By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Charlie Coles isn't quite sure how Miami was picked to help the defending national champion Maryland Terrapins open their new home court today.

"I think we volunteered," the RedHawks' coach said. "I don't know who else in our league would volunteer for this."

Miami, which lost its season opener at Purdue on Friday, will become the first team to play the Terrapins at the 17,100-seat Comcast Center. Tipoff for the ESPN2-televised game is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Maryland is moving from Cole Field House, which the Terrapins closed with 84 consecutive wins over non-conference opponents.

According to Maryland spokesman Kevin Messenger, the game was arranged by ESPN, which suggested a matchup with a Mid-American Conference team.

"The short of it is, obviously, we wanted TV, and the MAC has shown that it's deserving of TV games," Messenger said. "ESPN wanted to try to get Miami out here. It's a good game for us, and the MAC is an up-and-coming league. It's stronger than a lot of people think. It's great exposure for them."

Miami is becoming a favored housewarming guest. Two years ago, the RedHawks helped Xavier open Cintas Center and lost 68-54. The only highlight for Miami, which was missing its leading scorer, was that then-freshman Juby Johnson scored the first basket in the new arena.

"That game backfired on us," Coles said. "We didn't have Alex Shorts, and we didn't have our backup guard. We didn't play very well."

What did Coles learn from that experience?

"Not to get anybody hurt," he said. "That's the big thing. We didn't have a chance from the start."

Maryland lost its top four scorers from last season's NCAA championship team, but guard Steve Blake returns. The 6-foot-3 guard leads all active players in career assists, and he needs 249 to become only the fourth player in history to record 1,000.

The RedHawks, who had problems scoring last season, didn't get much out of their new motion offense in a 73-46 loss to the Boilermakers. Miami, which finished next to last in the MAC last season with a .422 field-goal percentage, shot .340 against Purdue, including 4-for-20 on 3-point attempts.

MU still is without 6-foot-11, 310-pound Nate VanderSluis (broken foot), and was outrebounded 40-23.

The RedHawks are hoping their performance was nothing more than a shakedown cruise for the new offense. Senior Bryan Reed believes Miami needs to ignore what should be a circus atmosphere at Comcast Center.

"We just have to stay in our offense and play as a group, not as individuals, and everything will take care of itself," Reed said. "I know the guys will be ready to play."

Miami at Maryland

Tipoff: 5 p.m. today, Comcast Center (17,100)

Records: Miami (0-1), Maryland (0-0)

Radio: WCKY-AM (1360), WMOH-AM (1450), WFMG-FM (101.3)

TV: ESPN2

Series: Maryland leads, 2-0

MARYLAND

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG*
Calvin McCall	Sr.	6-3	1.4
Ryan Randle	Sr.	6-9	3.8
Tahj Holden	Sr.	6-10	5.6
Drew Nicholas	Sr.	6-3	7.1
Steve Blake	Sr.	6-3	8.0

Coach: Gary Williams (274-143, 13th year; 481-271 overall)

MIAMI

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chet Mason	Jr.	6-3	8.0
Matt Jameson	Sr.	6-1	2.0
Juby Johnson	Jr.	6-5	17.0
Tim Schenke	S0.	6-6	6.0
Danny Horace	So.	6-5	3.0

Coach: Charlie Coles (107-78, 7th season; 199-162 overall)

* 2001-2002 season totals