FACTS & STATS: Site: BankUnited Center (7,000) -- Coral Gables, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: Florida Southern 0-0, Miami 0-0. Away Record: Florida Southern 0-0, Miami 0-0. Neutral Record: Florida Southern 3-0, Miami 0-0. Conference Record: Florida Southern 0-0, Miami 0-0. Series Record: Miami- Florida leads, 59-8.

GAME NOTES: The 17th-ranked Miami-Florida Hurricanes will play host to the Florida Southern Moccasins on Saturday night in Coral Gables.

While this game represents the season opener for Miami, Florida Southern already has three games, and three victories, under its belt. The team won three games in a three-night span to capture the championship of the Disney Classic at Lake Buena Vista. Clearly, however, facing Miami represents a major leap in competition level over the likes of Lees-McRae and Montevallo.

Frank Haith's Hurricanes excelled overall last year, winning 23 games, but an 8-8 finish in ACC play left the team wanting more. Still, the 'Canes did go to the postseason for the third time in Haith's four seasons at the helm, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2007-08. This year's team is loaded with returning talent, so the likes of Duke and North Carolina will have to take Miami very seriously.

Miami owns a commanding 59-8 series advantage over Florida Southern, including a 104-61 romp by the Hurricanes in last season's meeting.

Rob Eldridge was the leading scorer for Florida Southern in all three games at the Disney Classic. He tallied 16 points in the opener, 18 points in the second contest and 19 points in the title game. Eldridge, who is averaging 17.7 ppg, is shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. John Thompson is netting 10.7 ppg to go along with 8.7 rpg. Strong defense was clearly key to the team's success at the season-opening tournament, as Florida Southern held is three foes to an average of 67.3 ppg on 37.1 percent shooting from the field. The Moccasins also outrebounded the squads by seven boards per contest.

The player to watch for Miami is Jack McClinton, as the 6-1 veteran is one of the ACC's top scorers. He is coming off a season in which he netted 17.7 ppg, thanks in large part to his 42.7 percent shooting from behind the arc. McClinton may be the best guard in the ACC, and when he gets hot he can carry the Hurricanes to victory against any team in the league. Backcourt mate James Dews (10.3 ppg) is also back in the mix and has the ability to drain the three-pointer as well. Forwards Brian Asbury (8.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Dwayne Collins (8.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) provide balance up front and both should see their numbers improve. The Hurricanes looked sharp in two preseason games, especially at the defensive end.

Expect Miami to crush Florida Southern just as it did a year ago. The Hurricanes have plenty of talent in the fold, so McClinton does not have to do it all.

Predicted Outcome

Miami-Florida 93, Florida Southern 61