@CanesWBB to Host Syracuse at the BUC

@CanesWBB to Host Syracuse at the BUC

SyracuseatNo. 16/17 Miami

THE GAME
Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 • 7 p.m. ET
Coral Gables, Fla. • BankUnited Center
Game Notes: Miami • Syracuse
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THE POLLS
 
NR 16
RV 17
TEAM STATS
 
Record 15-6
(5-3 ACC)
18-3
(6-2 ACC)
Points 71.8 74.0
Points Allowed 58.5 58.0
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
  POINTS     REBOUNDS   
Peterson 14.2   Briana Day 7.7
Motley 16.4   Hayes 6.3
  ASSISTS     BLOCKS   
Peterson 5.5   Briana Day 1.9
Thomas 3.6   Hof 1.0
  3FG     STEALS  
Butler 3.3   Fondren 2.8
Thomas 1.9   Thomas 1.8

The Game
Miami, ranked No. 16 in The Associated Press Poll and No. 17 the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, is set to meet Syracuse Monday at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables. Tickets are $5, with youth 12-and-under admitted free of charge.

The Series
The Hurricanes have an 18-7 edge over the Orange in the all-time series, including a 10-3 record in home games. In the teams’ most recent meeting, Miami went on the road and earned an 85-71 victory over No. 23/22 Syracuse on Feb. 12, 2015.

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 and Dawn Staley Award Mid-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 277-182, including 201-137 at Miami.

The Opponent
The Orange is 15-6 (5-3 ACC) on the season with five of its six losses against nationally-ranked teams. Junior guard Alexis Peterson leads a trio of Syracuse players averaging double-digit points per game at 14.2 points an outing, plus a team-high 5.5 assists. Senior guard Brianna Butler posts 13.4 points per game and junior center Briana Day adds 10.4 points to go along with a team-high 7.7 rebounds.

Last Time Out
The Hurricanes earned their sixth road victory in seven tries this season with a 57-45 win at Virginia Tech. Miami topped the Hokies Thursday at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va., behind a game-high 17 points from Motley, playing in her home state. Thomas added 14 points and a season-high seven rebounds in the victory. Miami had a 44-35 advantage in rebounding and outscored the Hokies 17-5 down the stretch after the game was even at 40.

Up Next
Miami hits the road to take on Boston College at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Thursday at 7 p.m.

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. There will be a halftime performance by UJHOOM, a competitive Bollywood-Fusion dance team at Miami, too.

In addition, there will be a Female Career in Sports Panel before the game in the Hurricane 100 Room. The event will begin at 6:10 p.m., with check-in opening at 5:45 p.m. Entry is free for University of Miami students with their Cane Cards and is $10 for the public.