Basketball Returns to Court vs. Alabama State
Nov. 27, 2007
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team returns to action at the BankUnited Center versus Alabama State on Wed., Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Game 6: Alabama State (2-1) at Miami (5-0)
Date: Wed., Nov. 28, 2007 | Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: None | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: ACC Select (www.accselect.com)
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Alabama State (www.bamastatesports.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Probable Miami StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast5 Eddie Rios (G, 6-0, 193, Fr.) 4.8 2.6 4.223 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 11.6 3.0 1.632 Brian Asbury (F, 6-7, 223, Jr.) 10.0 4.2 2.200 Jimmy Graham (F, 6-8, 251, Jr.) 3.6 4.6 0.650 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 11.0 9.2 2.0
Probable Alabama State StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast2 Andrew Hayles (G, 6-5, 190, Jr.) 9.3 4.0 3.311 Brandon Brooks (G, 6-2, 180, Jr.) 5.3 4.0 3.724 Brandon Gordon (F, 6-7, 220, Sr.) 11.0 5.7 1.030 Joel Bosh (F, 6-7, 200, Sr.) 11.3 5.7 2.042 Chief Kickingstallionsims (C, 7-0, 260, Jr.) 8.7 4.7 0.3
At 5-0, the Hurricanes are off to their best start under head coach Frank Haith and have put together their best start since winning 14 straight to open the 2001-02 season. It marks just the fifth time Miami has won its first five games of the season.
Voters are taking note of the Hurricanes’ strong start, as Miami has received votes in both polls for the second-straight week. The Hurricanes are 31st in the AP Top-25 with 68 points, and also earned 28 points in the ESPN/USA Today Poll, good for 33rd in the nation.
Miami is led by four players in double-figure scoring, including Jack McClinton‘s team-high 14.3 points per game. James Dews, a starter in four straight, adds 11.6 points an outing, while Anthony King puts up 11.0 points, 9.2 rebounds per game – good for second in the ACC – and 2.8 blocked shots per game, which ranks third in the league. Brian Asbury adds 10.0 points per game.
The Series
Wednesday’s meeting between Miami and Alabama State marks the third game between the programs, with the teams tied with one win apiece. The Hurricanes won the first game between the teams, 110-107, on Dec. 21, 1987, while the Hornets won the last meeting, 98-81, on Dec. 16, 1989.
A Look at Alabama State
Alabama State comes off a 12-day hiatus and enters Wednesday’s contest with a 2-1 record, including a 1-0 record on the road. The Hornets won its first two games of the season, defeating SMU, 64-54, and Paul Quinn, 90-72, before falling at home to Auburn, 63-60. In that game, the Hornets led 39-35 at the half, but were held to just 28.6 percent shooting in the second stanza, while being out-rebounded 40-27 for the game. Brandon Brooks — who converted 3-of-4 three-point attempts versus the Tigers — and Richard Lott finished with 11 points apiece in the loss.
Three Hornets average double-figure scoring, led by Joel Bosh with 11.3 points per game on 48.1 percent shooting. Brandon Gordon adds 11.0 points an outing, while Lott averages 10.3 points off the bench.
Watch Live on ACC Select
Wednesday’s game will be broadcast exclusively via streaming video on ACC Select at www.accselect.com. Hurricanes fans can purchase a Single Event Pass ($4.99 per event), a Monthly All-Event Pass ($9.99 per month) which allows unlimited access to games or an Annual All-Event Pass ($69.99).
