Miami to Take on FAU in Orange Bowl Basketball Classic

July 21, 2009

CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The University of Miami will take on FAU in the 2009 MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on Dec. 19 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

The Hurricanes and Owls will meet for the 19th time in program history – and for the second-straight season – in game one of the annual doubleheader. Miami, who will be making its 15th appearance in the Classic, leads the all-time series versus FAU, 18-1, including an 85-69 win over the Owls in Coral Gables in the last meeting between the programs on Jan. 5, 2009.

Rising senior forward Dwayne Collins led all scorers in that game, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes, including a 6-for-7 effort from the field and a career-high 12 free throws on 16 attempts.

Florida will face Richmond in the final game of the Classic. Game times will be announced at a later date.

The Hurricanes, who have advanced to the postseason in four of five seasons under head coach Frank Haith, return two of their top-three scorers and three players who started 16-or-more games in 2009-10, including Collins (10.6 ppg), who has started 71 games in three seasons and led UM in rebounding in 2008-09 with 7.3 boards an outing.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic through the Orange Bowl Committee via phone (305-341-4701) or online (www.orangebowl.org).