Men's Basketball Hosts New Year's Eve Matinee vs. North Florida
Dec. 30, 2008
CORAL GABLES, FLA… – The University of Miami men’s basketball team kicks off a three-game homestand on Wednesday afternoon versus North Florida at 2 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
Game 12: Miami (8-3) vs. North Florida (2-9)
Date: Wed., Dec. 31, 2008 | Time: 2 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: FSN-FL | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | North Florida (www.unfospreys.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES
Projected Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
01 Lance Hurdle (G, 6-2, 183, Sr.) 7.7 1.6 2.4
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.) 17.3 2.5 2.8
32 Brian Asbury (G/F, 6-7, 221,Sr.) 8.9 2.5 1.3
20 Cyrus McGowan (F, 6-9, 236, R-Jr.) 7.1 5.7 1.0^
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.) 11.5 7.9 1.1*
Projected North Florida Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
23 Eni Cuka (G, 6-2, 180, Jr.) 14.5 3.3 1.3
15 Cortez Riley (G, 6-0, 180, Sr.) 11.9 3.8 3.1
32 Stan Januska (G, 6-6, 210, Jr.) 8.5 4.6 2.8
25 Germaine Sparkes (G, 6-6, 200, Jr.) 5.6 3.1 1.9
44 Kyle Groothuis (F, 6-7, 215, So.) 5.6 4.0 0.1
^ blocks per game * steals per game
Following Miami’s 70-56 win over St. John’s on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the Hurricanes return home for three-straight non-conference games in five days before returning their full attention to ACC play.
SUNSHINE STATE SERIES
Miami is 315-151 (.676) all-time versus opponents from the Sunshine State. The Hurricanes have won 48 of its last 58 games versus Florida schools, dating back to the 1992-93 season. Miami is 17-6 (.739) against in-state opponents under head coach Frank Haith, including a 3-0 mark versus Sunshine State teams this season, defeating Florida Southern, Stetson and FIU.
Under Coach Haith, the Hurricanes have defeated Florida opponents by an average of 19.3 points, including a +22.0 margin of victory this season. Overall, Haith’s Hurricanes hold the +12.1 scoring margin over Florida opponents.
Jack McClinton has scored in double-figures a team-high 11 times versus in-state opponents — including a 31-point effort versus Florida State in 2006-07. Brian Asbury has eight double-figure scoring games versus Sunshine State opponents, followed by Dwayne Collins (7) and James Dews (6). All four scored 10-plus points in their last meeting with North Florida — as did Lance Hurdle and former Hurricane Raymond Hicks.
DID U KNOW…
Miami’s strength of schedule is ranked No. 3 in the country and its RPI is No. 15.
FROM DOWNTOWN
The Hurricanes lead the ACC and are ranked 14th in the nation in three-point field goal percent defense, limiting opponents to just .273 from beyond the arc. In addition, Miami is ranked third in the conference in three-point field goal percentage, converting .361 of their attempts — including an ACC-best .444 from sharpshooter Jack McClinton.
WHAT HAVE U DONE FOR ME LATELY
Jack McClinton is averaging 21.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game over his last three appearances, shooting .513 from the field, .500 from long range and .789 from the line. Dwayne Collins is also averaging double-figure points over his last three outings with 12.3 points at a .684 clip and 5.3 rebounds an outing. James Dews is contributing just below double figures with 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds over the last three games, while converting 5-of-6 free throw attempts.
ROAD WARRIORS
With Saturday’s 70-56 win over St. John’s at Madison Square Garden, the Hurricanes improved to 4-1 in games away from the BankUnited Center this season, and have won three straight off their home court.
With the win, fifth-year head coach Frank Haith added Madison Square Garden to the list of notable venues in which his Hurricanes have won. Haith’s Hurricanes won at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena on Dec. 6, and have also won on the home court of both North Carolina and Florida during his tenure.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
Jack McClinton and Dwayne Collins each scored 13 points to lead the Hurricanes past North Florida, 85-63, in their only previous meeting on Dec. 20, 2007 in Coral Gables. Collins also added 11 rebounds for Miami, who was never threatened after scoring 11-straight points midway through the first half to build a 20-point advantage.
A LOOK AT THE OSPREYS
North Florida has won two of its last three games and is led by 6-2 junior guard Eni Cuka with 14.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. However, the Weston native has only played in four games this season after having to sit out the first semester following his transfer from FAU. UNF, who has lost 66 of its last 73 road games, snapped a 55-game road skid with its 77-66 victory at Furman on Dec. 18. Clemson, the only common opponent on the Miami and UNF schedule to date, defeated North Florida, 76-36, at home on Dec. 16.
