@CanesWBB Hits the Road to Face Virginia Tech
No. 17/17 Miamiat
Virginia Tech
| THE GAME |
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| Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 • 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Blacksburg, Va. • Cassell Coliseum |
| Game Notes: Miami • Virginia Tech |
| THE BROADCAST | ||||||
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| Andrew Allegretta Mack McCarthy Watch Online |
Matt Walter Listen Online |
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| Live Stats | ||||||
| Social Media: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram | ||||||
| THE POLLS | ||
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| 17 | NR | |
| 17 | RV | |
| TEAM STATS | ||
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| Record | 17-3 (5-2 ACC) |
14-5 (2-4 ACC) |
| Points | 74.8 | 61.3 |
| Points Allowed | 58.7 | 50.1 |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | |||||
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Panousis | 10.6 | Magarity | 5.7 | ||
| Motley | 16.4 | Hayes | 6.3 | |||
| ASSISTS | BLOCKS | |||||
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Hicks | 3.9 | Powell | 1.4 | ||
| Thomas | 3.6 | Hof | 1.1 | |||
| 3FG | STEALS | |||||
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Young | 2.7 | Hicks | 2.8 | ||
| Thomas | 1.9 | Thomas | 1.9 | |||
The Game
The Hurricanes, ranked No. 17 in both The Associated Press Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, face Virginia Tech Thursday night in Blacksburg, Va. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum.
The Series
Miami holds a 14-6 lead in the all-time series against the Hokies and has won eight-straight matchups. The Hurricanes’ .700 winning percentage versus Virginia Tech is its second-best against any ACC team.
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 Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List 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 five new players in the fold this season in guard Laura Cornelius, forward/center Emese Hof, forward/center Zada Williams, guard/forward Shaneese Bailey and guard Neydja Petithomme. Bailey and Petithomme are sitting out this season as transfers from Florida Atlantic and Auburn, respectively.
The Coach
Katie Meier, in her 11th 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 58 victories in ACC play since the start of the 2010-11 season, 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 276-182, including 200-137 at Miami.
The Opponent
The Hokies enter the game at 14-5 on the season with a 2-4 mark in ACC play. Earlier this season, on Dec. 7, 2015, Virginia Tech won 57-43 at eighth-ranked Tennessee. The team features five players averaging between eight and 11 points per game, with junior guard Vanessa Panousis leading the way at 10.6 points per outing. Senior forward Hannah Young ranks second at 10.3 points per game.
Last Time Out
Miami fell 69-58 to No. 14/13 Florida State Sunday at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The game was tied at halftime, but the Seminoles used a strong second half to earn the victory. Motley led all scorers with 20 points and Hayes added 18 to go along with a team-high seven rebounds and a career-high-tying three steals.
Up Next
The Hurricanes return home to face Syracuse Feb. 1 in their lone Monday game in ACC play. The game is set for 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
