@CanesHoops vs. La Salle - Dec. 22

Dec. 22, 2013 | 3 p.m. 

Coral Gables, Fla. | BankUnited Center

TV: ESPN3
Radio: 560 WQAM | 90.5 WVUM | XM 191
Webcast: ESPN3 | WQAM.com | wvum.org

Miami: 6-5 (0-1 ACC)

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The Game
Miami returns to the BankUnited Center for a pair of non-conference matchups, facing La Salle on Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. and Loyola (MD) on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. in the BankUnited Center.

The Series
Miami is 5-9 in the all-time series against La Salle, which dates back to the 1950-51 season. The Canes are 5-3 against the Explorers at home and 0-6 on the road. Miami won the last matchup against La Salle, defeating the Explorers, 76-59, on January 2, 2013 at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables.

The Broadcasts
Catch the game on ESPN3 with Mike Levine and Drew Nicholas making the call. Also check out the game on 560 WQAM Radio with Joe Zagacki and on 90.5 WVUM, Miami’s student radio station.

The Coach
Head coach Jim Larrañaga has a 525-359 overall record in his 30th season as a head coach. He is 55-25 in his third season at the University of Miami.

The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Coral Gables – 82/71. Philadelphia – 69/49.

Up Next
Miami’s two-game homestand continues as the Canes face Loyola (MD) on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. in the BankUnited Center before opening the ACC slate with a pair of road games at Syracuse and North Carolina.

The Last Time Out vs. La Salle
Miami defeated La Salle 76-59 on Jan. 2, 2013 in Coral Gables. Shane Larkin and Durand Scott each scored 18 points to lead the Canes in scoring. Kenny Kadji added a 14-point, 11-rebound performance.

Dishing Out Dimes
Miami recorded 16 assists at Savannah State, the second-most of the season behind 21 against Texas Southern. The Canes started the game with six buckets from six assists.

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 11.5 turnovers per game.

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 11th-straight game, Donnavan Kirk recorded a block, extending the longest streak of his career. His 24 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 five outings, Reed has hit nine from long distance, averaging 10.2 points in 31.4 minutes per outing.

Rion Brown Rebounds
Senior Rion Brown, a 6-6 guard is averaging 6.0 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.

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.