'Roos Begin Second Round Of League Play At Southern Utah On Saturday
1/29/2010 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
THE SETTING
The UMKC men's basketball team will begin the second round of Summit League play with a key three-game road trip beginning with a Saturday night match-up at Southern Utah. The 'Roos and Thunderbirds will meet at Centrum Arena in Cedar City, Utah, beginning at 8:30 p.m. (CT).
ON THE AIR
Radio: 1140/1160 AM (Steven Davis - p-b-p)
Television: None
Web: Roo Vision (UMKCKangaroos.com)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Roos dropped their second straight close decision, falling 73-69 to North Dakota State on Tuesday night at the Swinney Recreation Center. UMKC led by 12 points with 14:44 remaining, but the Bison then caught fire, making six straight three-point attempts to turn their deficit into a three-point lead. NDSU then maintained the advantage for the remainder of the night to hand the 'Roos their fifth loss in six games. Trey McKinney-Jones led a group of three UMKC players in double digits, finishing with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
THE COACHES
Head Coach Matt Brown is in his third season with the UMKC men's basketball program, where he has compiled an 27-56 overall record and has coached three players to all-Summit League recognition. Former forward Dane Brumagin was a second team all-league honoree and Reggie Hamilton was an all-newcomer team selection in 2007-08, while Brumagin earned an honorable mention all-league nod in 2008-09. Last season, Brown guided the 'Roos to a pair of wins over Missouri Valley Conference foes Wichita State and Bradley. It was just the third time in school history for the team to beat two MVC teams in the same season.
Roger Reid is in his third season as the head coach of the Southern Utah men's basketball program, where he has posted a 27-54 overall record. A 36-year coaching veteran, Reid has coached five NCAA Tournament and one National Invitational Tournament squads.
UMKC-SUU - FIRST MEETING - JAN. 2, 2010
The Kangaroos picked up their second league victory of the season by beating Southern Utah, 53-50, on Jan. 2 at Municipal Auditorium. Junior Bakari Lewis propelled UMKC to the victory, as the guard drained a three-pointer from the top of the key with 17 seconds remaining to give his squad the win. Overall three 'Roo players - Jay Couisnard, Spencer Johnson and LaTreze Mushatt - finished with 11 points to pace the squad in scoring. SUU guard Davis Baker, meanwhile, was the only T-Bird in double figures, finishing with 20 points, all of which came in the second half.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN UTAH
The Thunderbirds bring a five-game losing streak into Saturday's contest that has dropped their record to 5-15 overall and 1-8 in league play. SUU's last victory came at home over North Dakota State on Jan. 7 by the score of 85-79.
Guard Davis Baker is the only Thunderbird player in double digits this season coming in at 17.1 points per game, which ranks fourth in Summit League play. Baker is shooting .471 from the floor and .843 from the charity stripe and is also tied for the team-lead with 5.0 rebound per game. Three SUU players average at least 7.9 points a contest with guard Ryan Brimley scoring 9.6 points with 36 three pointers.
SUU is shooting .437 from the floor and .346 from three-point land en route to scoring 64.6 points per game. The T-Birds are also +1.8 on the boards, but they average nearly 18.5 turnovers a night.
SUU GAME NOTES
• After staring the year 3-2, Southern Utah has dropped 13-of-15 contests with its only wins coming over UC Riverside (76-65) and North Dakota State (85-79) at Centrum Arena. UMKC contributed to the slide, beating the T-Birds, 53-50, in Kansas City on Jan. 2.
• Four of SUU's five victories on the year have come on its home court at Centrum Arena.
• Southern Utah has won the last seven games in the series over UMKC at home by an average margin of 11 points. Four of the games, however, were decided by seven points or less.
THE SERIES
Saturday's meeting will be the 30th in the all-time series between UMKC and SUU with the Thunderbirds holding the 16-13 advantage. Southern Utah is 12-1 in the series in games played in Cedar City with UMKC's lone victory coming in overtime (72-71) during the 2002 season.
'ROO TIDBITS
• Jay Couisnard has played 116-of-120 possible minutes over the past three games. This includes playing all 40 minutes for the second time this season in the win over WIU.
• UMKC went on a season-high 16-0 run in the first half against NDSU and limited the Bison without a field goal for a 10-minute stretch.
• The 'Roos committed 18 turnovers in the four-point loss to NDSU, which were the most for the squad since committing 25 miscues in the loss at Missouri.
• Freshman Kirk Korver reached double figures for the fourth time this season, finishing with 11 points on 2-of-4 shooting from long range against NDSU. He also went 5-of-5 from the free throw line in the four-point loss.
• Freshman Fred Chatmon provided the 'Roos with “energy minutes” against NDSU, scoring four points in four minutes. The forward scored on a baby hook and a put back dunk that opened UMKC's 16-0 run.
• UMKC limited Western Illinois to a .373 field goal percentage on Jan. 21. The mark was the lowest shooting percentage for a Division I opponent this season.
• Sophomore Trey McKinney-Jones is fourth in The Summit League in field goal percentage at .537 (79-147). He is one of just four guards among the top-10 in the category.
• UMKC has either won or been even on the boards in each of the last four games. The 'Roos are 6-2 this season when they out rebound their opponents.
• UMKC has committed fewer than 10 turnovers in four contests on the season.
• The X factor? UMKC is 7-3 this season when junior Spencer Johnson reaches double figures.
• UMKC is leading the league in turnover margin (+2.2). The squad is also fourth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.0), fifth in steals (6.5) and fifth in assists (12.4) per game.
• With his next field goal, sophomore LaTreze Mushatt will join Spencer Johnson as a member of the 500-point club. The forward is one of 31 'Roos to reach the 500-point milestone.
• Junior Spencer Johnson has moved into the top-15 in UMKC history in career rebounding, ranking 13th with 366 caroms. He also ranks 27th in the record books in career scoring with 573 points.
• Freshman Kirk Korver has made two or more three pointers in six games on the season. The 'Roos are 3-3 in such contests.
• Foul trouble has been consistently plaguing junior Jay Couisnard, as the forward has had four or more fouls in 11 games with four disqualifications.
• The 'Roos are 6-1 on the year when attempting more free throws than its opposition with its lone loss coming at IPFW on Jan. 16.
• Junior Bakari Lewis has four or more assists in five of the last seven games to give him a team-high 51 assists on the year.
• The 'Roos are shooting .448 from the floor and .363 from long range at home and .426 from the field and .325 from long range on the road.
• In five games at Municipal, UMKC is shooting .407 from the floor, .350 from long range and .707 from the charity stripe. In contrast, the opposition is shooting .435 from the field, .321 from three-point land and .725 from the free throw stripe.
• Junior Spencer Johnson has made 43 consecutive starts and has started 50 of the last 51 contests.
• UMKC's reserves average 18.3 points per game.
OH SO CLOSE
During the current streak where the 'Roos have dropped five-of-six games, four of the games have been decided by five points or less. The average margin of defeat in the five defeats is 6.6 points.
UMKC is averaging 67.5 points, while surrendering 72.3 points over the six games. The biggest disparity has come at the free throw line, where the opposition is 108-146 (.740) compared to the 'Roos being just 64-89 (.719).
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Over the last two games, it has been a tale of two halves for the 'Roos. The squad led at the half (seven points against IUPUI and 12 against NDSU) before ultimately falling short in the end.
UMKC averaged 37 points in the first half, while shooting .491 from the floor, while giving up just 27.5 points after limiting its opposition to .363 shooting.
In half two, however, the tide turned on the 'Roos. UMKC's scoring average dipped to 29.5 points on .386 shooting, while the opponents averages climb to 41.5 points courtesy of a blistering .605 field goal percentage.
KNOCKIN' 'EM DOWN FROM LONG RANGE
Over the past five games, UMKC has made a total of 40 three-pointers or 8.0 per game. At Oakland on Jan. 14, the 'Roos made 10 long balls, which were the most for the squad in more than a calendar year, as it hadn't made 10 three pointers since Dec. 31, 2008, at IUPUI.
The 'Roos have made eight or more long balls in three of the last five games to give them a total of six games with eight or more treys this season. The squad is 4-2 in such contests.
'ROOS TALLY NINTH WIN; THIRD LEAGUE VICTORY
UMKC secured its ninth victory of the season by beating Western Illinois on Jan. 21. The victory was the team's third Summit League win on the year, which matches last season's total. The 'Roos have already surpassed last season's overall win (7) and road win totals (3).
COOZY NOTCHES THIRD 20-POINT GAME
Junior Jay Couisnard notched his third 20-point game of the season when he finished with 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting in the tight one point loss to IUPUI on Jan. 23. The forward also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, which tied a career-high. Additionally, the 10 field goals were a career-best for the junior and a team-high for the 'Roos this season.
Couisnard has been UMKC's most consistent scorer, as he's reached double figures in a team-best 16 games. The forward has been the team's leading scorer in 10 games and he's surpassed the 15-point mark in seven contests. His career-best performance came in his return to his hometown of Houston, when he netted 24 points in the win at Houston Baptist.
On the year, Couisnard is pacing the team and ranks 13th in The Summit League with a 13.3 points per game average, while shooting .415 from the floor and .370 from long range. He also leads the team in free throw makes (65) and attempts (100).
JUST TREY-MENDOUS
Sophomore guard Trey McKinney-Jones has shot 70 percent or better from the floor in five games and 50 percent or better in 13 contests. The guard made 8-of-9 shots in the win at Centenary on Dec. 5 as the 88.9 percentage is the high mark for a 'Roo player this season. Overall, McKinney-Jones ranks fourth in the league with a .537 shooting clip, and he has the highest field goal percentage among guards in the league.
ANOTHER D-D FOR SPENCER
Junior Spencer Johnson tallied his second double-double when he finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Western Illinois Jan. 21. The performance was Johnson's second double-double of the season and the seventh of his career.
The forward's first double-double came at Oakland on Jan. 14, when he finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. In the contest, he connected on 4-of-6 three-point attempts.
Johnson, who has scored in double digits in 10 games, is fourth on the team with a 9.3 scoring average, while shooting .433 from the floor and .368 from long range, while pacing the squad with 20 long balls. He also is tops on the team in rebounding, pulling in 5.7 caroms per game and he's led the squad on the boards in eight contests.
BALANCED SCORING
The 'Roos have five players averaging at least 8.7 points per game this season and a total of three players in double figures. UMKC is 5-1 on the year when it has four or more players finish in double digits. The team's lone loss came at home vs. South Dakota State on Jan. 7.
THE 'ROOS ARE...
• 7-3 when leading at the half.
• 6-1 when scoring at least 70 points.
• 6-2 when out rebounding their opponent.
• 5-0 when opponent scores fewer than 60 points.
TMJ STRONG IN DECEMBER
Sophomore Trey McKinney-Jones enjoyed a breakout month in December for the 'Roos. The guard reached double digits in 6-of-8 games in the month, and he established two career highs. Overall, the Wisconsin native averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds on .563 shooting and a .500 clip from long range. He also made 28-of-33 free throws during the eight contests.
On the year, McKinney-Jones has scored in double figures in 12 games and he's averaging 11,2 points, which is second best on the team, with a .537 field goal percentage. The guard has a team-high eight games with 15 or more points and he's shot better than 70 percent from the floor in six contests.
The UMKC men's basketball team will begin the second round of Summit League play with a key three-game road trip beginning with a Saturday night match-up at Southern Utah. The 'Roos and Thunderbirds will meet at Centrum Arena in Cedar City, Utah, beginning at 8:30 p.m. (CT).
ON THE AIR
Radio: 1140/1160 AM (Steven Davis - p-b-p)
Television: None
Web: Roo Vision (UMKCKangaroos.com)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Roos dropped their second straight close decision, falling 73-69 to North Dakota State on Tuesday night at the Swinney Recreation Center. UMKC led by 12 points with 14:44 remaining, but the Bison then caught fire, making six straight three-point attempts to turn their deficit into a three-point lead. NDSU then maintained the advantage for the remainder of the night to hand the 'Roos their fifth loss in six games. Trey McKinney-Jones led a group of three UMKC players in double digits, finishing with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
THE COACHES
Head Coach Matt Brown is in his third season with the UMKC men's basketball program, where he has compiled an 27-56 overall record and has coached three players to all-Summit League recognition. Former forward Dane Brumagin was a second team all-league honoree and Reggie Hamilton was an all-newcomer team selection in 2007-08, while Brumagin earned an honorable mention all-league nod in 2008-09. Last season, Brown guided the 'Roos to a pair of wins over Missouri Valley Conference foes Wichita State and Bradley. It was just the third time in school history for the team to beat two MVC teams in the same season.
Roger Reid is in his third season as the head coach of the Southern Utah men's basketball program, where he has posted a 27-54 overall record. A 36-year coaching veteran, Reid has coached five NCAA Tournament and one National Invitational Tournament squads.
UMKC-SUU - FIRST MEETING - JAN. 2, 2010
The Kangaroos picked up their second league victory of the season by beating Southern Utah, 53-50, on Jan. 2 at Municipal Auditorium. Junior Bakari Lewis propelled UMKC to the victory, as the guard drained a three-pointer from the top of the key with 17 seconds remaining to give his squad the win. Overall three 'Roo players - Jay Couisnard, Spencer Johnson and LaTreze Mushatt - finished with 11 points to pace the squad in scoring. SUU guard Davis Baker, meanwhile, was the only T-Bird in double figures, finishing with 20 points, all of which came in the second half.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN UTAH
The Thunderbirds bring a five-game losing streak into Saturday's contest that has dropped their record to 5-15 overall and 1-8 in league play. SUU's last victory came at home over North Dakota State on Jan. 7 by the score of 85-79.
Guard Davis Baker is the only Thunderbird player in double digits this season coming in at 17.1 points per game, which ranks fourth in Summit League play. Baker is shooting .471 from the floor and .843 from the charity stripe and is also tied for the team-lead with 5.0 rebound per game. Three SUU players average at least 7.9 points a contest with guard Ryan Brimley scoring 9.6 points with 36 three pointers.
SUU is shooting .437 from the floor and .346 from three-point land en route to scoring 64.6 points per game. The T-Birds are also +1.8 on the boards, but they average nearly 18.5 turnovers a night.
SUU GAME NOTES
• After staring the year 3-2, Southern Utah has dropped 13-of-15 contests with its only wins coming over UC Riverside (76-65) and North Dakota State (85-79) at Centrum Arena. UMKC contributed to the slide, beating the T-Birds, 53-50, in Kansas City on Jan. 2.
• Four of SUU's five victories on the year have come on its home court at Centrum Arena.
• Southern Utah has won the last seven games in the series over UMKC at home by an average margin of 11 points. Four of the games, however, were decided by seven points or less.
THE SERIES
Saturday's meeting will be the 30th in the all-time series between UMKC and SUU with the Thunderbirds holding the 16-13 advantage. Southern Utah is 12-1 in the series in games played in Cedar City with UMKC's lone victory coming in overtime (72-71) during the 2002 season.
'ROO TIDBITS
• Jay Couisnard has played 116-of-120 possible minutes over the past three games. This includes playing all 40 minutes for the second time this season in the win over WIU.
• UMKC went on a season-high 16-0 run in the first half against NDSU and limited the Bison without a field goal for a 10-minute stretch.
• The 'Roos committed 18 turnovers in the four-point loss to NDSU, which were the most for the squad since committing 25 miscues in the loss at Missouri.
• Freshman Kirk Korver reached double figures for the fourth time this season, finishing with 11 points on 2-of-4 shooting from long range against NDSU. He also went 5-of-5 from the free throw line in the four-point loss.
• Freshman Fred Chatmon provided the 'Roos with “energy minutes” against NDSU, scoring four points in four minutes. The forward scored on a baby hook and a put back dunk that opened UMKC's 16-0 run.
• UMKC limited Western Illinois to a .373 field goal percentage on Jan. 21. The mark was the lowest shooting percentage for a Division I opponent this season.
• Sophomore Trey McKinney-Jones is fourth in The Summit League in field goal percentage at .537 (79-147). He is one of just four guards among the top-10 in the category.
• UMKC has either won or been even on the boards in each of the last four games. The 'Roos are 6-2 this season when they out rebound their opponents.
• UMKC has committed fewer than 10 turnovers in four contests on the season.
• The X factor? UMKC is 7-3 this season when junior Spencer Johnson reaches double figures.
• UMKC is leading the league in turnover margin (+2.2). The squad is also fourth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.0), fifth in steals (6.5) and fifth in assists (12.4) per game.
• With his next field goal, sophomore LaTreze Mushatt will join Spencer Johnson as a member of the 500-point club. The forward is one of 31 'Roos to reach the 500-point milestone.
• Junior Spencer Johnson has moved into the top-15 in UMKC history in career rebounding, ranking 13th with 366 caroms. He also ranks 27th in the record books in career scoring with 573 points.
• Freshman Kirk Korver has made two or more three pointers in six games on the season. The 'Roos are 3-3 in such contests.
• Foul trouble has been consistently plaguing junior Jay Couisnard, as the forward has had four or more fouls in 11 games with four disqualifications.
• The 'Roos are 6-1 on the year when attempting more free throws than its opposition with its lone loss coming at IPFW on Jan. 16.
• Junior Bakari Lewis has four or more assists in five of the last seven games to give him a team-high 51 assists on the year.
• The 'Roos are shooting .448 from the floor and .363 from long range at home and .426 from the field and .325 from long range on the road.
• In five games at Municipal, UMKC is shooting .407 from the floor, .350 from long range and .707 from the charity stripe. In contrast, the opposition is shooting .435 from the field, .321 from three-point land and .725 from the free throw stripe.
• Junior Spencer Johnson has made 43 consecutive starts and has started 50 of the last 51 contests.
• UMKC's reserves average 18.3 points per game.
OH SO CLOSE
During the current streak where the 'Roos have dropped five-of-six games, four of the games have been decided by five points or less. The average margin of defeat in the five defeats is 6.6 points.
UMKC is averaging 67.5 points, while surrendering 72.3 points over the six games. The biggest disparity has come at the free throw line, where the opposition is 108-146 (.740) compared to the 'Roos being just 64-89 (.719).
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Over the last two games, it has been a tale of two halves for the 'Roos. The squad led at the half (seven points against IUPUI and 12 against NDSU) before ultimately falling short in the end.
UMKC averaged 37 points in the first half, while shooting .491 from the floor, while giving up just 27.5 points after limiting its opposition to .363 shooting.
In half two, however, the tide turned on the 'Roos. UMKC's scoring average dipped to 29.5 points on .386 shooting, while the opponents averages climb to 41.5 points courtesy of a blistering .605 field goal percentage.
KNOCKIN' 'EM DOWN FROM LONG RANGE
Over the past five games, UMKC has made a total of 40 three-pointers or 8.0 per game. At Oakland on Jan. 14, the 'Roos made 10 long balls, which were the most for the squad in more than a calendar year, as it hadn't made 10 three pointers since Dec. 31, 2008, at IUPUI.
The 'Roos have made eight or more long balls in three of the last five games to give them a total of six games with eight or more treys this season. The squad is 4-2 in such contests.
'ROOS TALLY NINTH WIN; THIRD LEAGUE VICTORY
UMKC secured its ninth victory of the season by beating Western Illinois on Jan. 21. The victory was the team's third Summit League win on the year, which matches last season's total. The 'Roos have already surpassed last season's overall win (7) and road win totals (3).
COOZY NOTCHES THIRD 20-POINT GAME
Junior Jay Couisnard notched his third 20-point game of the season when he finished with 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting in the tight one point loss to IUPUI on Jan. 23. The forward also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, which tied a career-high. Additionally, the 10 field goals were a career-best for the junior and a team-high for the 'Roos this season.
Couisnard has been UMKC's most consistent scorer, as he's reached double figures in a team-best 16 games. The forward has been the team's leading scorer in 10 games and he's surpassed the 15-point mark in seven contests. His career-best performance came in his return to his hometown of Houston, when he netted 24 points in the win at Houston Baptist.
On the year, Couisnard is pacing the team and ranks 13th in The Summit League with a 13.3 points per game average, while shooting .415 from the floor and .370 from long range. He also leads the team in free throw makes (65) and attempts (100).
JUST TREY-MENDOUS
Sophomore guard Trey McKinney-Jones has shot 70 percent or better from the floor in five games and 50 percent or better in 13 contests. The guard made 8-of-9 shots in the win at Centenary on Dec. 5 as the 88.9 percentage is the high mark for a 'Roo player this season. Overall, McKinney-Jones ranks fourth in the league with a .537 shooting clip, and he has the highest field goal percentage among guards in the league.
ANOTHER D-D FOR SPENCER
Junior Spencer Johnson tallied his second double-double when he finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Western Illinois Jan. 21. The performance was Johnson's second double-double of the season and the seventh of his career.
The forward's first double-double came at Oakland on Jan. 14, when he finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. In the contest, he connected on 4-of-6 three-point attempts.
Johnson, who has scored in double digits in 10 games, is fourth on the team with a 9.3 scoring average, while shooting .433 from the floor and .368 from long range, while pacing the squad with 20 long balls. He also is tops on the team in rebounding, pulling in 5.7 caroms per game and he's led the squad on the boards in eight contests.
BALANCED SCORING
The 'Roos have five players averaging at least 8.7 points per game this season and a total of three players in double figures. UMKC is 5-1 on the year when it has four or more players finish in double digits. The team's lone loss came at home vs. South Dakota State on Jan. 7.
THE 'ROOS ARE...
• 7-3 when leading at the half.
• 6-1 when scoring at least 70 points.
• 6-2 when out rebounding their opponent.
• 5-0 when opponent scores fewer than 60 points.
TMJ STRONG IN DECEMBER
Sophomore Trey McKinney-Jones enjoyed a breakout month in December for the 'Roos. The guard reached double digits in 6-of-8 games in the month, and he established two career highs. Overall, the Wisconsin native averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds on .563 shooting and a .500 clip from long range. He also made 28-of-33 free throws during the eight contests.
On the year, McKinney-Jones has scored in double figures in 12 games and he's averaging 11,2 points, which is second best on the team, with a .537 field goal percentage. The guard has a team-high eight games with 15 or more points and he's shot better than 70 percent from the floor in six contests.
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