`Canes to Host No. 9 North Carolina
Feb. 3, 2010
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team will face the No. 9/15 North Carolina Tar Heels in an Atlantic Coast Conference game, at the BankUnited Center on Thursday, Feb. 4. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
North Carolina (16-4, 4-2) at Miami (14-7, 2-5)
Thursday, February 4, 2010 / BankUnited Center / Coral Gables, Fla. / 7 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: WVUM FM 90.5
Web/Live Stats: www.hurricanesports.com
Internet Video: None
Internet Audio: wvum.org
Miami faces North Carolina in the first game of a three-game homestand, but the ‘Canes head into the contest with a season-long three-game losing streak.
In its last outing, Miami fell to Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., 72-64. In that game, Diane Barnes led all UM players with 15 points and was tied with Riquna Williams with a game-high eight rebounds. Williams had 11 points of her own and Shenise Johnson scored 14 points while adding seven boards and four steals.
On the season, Williams and Johnson rank second and third in the conference in scoring at 20.3 and 17.9 points per game, respectively. Barnes is tied for second in the ACC with 8.5 rebounds per game and Morgan Stroman leads all conference freshmen with 1.76 steals per game.
A Look at the Tar Heels
North Carolina comes to Coral Gables with the ACC’s highest scoring offense and a 4-2 conference record. In its last game, UNC fell for the first time at home on the season to Florida State, 83-73.
The Tar Heels are led by Italee Lucas who is averaging 16.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Cetera DeGraffenreid and Chay Shegog score 13.6 and 9.1 points per game respectively. DeGraffenreid also leads the team with 111 assists on the year.
North Carolina is averaging 81.1 points and 48.2 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 43.1 percent (592-1372) from the floor, 29.9 percent (85-284) from beyond the arc and 65.7 percent (352-536) from the free throw line. The Tar Heels also register 11.3 steals and 6.2 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 64.5 points per game and a shooting percentage of 36.5 (481-1318).
The Series
In 11 games, North Carolina holds a 9-2 advantage over the Hurricanes in their all-time series, including six straight victories. Last season, in Chapel Hill, N.C., four Miami players scored in double-figures, led by Lamese James’ 17 points – as the Tar Heels were able to hold on for a 90-76 win.
