FACTS & STATS: Site: BankUnited Center (7,000) -- Coral Gables, Florida. Television: Fox SportsNet. Home Record: Stetson 2-0, Miami 4-0. Away Record: Stetson 0-4, Miami 2-0. Neutral Record: Stetson 0-3, Miami 3-0. Conference Record: Stetson 0-0, Miami 0-0. Series Record: Miami leads, 44-33.

GAME NOTES: The undefeated Miami Hurricanes jumped into the top-25 this week and will put their new ranking on the line this evening, as they welcome the Stetson Hatters to the BankUnited Center for a non-conference clash. The Hurricanes are in the top-25 for the first time since 2002 and at 9-0 are off to their best start under fourth-year head coach Frank Haith. Miami has feasted on a rather easy early schedule, but wins of note include knocking off Providence in mid-November (64-58), taking out St. John's (66-47) to start December and most recently, besting Mississippi State (64-58) last time the team took the floor. The Hatters have not had similar success, as Derek Waugh's squad has won just two games in their first nine outings. Since getting past Bethune-Cookman on November 21st (62-51), the Hatters have dropped three straight games, including a 52-51 decision against the same Bethune-Cookman squad on December 3rd. Stetson is the most frequently faced opponent in Miami history. The Hurricanes own a 44-33 advantage all-time and have won four straight entering this contest. Stetson hasn't posted a win in this series since 1971.

Stetson has been idle for two weeks and it remains to be seen if the time off will benefit the team. The road has been especially hard on the Hatters, as all seven losses have come away from home. Offensively, the team has struggled greatly, averaging just 56.3 ppg. The Hatters are shooting a miserable .357 from the floor, including an equally bad .252 from behind the arc. The only two reliable scoring options are guards Garfield Blair and A.J. Smith. Neither players is shooting particularly well, but Blair is tops on the team in both scoring (11.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.0 rpg). Smith is second in scoring (10.2 ppg) and first in assists (22) and steals (11). Scoring was at a premium last time out, as the Hatters shot a respectable 50 percent from the floor, but were limited to just 51 points by Bethune-Cookman. Smith made the only legitimate offensive contribution, netting 14 points. The Hatters hurt themselves with 19 costly turnovers and were outscored at the free-throw line 15-6.

Jack McClinton hit five three-pointers and erupted for a season-high 29 points, leading the Hurricanes to their ninth win of the season, a six-point decision at Mississippi State. McClinton was red-hot, hitting 11-of-22 from the floor, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc. The offensive display by McClinton is certainly not the norm in Coral Gables this season, as the team relies more on stifling defensive play. The Hurricanes lead the ACC and rank 30th in the nation in scoring defense (58.4 ppg), a significant improvement from last year (allowed 72.9 ppg in 2006-07). The team does have some scoring depth, as McClinton is one of three players currently averaging double digits. He paces the team with 14.6 ppg, followed by fellow guard James Dews (11.1 ppg). The two are lethal from long range and have combined for 41 of the team's 67 three-pointers to date. Big man Anthony King provides balance in the paint, averaging 10.1 ppg, while leading the team in both rebounding (8.9 rpg) and blocked shots (17).

The Hurricanes won't blow teams away with their offensive firepower, but they enjoy getting physical at the defensive end and wear teams down. That is the likely scenario this evening, as the Hatters will struggle from the opening tip.

Predicted Outcome

Miami-Florida 76, Stetson 47.