Brown Returns to Georgia; Canes Face Tech

Jan. 18, 2014 | 2:05 p.m.
McCamish Pavilion | Atlanta, Ga.

TV: RSN – FOX Sports Florida (all affiliates)
Radio: 560 WQAM
Web: WQAM.com | Watch ESPN

Miami 9-7 (1-3)

Game Notes | Stats | Record Book | Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results 

The Game
The Hurricanes travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m., wrapping up Miami’s stretch of three of the first four ACC games on the road.

The Series
Miami is 10-7 in the all-time series against Georgia Tech, which dates back to the 1952-53 season. The Canes are 5-3 against the Yellow Jackets at home, 0-0 at neutral sites and 5-4 on the road. Georgia Tech won the last matchup against Miami, defeating the Canes, 71-69, on March 6, 2013 in Coral Gables. Miami is 3-1 against GT since Larrañaga’s arrival.

The Broadcasts
Catch the game on FOX Sports Florida with Wes Durham and Dan Bonner making the call. Watch the game regionally on: FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Florida, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, New England Sports Network, FOX Sports Arizona, FOX Sports Indiana Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports West, FOX Sports Wisconsin, FOX Sports Detroit, MSG Plus, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh, FOX Sports Ohio, ROOT Sports Northwest, ROOT Sports Rocky Mtn., ESPN3.
Also check out the game on 560 WQAM Radio with Joe Zagacki, the Voice of the Hurricanes.

The Coach
Head coach Jim Larrañaga has a 528-361 overall record in his 30th season as a head coach. He is 58-27 in his third season at the University of Miami.

The Polls
Miami has risen 50 spots in the Ken Pomeroy Ratings in less than a month, currently sitting at No. 72. GT is No. 118.

The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Coral Gables – 67/42. Atlanta, Ga. – 44/33.

Up Next
Miami returns to the BankUnited Center for a pair of nationally ranked matchups with No. 23/20 Duke (Jan. 22) and No. 2 Syracuse (Jan. 25).

Brown Returns to Georgia
Senior guard Rion Brown, from Hinesville, Ga., returns to his home state and to his father’s alma mater when the Canes face the Yellow Jackets. Tico Brown played basketball at Georgia Tech, in the Continental Basketball Association and overseas. When he retired, Tico was the CBA’s all-time leading scorer (8,538 points) and was voted to the All-Time CBA Team.

The Grind of the ACC Schedule
Four of Miami’s first six games of the new year are against teams listed in national polls. After playing at No. 2 Syracuse on Jan. 4, Miami traveled to RV/RV North Carolina on Jan. 8. Then a Jan. 15 home game against in-state rival Florida State is followed by a game at unranked Georgia Tech on Jan. 18. The Canes return home to face No. 23/20 Duke (Jan. 22) and No. 2 Syracuse (Jan. 25).

Stifling D by the Hurricanes
After playing man-to-man defense 95 percent of the time in his first 40 years of coaching, Jim Larrañaga’s team is now playing zone 95 percent of the game.
With the zone, Miami has held its last 10 opponents to less than 70 points, and only two teams this season have scored more than 70 points on the Canes (80-Georgia Southern, 71-George Washington). Prior to the game against Florida State, UM held five-straight opponents to fewer than 60 points.
In the last three conference games, Miami has held Syracuse, North Carolina and Florida State considerably below their offensive season averages.
Syracuse came into the game averaging 76.2 ppg, winning by +15.2 ppg, and shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three, and grabbing 35.5 rebounds per game. Against Miami, Syracuse scored 49 points, winning by five, while shooting 36.2 percent FG, 20.0 percent 3FG and grabbing 29 rebounds.
North Carolina entered the game against Miami averaging 79.1 ppg, shooting 46.7 percent FG and 32.7 percent 3FG. UM held UNC to 57 points, 30.8 percent FG and 23.8 percent 3FG.
Florida State averaged 74.3 ppg, shooting 47.6 percent FG and 35.2 percent 3FG. Against Miami, FSU scored 63 points. The Canes held the Seminoles to 32 percent FG shooting in the first half, but FSU shot 45 percent for the game.

Adams and Lecomte Lead Canes in Assists
In four ACC games, Garrius Adams has posted 17 assists to lead the Canes, 15 of which came in the last three outings.
Freshman Manu Lecomte is not far behind with 15 assists in ACC play, posting 13 in his last two games.