Eye on the U

UM women's tennis finishes Sweet 16 round at close to 1 a.m. EST -- but beats Northwestern to advance to NCAA quarterfinals

They did it again.

For the fifth consecutive season, the University of Miami women's tennis team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

The sixth-ranked Hurricanes, playing at the tournament site in Urbana, Ill., beat Northwestern 4-3. They didn't complete play until close to 1 a.m. Eastern time Saturday (match began Friday night).

The Canes get to rest on Saturday, before meeting No. 3 Texas A&M at 5 p.m. EST on Sunday.

If UM beats Texas A&M in the Elite Eight round, it would play in the national semifinals on Monday. If UM, in turn, won that match, it would advance to the national title round on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes finished as the national runner-up in 2006, but have never won a national title. 

 On Friday, it was  junior Melissa Bolivar who clinched the victory at the No. 6 spot by winning her final two games. She beat Nida Hamilton 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-4.

 Also winning for UM were Stephanie Wagner at the No. 1 spot and Kelsey Laurente at the No. 2 spot, as well as the crucial doubles victories by Albuquerque/Riobueno and Wagner/Brittany Dubins.

 "I didn't feel comfortable throughout the match,'' Bolivar said after the match, as reported by UM sports information. "I just fought through it. You have to win, even though you're not playing your best. That's a quality we have.''

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

UM issues statement regarding its drug testing policy, strength coach Jimmy Goins

"The University of Miami’s comprehensive drug testing policy, enacted in 1995, continues to evolve as the methods and reliability of testing have improved and as more drugs have been introduced into the world of competitive sports.

"The University’s program is monitored by a University committee, which includes medical professionals, and is overseen by a Medical Review Officer --c urrently, a former UM Miller School of Medicine physician -- who ensures the integrity and confidentiality of the drug testing program. An outside third-party firm administers the tests and provides results to the University.

"Since 2005, approximately 3,380 student-athletes have been tested more than 10,000 times by the University, in addition to drug tests administered by the NCAA. During that period, no student-athlete has tested positive for anabolic steroids. The University of Miami, like many of our peer institutions, the NCAA and many professional sports leagues, does not currently test for Human Growth Hormones.

"The University of Miami's drug testing policy is consistent with those at most NCAA Division I programs and provides more stringent penalties -- including game suspensions for first-time positive results -- than many of our peers.

"As stated last week, we have initiated an internal review involving an employee and will continue to monitor developments."

Mike James and Brandon McGee invited to NFL Combine in Indianapolis

Here's the University of Miami release we just received on Mike James and Brandon McGee. Both of these guys are good people and I really hope they do well and go on to NFL careers. Both should have at least a shot at making at team, no matter the avenue from which they do it.

2013 NFL Scouting Combine will be Feb. 23-26 on NFL Network

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes standouts Mike James and Brandon McGee have been invited to participate at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, which be held Feb. 23-26 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The four-day combine will be televised live on NFL Network.

James will participate with the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers on Sun., Feb. 24, while McGee will participate with the defensive backs on Tue., Feb. 26.

In January, James competed in both the Senior Bowl and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. He started all 12 games at running back for the Hurricanes in 2012, finishing as the team’s second-leading rusher with 642 yards and six TDs. The Haines City, Fla., product concluded his career with 1,386 rushing yards and 17 scores, while catching 67 passes for 585 yards and five TDs. He was one of 11 FBS players named to the 2012 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team in September.

McGee played in the 88th East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., in January. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was the 44th Miami Hurricane to play in the game and first UM defensive back since Al Blades in 2001. As a senior in 2012, he started all 12 games at defensive back and finished tied for sixth on the team with 54 tackles. Miami’s shut-down corner was a two-year starter and concluded his career with 24 consecutive starts.

 

Collins tells NBC-6 its still going to be Arkansas

Don't expect any more zaniness Thursday. South Plantation running back Alex Collins should sign a National Letter of Intent with Arkansas before noon a source told The Miami Herald.

As our Susan Miller Degnan detailed in her story, Collins' mom ran off without signing his NLOI Wednesday because she wanted him to stay home. But the former UM recruit told NBC-6 during its South Florida Recruiting Show tonight he's still going to Arkansas and nothing has changed.

He posted the following on Twitter around midnight.

Goodnight twitter fam, thanks 4 the love and support I've been getting from every1, I really appreciate it! I READ all. It will be over soon

— alexander collins (@Budda03) February 7, 2013

Here is Collins' interview with Joe Rose late Wednesday night.

One more for the road: Former UM Canes QB Jacory Harris is now an Eskimo! How cool is that?

 Just learned this Wednesday:

  Former UM Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris has signed a contract as an "import quarterback,'' according to a release by Edmonton.

   As per club policy, the team stated, the terms of the contracts are not released.

   Here's the info from "Esks'':

 Jacory Harris

Quarterback (import)

Born: May 12, 1990 – Miami, FL

College: Miami

Height: 6.04

Weight: 195

   "A three-year starter at the University of Miami, Harris racked up 8,826 passing yards and 75 touchdowns, including five rushing touchdowns, ranking him second in school history for yards and touchdowns. In 2011, he won the Offensive Most Outstanding Player Award. The year prior, he won the Community Service Man of the Year Award. In 2012, Harris attended mini rookie camp with the Miami Dolphins and briefly signed with the Philadelphia Eagles."

  "Edmonton acquired quarterback Mike Reilly from the British Columbia Lions last week,'' a former colleague emailed to us, "which could figure into Harris' chances of making the team."

    Regardless, congratulations Jacory! Bundle up.

   SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN