Miami Men's Basketball Faces Providence in NIT
March 17, 2009
Complete Game Notes (PDF) | The NIT
PROVIDENCE, R.I… – The fourth-seeded University of Miami men’s basketball team will take on fifth-seeded Providence in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament on Wed., March 18, at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Game 31: #4Miami (18-12) vs. #5 Providence (19-13)
Date: Wed., Mar. 18, 2009 | Time: 7 p.m. (EST) | Site: Dunkin’ Donuts Center
TV: ESPN2 | Radio: 560 WQAM
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Providence (www.friars.com)
Tickets: 401-865-GOPC
Projected Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
23 James Dews (G, 6-4, 209, Jr.) 8.2 2.7 1.2
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.) 19.3 3.0 2.8
32 Brian Asbury (G/F, 6-7, 221, Sr.) 8.1 5.1 1.3
00 Jimmy Graham (F, 6-8, 256, Sr.) 3.8 6.0 1.3^
21 Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.) 10.5 7.1 1.4
Projected Providence Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
13 Weyinmi Efejuku (G/F, 6-5, 210, Sr.) 15.7 4.0 1.5*
04 Sharaud Curry (G, 5-10, 170, Jr.) 11.9 1.9 4.3
34 Jonathan Kale (F/C, 6-8, 245, Sr.) 10.1 5.9 0.7
01 Jeff Xavier (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.) 9.4 3.0 1.4*
11 Geoff McDermott (F, 6-8, 235, Sr.) 8.3 8.6 1.2^
^ blocks per game
The Hurricanes advance to the postseason for the fourth time in five years under head coach Frank Haith. Miami – who is making its 15th overall postseason appearance – is making its third NIT appearance under Haith and the ninth in program history.
The winner of Wednesday’s game between Miami and Providence advances to the NIT’s second round to take on the winner of the contest between top-seeded Florida (23-10) and eighth-seeded Jacksonville (18-13). Those two teams square off in Gainesville on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
PLAY ON
The Hurricanes are among eight ACC schools that have advanced to the postseason at least four times in the last five years. North Carolina, Duke and Maryland are the only programs to advance to the postseason for the last five-straight years.
In 2009, the Hurricanes have gone 7-10 versus teams who have advanced to the postseason, including a 6-8 mark versus NCAA Tournament teams (three of those losses to No. 1 seeds and five of those to top-five seeds) and a 1-2 record versus NIT teams.
THE SERIES
Providence owns the 15-14 edge in the all-time series between these former Big East rivals, however the Hurricanes have won four of their last six meetings– including a 64-58 win on Nov. 18, 2007, to claim the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic championship in San Juan.
In that game, James Dews led Miami with 17 points — including three three-pointers, while Brian Asbury added 16 points. Providence’s Weyinmi Efejuku, an All-Big East Honorable Mention pick in 2009, led all scorers with 21 points in the game.
FACING THE BIG EAST
Miami’s top-two leading scorers put in strong performances in a pair of games versus Big East teams this season (vs. UConn and at St. John’s). Two-time First Team All-ACC selection Jack McClinton averaged a team-best 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game – converting .457 from the field and .667 from long range. Dwayne Collins added 16.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
With five games versus Big East teams over their careers, McClinton contributes a team-high 14.2 points per game, while Collins adds 11.8 points (and 7.8 rebounds) and James Dewschips in 8.2 points per game.
MEET THE FRIARS
In 2009, a veteran Friars squad finished the regular season in eighth place in the Big East with a 10-8 mark – including wins over Pittsburgh and Syracuse. They knocked off DePaul, 83-74, in the second round of the Big East Tournament, before falling to Louisville, 73-55, in the quarterfinals.
All-Big East Honorable Mention selection Weyinmi Efejuku leads Providence with 15.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while Sharaud Curry adds 11.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. Four Friars average double-figure scoring and seven players contribute more than 8.0 points per game.
HURRICANE WARNING
In 2009, Miami reached 18 wins for the 16th time in program history and for the third time under fifth-year head coach Frank Haith. Since 1997-98, the Hurricanes have won 18-plus games seven times — including three times in the last four years under Haith.
MIAMI IN THE NIT
Miami has a 3-8 record in eight previous appearances in the NIT, with its best performance a 2-1 showing in 2005-06 — its last NIT appearance — in which the Hurricanes advanced to the quarterfinals. That year, the Hurricanes hosted their first postseason game in program history — a 62-59 home win over Oklahoma State in the first round. Then, Miami picked up its first NIT road win with a 53-52 victory at Creighton before falling at Michigan, 71-65, in the quarterfinals.
