Connecticut.

Miami shot 51.7 percent in the first half to open up a 40-27 lead at halftime. The Hurricanes extended the lead to 64-44 following a long three-pointer by Hite with 10:23 to play.

FIU would get no closer than 11 the rest of the way. The Golden Panthers were led by Ivan Almonte who posted 22 points while Junior Matias came off the bench to score 21.

A WIN OVER FIU WOULD:

***Mark Miami’s 14th straight season opening win.
***Mark Miami’s fourth straight win over the Golden Panthers.
***Improve Miami’s all-time record against FIU to 10-1.
***Improve Miami’s record against in-state opponents to 10-2 under head coach Frank Haith.

THE SERIES:

Miami and Florida International meet for the 11th time with the Hurricanes holding a 9-1 all-time series lead. Miami and FIU last met in on December 7, 2004, an 80-67 Hurricane win at FIU. Miami and FIU last faced in the BankUnited Center on DEcember 6, 2003, an 89-72 Miami win. The Golden Panthers’ lone win in the series was a 72-64 victory on December 1, 1992 at Miami Arena. Miami has won three straight against FIU.

TV/RADIO:

The Miami-FIU game is not being televised. The game can be heard on the Hurricane Radio Network, WINZ (940 AM). Josh Darrow will call all the action. The game will also be broadcast on the University of Miami Student Radio Network, WVUM (90.5 FM).

ON THE COACHES:

Miami head coach Frank Haith is in his third season with the Hurricanes. His record career record is 34-29 (.540). Last season he led Miami to an 18-16 record and a second consecutive NIT appearance.

Florida International head coach Sergio Rouco is in his third season as a collegiate head coach, all with the Golden Panthers. His career record is 21-37 (.362).

FOR OPENERS:

Miami’s game versus Florida International marks the season opener for the Hurricanes. Miami has won its last 13 season openers and is 19-2 (.905) in season openers since the rebirth of the program in 1985. Miami’s all-time record in season opening games is 44-12 (.785).

HURRICANES VS FLORIDA SCHOOLS:

Miami is 304-147 (.674) against teams from the state of Florida. Miami has won 39 of its last 45 games against Florida schools dating back to the 1992-93 season. Miami is 9-2 against in-state opponents under head coach Frank Haith.

MIAMI vs. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:

Since UM began conference play in 1991-92, the Hurricanes have compiled an 110-52 (.679) record against non-conference opponents, including a 78-17 (.821) mark at home. The Hurricanes are 24-3 (.889) against non-conference opponents at the BankUnited Center.

WINGING IT:

The University of Miami is long and lean this season. In fact, the Hurricanes have three players with wing spans of at least seven feet. In addition, Miami has four other players with wing spans of 6-11.

IT’S ALL ACADEMIC:

Freshmen Brian Asbury, Jimmy Graham and Adrian Thomas were all named to the 2006 ACC All-Academic Basketball team giving the Hurricanes more honorees then any other team in the league.

EASY AS 1, 2, 3:

The Hurricanes have made a three-point basket in 137 consecutive games and have made at least one trey in 583 of 586 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.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:

Since the 1998-99 season the Hurricanes are 43-4 (.915) when shooting 50 percent or better from the field. Miami is 9-0 when shooting 50 percent or better under head coach Frank Haith. Miami’s last loss when shooting over 50 percent was January 10, 2004 against Pittsburgh. That night the Panthers defeated the Hurricanes 84-80 in 2OT despite a 50.8 percent shooting performance by UM.

KEEPING UP WITH KING:

Since 2004-05 Anthony King may be the most improved player in the ACC. King went from a little used reserve in 2003-04 to starting every game the last two seasons. King has improved his scoring , field goal percentage and free throw percentage each season.

HOLDING TEAMS UNDER 100:

The Hurricanes have not allowed an opponent to reach the century mark in 463 consecutive 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. The last team to score 100 points against the Hurricanes in a non-overtime game was at Providence on February 21, 1990, a 101-67 Friar victory. 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 251 games.

MIAMI CONTINUES 200/100 STREAK:

The Hurricanes recorded 241 steals and 135 blocks last season marking the 12th consecutive year in which they have surpassed both 200 steals and 100 blocks. The 12 season streak is the longest among ACC schools. Duke and Maryland have the next longest streaks at 10 seasons each.

CAREER 10+ REBOUND GAMES (Since 1985-86):

Anthony King has recorded 17 career games of 10+ rebounds which ranks sixth on UM’s modern career list (since 1985-86).

Joe Wylie (1988-91), 35
Tim James (1995-99), 30
Tito Horford (1986-88), 28
Eric Brown (1985-89), 26
Constantin Popa (1991-95), 22
Anthony King (2003-06), 17

NOT IN MY HOUSE:

Forward Anthony King has recorded 157 career blocked shots placing him fourth on UM’s all-time list. He is only 35 blocks shy of tying James Jones for third.