Game Day: Miami vs. Eastern Kentucky -Dec. 19
| No. 18/19 Miami vs. Eastern Kentucky | |
| When | Dec. 19, 2014 |
| Where | BankUnited Center | Coral Gables, Fla. |
| Tickets | CanesTix.com |
| Television | ESPN3 |
| Radio | 560 WQAM | WVUM 90.5 | Sirius 136 | XM 193 |
| Live Stats | HurricaneSports.com |
| Notes | Miami | Eastern Kentucky |
| Social Media | Twitter: @CanesHoops | Facebook: CanesHoops | Instagram: CanesHoops |
| About the Canes | Renewed Hoops | Homecoming: The Angel Rodriguez Story |
| Attending a Game | Visit Coral Gables | Coral Gables Weather | Directions | Parking Info |
The Game
No. 18/19 Miami hosts Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the BankUnited Center, in the fifth of five-straight home games for the Hurricanes.
The Series
Miami is 2-1 in the all-time series against Eastern Kentucky, which dates back to the 1967-68 season. The Canes are 2-0 against the Colonels at home and 0-1 at neutral sites. Miami won the last matchup with Eastern Kentucky, defeating the Colonels, 86-64, on Nov. 24, 1997 in Coral Gables.
The Broadcasts
Catch the game on ESPN3 with Kevin Corke and Drew Nicholas making the call. Also check out the game on 560 WQAM Radio with Joe Zagacki, the Voice of the Hurricanes, as well as WVUM 90.5 radio, Miami’s student station.
The Coach
Head coach Jim Larrañaga has a 545-371 overall record in his 31st season as a head coach. He is 75-37 in his third season at the University of Miami.
The Polls (as of Dec. 18)
AP: Miami -18; EKU – None USA TODAY: Miami – 19; EKU – None
KenPom.com: Miami – 23; EKU – 163 NCAA RPI: Miami – 36; EKU – 170
The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Coral Gables – 76/65; Richmond, Ky. – 41/31.
Coach L Approaching win No. 550
Coach Jim Larrañaga is five wins away from 550 career victories and three wins away from 300 conference victories. He started the 2014-15 season with a 536-370 overall and 297-185 conference record in 30 years as a head coach.
UM Shooting Nearly 50 Percent
Miami is shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three while holding opponents to 38.7 percent and 29.2 percent, respectively.
The Canes have shot better than 50 percent from the field in five of their last seven games, and have shot better than 43.9 percent in every game except vs. Illinois (37.9%) and Green Bay (32.8%).
Taking Each Game Half By Half
Through nine games, Miami has shot 50 percent or better from the field in eight halves and 50 percent or better from three in seven halves.
Lecomte On Fire
Sophomore guard Manu Lecomte is hitting 55.3 percent (42-76) from the field, 51.1 percent (24-47) from long range and 86.7 percent (13-15) at the line in his sophomore season with the Canes. After averaging 7.7 points per game as a rookie, Lecomte has improved to 12.1 ppg this year, scoring in double digits in eight of 10 games. Last year Lecomte scored in double digits 11 times in 33 games played.
Rodriguez on Robertson & Cousy Award Watch Lists
Junior PG Angel Rodriguez is one of 36 players listed on the watch list for the 2015 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award and was one of 24 players named to the early-season watch list for the 2014-15 Oscar Robertson Trophy for national player of the year, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced Nov. 24.
Freshmen Playing with Confidence
Miami’s four scholarship freshmen are playing with confidence as Deandre Burnett is the team’s fourth-leading scorer (10.8 ppg) while coming off the bench. With Omar Sherman (6.4), James Palmer (5.3) and Ja’Quan Newton (3.4) add depth to the Canes’ offensive attack. Sherman leads the freshmen with his 46.2 percent shooting, followed by Palmer (45.7%), Newton (43.5%) and Burnett (39.7%).
