FIU
at
#23/21 Miami
| THE GAME |
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| Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 • 2 p.m. ET |
| Coral Gables, Fla. • BankUnited Center |
| Game Notes: Miami |
| Tickets • Parking & Directions |
| Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms, 82°F • Visiting Coral Gables |
| THE BROADCAST | |
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Ted Sarandis |
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Live Stats |
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| Social Media: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram | |
| THE POLLS | ||
|---|---|---|
| NR | 23 | |
| NR | 21 | |
| TEAM STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-6 (0-0 CUSA) |
11-1 (0-0 ACC) |
| Points | 65.4 | 76.5 |
| Points Allowed | 77.2 | 58.7 |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | |||||
| Hegedus | 15.1 | Feagin | 6.3 | |||
| Motley | 16.9 | Hayes | 6.8 | |||
| ASSISTS | BLOCKS | |||||
| Hudson | 3.1 | Hegedus | 0.9 | |||
| Woods | 3.7 | Hof | 1.2 | |||
| 3FG | STEALS | |||||
| Alvarado | .463 | Alvarado | 3.0 | |||
| Cornelius | .400 | Thomas | 2.1 | |||
The Game
The Hurricanes, ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll and No. 21 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, are set to finish nonconference play against FIU Tuesday afternoon. The game is set for 2 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. Tickets are $5, with youth 12-and-under admitted free of charge.
The Series
The Panthers are Miami’s most common opponent historically, as the teams have met 55 times. The Hurricanes have a 33-22 edge in the all-time series, with the 33 victories their most against any foe. The last meeting came on Nov. 25, 2008 when Miami earned a 66-49 win on the road.
The Team
Eight Hurricanes are back from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. That group includes a trio of starters who are now the team captains: junior guard Adrienne Motley, a Preseason All-ACC selection, junior guard Jessica Thomas and redshirt senior guard Michelle Woods.
One of the eight returnees is redshirt junior forward Keyona Hayes, who missed last season due to an ankle injury after leading the team in rebounding in 2013-14. The Hurricanes also have a quartet of sophomores in forward/center Erykah Davenport, guard Nigia Greene (redshirt sophomore), forward Keyanna Harris and forward Khaila Prather.
Additionally, Miami has four new players in the fold this season in guard Laura Cornelius, forward/center Emese Hof, forward/center Zada Williams and guard/forward Shaneese Bailey, who will sit out the season as a transfer from Florida Atlantic.
The Coach
Katie Meier, in her eleventh season in Coral Gables, Fla., has led Miami to great heights during her tenure. Since 2009-10, the Wheaton, Ill. native has directed the program to its greatest six-year stretch ever, making the postseason in all six years, with five 20-plus win seasons and four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Meier has guided Miami to 53 victories in ACC play over the past five seasons, the second-most of any team in the conference. The 2010-11 AP National Coach of the Year is in her 15th season as a head coach, spending the first four at Charlotte, and owns a career record of 270-180, including 194-135 at Miami.
The Opponent
FIU, under the direction of first-year head coach Marlin Chinn, is 2-6 so far in 2015-16. The Panthers have three players averaging over a dozen points per game, with junior guard/forward Janka Hegedus pacing the group at 15.1 points per outing. FIU posted a 3-26 (0-18 C-USA) mark last season and was picked No. 13 in the C-USA preseason poll this year.
Last Time Out
Miami stormed back from a double-digit deficit on Sunday night, downing Indiana 89-75 in the Florida Sunshine Classic at Warden Arena on the campus of Rollins College. Hof logged a career-high 26 points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds for her second-career double-double. The Utrecht, Netherlands native shot 10-of-13 from the floor and 6-of-7 at the free throw line.
Motley posted 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Thomas added 14 and Cornelius chipped in with 12 on a career-high four made 3-pointers. Hayes also scored in double figures, finishing with 10 points in the victory. Miami outscored the Hoosiers 44-32 in the paint and had a 44-31 edge in rebounding.
Up Next
The Hurricanes will begin ACC play Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. when they host NC State at the BankUnited Center.
Promotions
As is the case for all women’s basketball games at the BankUnited Center this season, youth 12-and-under will receive free admission. Team posters, schedule cards and new rules infographics will be available at the marketing table by the main entrance.
