Hurricanes Face Boston College in Early ACC Road Test
Jan. 14, 2008
CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. – The No. 21/24 University of Miami men’s basketball team goes on the road to take on Boston College at Silvio O. Conte Forum in an regionally-televised ACC match on Tues., Jan. 15, at 9 p.m.
Game 16: Miami (14-1, 1-0 ACC) vs. Boston College (11-4, 2-0 ACC)
Date: Tues., Jan. 15, 2008 | Time: 9 p.m. | Site: Silvio O. Conte Forum
TV: RSN/FSN Florida | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Boston College (www.bceagles.com)
Tickets: 617-552-GOBC
Probable Miami StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 15.4 2.3 3.023 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 11.9 2.5 1.832 Brian Asbury (F, 6-7, 223, Jr.) 10.5 5.3 2.500 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 235, So.) 9.3 6.3 1.3^50 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 8.8 7.9 1.6^
^ blocks per game
Probable Boston College StartersNo. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast04 Tyrese Rice (G, 6-1, 190, Jr.) 19.9 3.5 5.215 Rakim Sanders (G, 6-5, 225, Fr.) 12.1 4.7 2.521 Tyler Roche (F, 6-7, 220, So.) 5.7 2.3 2.434 Shamari Spears (F, 6-6, 238, So.) 11.3 7.2 1.344 Tyrelle Blair (C, 6-11, 242, Sr.) 6.3 4.7 4.0^
After defeating Georgia Tech last week, the Hurricanes return to the top 25 in both national polls. Miami moves up four spots in the AP Top 25 to rank No. 21 this week, and re-enters the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll at No. 24 after a two-week absence. It marks the ninth-straight week, of 10 total this season, the Hurricanes have received notice in the polls.
At 14-1, the Hurricanes have tied the program’s best record 15-games into the season. The feat was previously achieved during the 2001-02 and 1959-60 seasons.
Despite a slow start points in Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech, James Dews knocked down a career-high 20 points. The sophomore hit a pair of baskets near the end of the first half to help the Hurricanes to the 33-31 halftime lead, and then scored 16 second-half points — including Miami’s only two three-pointers — en route to the win. It marked the fifth double-figure scoring performance in the last six games for Dews, and the team-high tying 10th double-figure scoring game of the season (tied with Jack McClinton).
Junior guard Brian Asbury is averaging 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals over the last two games, including a career-high 22-point effort versus Penn to start off the New Year with a win. For the season, Asbury is third on the team in scoring with 10.5 points per game, and adds 5.3 rebounds (also third) and 2.6 assists per game. He is shooting 85.4 percent (41-48) from the line — sixth best in the ACC, 50.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from long range.
Jimmy Graham, who turned in a strong outing versus Boston College in the teams’ last meeting in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, comes off a career-high tying 13-point game-changing performance versus the Yellow Jackets. Trailing 19-12 midway through the opening half, Graham came in off the bench and posted a block (9:19), free throw (8:32), dunk (7:39), layup (6:56) and jumper (6:01) — for a total of seven points in a three-minute span to fuel Miami’s 10-3 run to cut Georgia Tech’s lead.
The Series
Tuesday marks the 30th meeting between Miami and Boston College, with the Eagles holding the 21-8 all-time series lead. Boston College ranks among the top 10 most-frequently faced opponents in Miami history, as the two were previously conference members of the Big East before joining the ACC. Although the Eagles have won 12 straight over the Hurricanes by an average of 6.9 points per game, a fiery Miami took Boston College to overtime in their last meeting, a 74-71 loss in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals on Mar. 9, 2007. In that game, three Hurricanes finished in double-figure scoring, led by McClinton’s 16 points. Graham added 12 points and four rebounds in the effort.
A Look at Boston College
Boston College returns to the court after Saturday’s 112-73 win over Wake Forest, in which six players finished in double-figure scoring — led by Tyrese Rice’s career-high tying 32 points (11-11 FTs), eight assists and six rebounds. John Oates added 14 points off the bench, including converting 4-of-5 three-pointers. For the season, Rice averages a team-high (2nd in the ACC) 19.9 points and 5.2 assists (5th in the ACC) per game, while Rakim Sanders adds 12.1 points (.514 FG%, .453 3FG%) and Shamari Spears contributes 11.3 points and 7.2 rebounds an outing. Tyrelle Blair blocks an ACC-high 4.0 shots per game.
