Home games versus Duke, Wake Forest, and Minnesota highlight Hurricanes’ slate

Sixth-year head coach Frank Haith has announced the 2009-10 schedule for the University of Miami men’s basketball program, and it includes up to 15 games against 2009 postseason teams and at least 18 televised contests.

At least ten of those games will be broadcast nationally, including home contests versus Duke (February 17, ESPN) and Florida State (March 6, ESPN2), and a road game at Wake Forest (February 2, ESPN).

This season’s 16-game Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) slate includes ten games versus 2009 NCAA Tournament participants, including defending national champions North Carolina on the road, nine games against teams that finished in the top half of the ACC standings last season, and home and away series with Wake Forest, Florida State, Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Virginia.

“Competing in the best conference in America guarantees that you will have both an exciting and challenging schedule,” says Haith, who has guided the Hurricanes to four postseason appearances in five years at the helm. “Our schedule is very competitive and will be a test for our team, which has a young core. Our staff is excited and optimistic about the talent we have assembled, and we are looking forward to getting back on the court and continuing to build this Miami basketball program.”

Sixteen of Miami’s 30 regular-season contests will be at home at the BankUnited Center, including eight games versus conference opponents. UM’s home lineup is highlighted by a nationally televised Big Ten/ACC Challenge showdown versus Minnesota on Wednesday, December 2, its ACC home opener against Wake Forest on Saturday, January 9, and a home contest versus Duke on Wednesday, February 17.

The Hurricanes finished 19-13 overall last season and 7-9 in the ACC to tie for seventh place, advancing to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament. Miami returns two of its top-three leading scorers, as well as a pair of starters, including senior forward Dwayne Collins, the team’s top rebounder and second-leading scorer a season ago.

In addition, Miami welcomes its top-25 signing class of Antoine Allen and ESPNU 100 picks Durand Scott, Garrius Adams, and Donnavan Kirk, while sophomore point guard Malcolm Grant, a transfer from Villanova, and redshirt freshman center Reggie Johnson look to see their first action on the hardwood for UM.

Tickets are now available through the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES. Visit www.hurricanesports.com for the complete schedule.