Men's Basketball Opens Three-Game Homestand vs. Stetson
Dec. 16, 2007
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The undefeated University of Miami men’s basketball team opens a three-game homestand on Monday, playing host to Stetson at 9 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
Game 10: Miami (9-0) vs. Stetson (2-7)
Date: Mon., Dec. 17, 2007 | Time: 9 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: FSN-FL | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Stetson (www.gohatters.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Probable Miami StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 14.6 2.4 2.423 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 11.1 2.9 1.632 Brian Asbury (F, 6-7, 223, Jr.) 9.2 5.3 2.100 Jimmy Graham (F, 6-8, 251, Jr.) 5.3 4.6 0.450 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 10.1 8.9 1.7
Probable SU StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast31 Kris Thomas (G, 6-2, 170, Jr.) 7.3 3.4 0.714 Garfield Blair (G, 6-5, 210, Jr.) 11.8 5.0 1.402 A.J. Smith (G, 6-0, 170, So.) 10.2 1.2 2.404 Sheldon Oliver (F, 6-5, 210, So) 6.6 4.8 0.621 Eric Diaz (F, 6-6, 225, Jr.) 7.1 4.0 0.3
The 9-0 Hurricanes continue their best start under fourth-year head coach Frank Haith and are among just 14 teams — out of 328 NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs — that remain undefeated. With the nation’s 19th toughest schedule to date, Miami tops three RPI polls and ranks 21st in ESPN’s Power 16 Poll.
Miami is led by Jack McClinton with 14.6 points per game – including an ACC-high 3.0 three-pointers per game. The junior sank five treys in Thursday’s win over Mississippi State, finishing with a season-high 29 points – including 11 points in the final 3:22. James Dews adds 11.1 points per game, converting 50 percent from long range, while Anthony King adds 10.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, fourth best in the ACC.
The Hurricanes lead the ACC in three-point field goal percentage (.441), scoring defense (58.4 ppg), field goal percent defense (.363) and in three-point field goal percent defense (.272), while ranking among the ACC’s top five in 11 statistical categories.
The Holiday Spirit
Miami’s Athletic Department is hosting a Holiday Toy/Book Drive at Monday’s game to benefit the Frances S. Tucker Elementary School. New, unwrapped toys or books may be dropped off at the BankUnited Center. For each item donated, participating fans will receive four vouchers good for free admission to select basketball games.
The Series
With 77 previous meetings, Stetson is the most frequently faced opponent in Miami men’s basketball history. The Hurricanes own the 44-33 all-time series lead, and have won four straight over the Hatters by an average of 21.5 points per game. Stetson last defeated UM in 1971.
A Look at Stetson
Stetson comes off a two-week hiatus from competition and rides a three-game skid into Coral Gables. Of their nine games this season, the Hatters have played seven games — all losses — away from home. Stetson has a pair of players who average double-figure scoring, led by Garfield Blair — whose younger sister, Briyana, is a freshman on the Hurricane women’s basketball squad — with a team-high 11.8 points and a team-high 5.0 rebounds per game. A.J. Smith adds 10.2 points and 1.2 boards an outing for the Hatters.
