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McClinton back when Miami visits Kentucky

Dec 6, 2008 - 7:48 AM No. 22 Miami FL (4-2) at Kentucky (5-2) 5:30 p.m. EST

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Jack McClinton did little to help Miami during its last game.

After an ugly situation during a loss, McClinton and 22nd-ranked Miami look to bounce back on Saturday when they visit Kentucky.

McClinton, the Hurricanes' leading scorer, was not around to see the end of Miami's 73-68 setback against Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge contest on Tuesday after he was ejecting for taking an open-handed swing at an opponent.

McClinton was tossed from the game with Miami leading, 19-7, with 10:12 left in the first half after the officials reviewed a play in which the senior guard swung at freshman guard Anthony Crater. Moments earlier, McClinton got the ball on the left wing before Crater forced him to pass it after bumping him while defending closely.

After McClinton passed the ball to the top of the key, he took a swipe at Crater - apparently poking him in the eye - right in front of Ohio State coach Thad Motta.

With his defender dazed, McClinton then sank his fourth 3-pointer from the wing, giving Miami the 12-point lead.

With Motta protesting the lack of a call, the officiating crew went to the scorer's table after the basket to review the play and met with both coaches before ejecting McClinton for a

flagrant foul.

The flagrant foul was ruled a dead-ball foul and not a fighting foul, preventing McClinton from facing any future suspension for the act.

The Hurricanes will need McClinton, who is averaging 15.2 points per game, against Kentucky.

Following back-to-back losses to open the season, the Wildcats have rebounded with five straight wins, including a 103-61 drubbing of Lamar on Wednesday.