August 05, 2011 — Coral Gables — The University of Miami will take on Florida Atlantic in the 2011 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on December 17 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
The Hurricanes and Owls will meet for the 22nd time in program history in the annual doubleheader. Miami, making its 17th appearance in the 18th annual Classic, leads the all-time series versus FAU, 20-1. The last meeting between the two teams was an 85-62 Miami win on March 16, 2011 in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament in Coral Gables.
Miami and FAU are scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a matchup between Florida and Texas A&M.
Under the guidance of new Miami head coach Jim Larranaga, the Hurricanes return 86 percent of their scoring, 93 percent of their assists, and 88 percent of their rebounding with a veteran squad that went 21-15 last season and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals.
Miami returns leading scorer Malcolm Grant, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference Third Team selection in 2011, and junior Durand Scott, who averaged 13.6 points per game last season.
FAU finished 21-11 last season ago and won the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title. The Owls return four starters under fourth-year head coach Mike Jarvis.
Tickets will be available through the Hurricane Ticket Office (HurricaneSports.com/1-800-GO-CANES) on a date to be announced.
