@CanesHoops at Savannah State - Dec. 19
Dec. 19, 2013 | 7 p.m.
Savannah, Ga. | Tiger Arena
TV: CSS | CSN California | CSN Mid-Atlantic | TCN Philly
Radio: 640 WMEN | Sirius 85 | XM 85
Web: http://wftlsports.com
Miami 5-5
Game Notes | Stats | Record Book | Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results
The Game
Miami hits the road to face Savannah State in Georgia on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
The Series
Miami is 3-0 in the all-time series against Savannah State, which dates back to the 1988-1989 season. The Canes are 3-0 against the Tigers at home. Miami was won three straight matchups against Savannah State, defeating the Tigers, 107-98, on March 2, 1989; on Nov. 30, 2002 they defeated Savannah State 91-57, and most recently downed the Tigers 105-65 on Jan. 3, 2004, all in Coral Gables.
The Broadcasts
Catch the game on CSS with Mike Morgan and Bobby Cremins making the call. Also check out the game on 560 WQAM Radio with Joe Zagacki.
The Coach
Head coach Jim Larrañaga has a 524-359 overall record in his 30th season as a head coach. He is 54-25 in his third season at the University of Miami.
The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Coral Gables – 78/72. Savannah, Ga.- 70/53.
Up Next
Miami returns to the BankUnited Center for a pair of non-conference matchups against La Salle on Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. and Loyola at 7 p.m. on Dec. 30.
Rion Brown Returns to Georgia
Senior guard Rion Brown returns to his home state of Georgia when the Canes play Savannah State. Brown grew up in Hinesville and played for Liberty County. His father, Tico, played at Georgia Tech and in the CBA, primarily for the Savannah Spirits.
Miami in National Stats
The Canes are ranked No. 47 nationally in turnovers per game, with just 10.7 per game. Miami has had less turnovers than its opponent in six games, and is forcing opponents into 11.6 turnovers per game.
Round Two with Savannah State
This fall the then-ranked No. 16/17 Miami football team defeated Savannah State 77-7 on Sept. 21, 2013.
Cardiac Canes
Miami has played four overtime games and three others that were decided in the final minutes. Miami is 1-3 in overtime this season and 2-1 in close games that ended in regulation: wins at Cal State Fullerton and vs. Arizona, and a loss to UCF.
It’s A Block Party
For the 10th-straight game, Donnavan Kirk recorded a block, extending the longest streak of his career. His 21 blocks this year put him in the top 65 in the country. His season-best was during the 2012-13 season, when he had 50 blocks at DePaul.
Reed Joins Starting Five
Since joining the starting five for the game against Cal State Fullerton, Davon Reed has improved his overall output. In the first six games, Reed averaged 7.8 points, hitting 10 total three pointers, in 25.5 minutes per game. In his last four outings, Reed has hit eight from long distance, averaging 10.8 points in 33.8 minutes per outing.
Rion Brown Rebounds
Senior Rion Brown, a 6-6 guard from Georgia, is averaging 6.3 rebounds, up from his 2.2 career average prior to the season. This season Brown has grabbed seven or more rebounds in six games. In his previous three seasons, he had only three games with 7+ boards. He pulled down seven once last year and had games with eight and seven as a rookie.
Year-Games-Rebounds-Average
Freshman-36-72-2.0
Sophomore-31-86-2.8
Junior-36-72-2.0
Senior-10-63-6.3
Miami is Building Champions
Coach L and staff recruit guys who have won big games to play for the Canes. Of the five available players recruited under Coach L, Manu Lecomte won his U-20 Brussels championship while both Davon Reed (twice) and Tonye Jekiri played in their respective high school state championship game. In high school, James Kelly played in the state final four, and in junior college played in the finals of the NJCAA Tournament. Donnavan Kirk played in a pair of quarterfinal games while in high school.
Of the four players who were on the team before the arrival of Coach L and company, Raphael Akpejiori won the state championship, Erik Swoope played in the final four, Rion Brown played in the elite eight twice and Garrius Adams played in the regional finals.
Diversity At UM Extends to Court
Five Miami players speak English as a second language. Raphael Akpejiori – Two African languages. Mike Fernandez – Spanish (Cuban). Tonye Jekiri – African. Manu Lecomte – French. Angel Rodriguez – Spanish (Puerto Rican). UM is the academic home of nearly 1,700 foreign students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, from more than 110 countries as diverse as Peru, Pakistan, and Poland. Miami’s diversity also is evident in its full-time faculty, which is nearly 36 percent minority, making UM one of the most diverse major private research universities.
Dream Begins in Dallas for larkin
Miami Hurricanes All-America point guard Shane Larkin has played in 12 games for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 3.6 points, 1.3 steals and 2.0 assists in 13.2 minutes, after missing a few games with a foot injury. Larkin was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after being selected with the No. 18 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks during the 2013 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. The Mavericks are coached by Rick Carlisle, who was recruited by and played under Larrañaga at Virginia from 1982-84.
Coaching Coordinators for Miami
Miami’s assistant coaching staff is set up in a coordinator system, with Eric Konkol as the offensive coordinator, Michael Huger manning the defense and Chris Caputo handling the scout for every opponent.
Larrañaga Added to UM Faculty
Coach Jim Larrañaga has been appointed as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences at the University of Miami. Due to his head coaching responsibilities, Larrañaga will be a guest lecturer at several different classes in the School of Education and Human Development throughout the semester.
