Miami Looks to Sweep Series with Clemson
Feb. 26, 2008
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CLEMSON, S.C. – The Hurricanes ride a four-game win streak into Wednesday’s game at Clemson. With four ACC games remaining on Miami’s regular-season schedule, the Hurricanes will play two at home in the BankUnitedCenter and a pair on the road. UM has won two-straight ACC road games, over Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, and is 7-5 for the season away from its home court.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Game 27: Miami (19-7, 6-6 ACC) vs. Clemson (19-7, 7-5 ACC)
Date: Wed., Feb. 27, 2008 | Time: 7:30 p.m. | Site: Littlejohn Coliseum
TV: None | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: ACC Select
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Clemson (www.clemsontigers.com)
Probable Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
1 Lance Hurdle (G, 6-2, 180, Jr.) 7.8 1.8 2.4
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 16.3 2.4 2.7
23 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 10.7 2.8 1.8
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 235, So.) 9.6 6.3 1.0^
50 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 7.5 7.4 1.5^
Probable Clemson Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
01 K.C. Rivers (G/F, 6-5, 215, Jr.) 15.3 6.8 1.8
25 Cliff Hammonds (G, 6-3, 200, Sr.) 12.0 4.0 3.8
32 Sam Perry (F, 6-5, 215, Sr.) 2.6 2.2 0.7
35 Trevor Booker (C/F, 6-7, 240, So.) 11.3 8.0 1.9^
40 James Mays (F, 6-9, 230, Sr.) 10.0 7.1 1.9*
^ blocks per game * steals per game
With Saturday’s home win over Maryland, the Hurricanes improved to 12-2 in the BankUnitedCenter this season to set a new program mark for home wins at the arena. With two home games remaining in the regular season, Miami has already surpassed last season’s home win total by four games. After winning its first nine home games this season by an average of 22.2 points per game, UM dropped its first home contest to North Carolina on Jan. 23.
The Hurricanes wrapped up a three-game week with Saturday`s 78-63 win over Maryland. They opened the busy week with a 64-63 win at Georgia Tech on Sunday, and then held on for the 96-95 win over No. 5/4 Duke on Wednesday at home. Miami won its fourth-straight ACC game for the first time in four years as a member of the league, pushing the Hurricanes to 19-7 overall – the most wins by a Frank Haith-coached UM squad and the most wins for UM since 2001-02 (24-8).
Dunkin’ Dwayne
Sophomore Dwayne Collins was named National Player of the Week by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com after helping the Hurricanes to wins over Duke and Maryland last week. Collins averaged 19 points and 6.5 rebounds over those two wins, shooting 72 percent from the field –including a career-high 26-point performance (12-14 FGs, 2-3 FTs, 7 rebs, 2 stl) in the W over Duke.
The Series
Wednesday marks the 13th meeting between Miami and Clemson, with the all-time series knotted 6-all. The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven over the Tigers, including a 75-72 win in Coral Gables on Jan. 27.
Last Meeting
Jack McClinton scored 16 points, including three dramatic 3-pointers, as Miami defeated Clemson, 75-72, in Coral Gables on Jan. 27. McClinton hit three consecutive 3-pointers over a 1:23 span late as Miami rallied from a six-point deficit. McClinton’s third 3-pointer with 1:07 left gave the Hurricanes the lead for good, 66-65. Lance Hurdle converted two free throws with 50.5 and 31.7 left, increasing Miami’s lead to 70-65. After Brian Asbury and Demontez Stitt traded free throws with 26.6 and 25.3 left respectively, Stitt’s field goal with 16.3 remaining cut Miami’s advantage to 72-69. But Asbury secured the victory with two free throws with 14.6 left. Stitt led the Tigers with 15 points, while James Mays finished with 14. Dwayne Collins led Miami with a then- season-high tying 18 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.
A Look at Clemson
Since losing at Miami on Jan. 27, Clemson has played four of its last six games on the road, going 4-2. The Tigers are 12-2 at home in Littlejohn Coliseum this season, including a 5-1 mark in ACC play — with their only home league loss coming in the conference opener to North Carolina, 90-88, in overtime. After an eight-day layoff, the Tigers look to rebound from their Feb. 19 loss at FloridaState. In Tallahassee, Clemson could not overcome an 18-point halftime deficit and fell 64-55, behind a season-low offensive output on a season-worst 30.8 percent shooting — including an 11.1 percent accuracy rate from beyond the arc (3-27). Cliff Hammonds — the Tigers’ second-leading scorer with 12.0 points and a team-best 3.8 assists per game — led the effort with 13 points, while Trevor Booker added 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. K.C. Rivers averages a team-high 15.3 points per game, while Terrence Oglesby adds 10.6 points an outing — including 2.5 treys per game at a .403 clip.
