UMKC Tips Off Summit League Play at Mastodons Thursday
11/30/2011 9:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TV: None
Radio: 1140 AM/102.9 FM (Steven Davis)
Webcast: Here (via IPFW)
Live Stats: Here (via IPFW)
THE GAME
The Kangaroos will head into conference play this week in the final two games of a six-game road swing, starting with IPFW on Thursday, and at defending league champion Oakland on Saturday. The Kangaroos are coming in with victories in their last two games, while IPFW has played only four games, coming off a loss at Iowa on Saturday.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
IPFW enters the week with a 2-2 overall record with losses to Iowa and Xavier, and wins against Nebraska-Omaha and Judson.
They are led by 6-5 junior guard Frank Gaines, who is averaging 23 points and 5.3 boards per game. 6-10 senior forward Trey McCorkle is averaging 13.8 points and nine rebounds per outing as well.
The Mastodons out-rebound their opponents by more than six per game, and average 75.8 points per contest. Defensively, opponents shoot 47.6 percent and score 74.8 points per game.
THE COACHES is in his fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC men's basketball program, and comes off his most successful season at the helm. In 2010-11, he posted his first winning record at 16-14 overall. The 'Roos also posted the third-most home wins in school history, going 11-4 in Kansas City, and the third-most overall wins in program history.
Brown joined the 'Roos as the eighth head coach in school history on April 12, 2007. In his five seasons as head coach, Brown has guided UMKC to a 45-81 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Tony Jasick is in his first season as the head coach at IPFW, and has a 2-2 overall record. He served as an assistant coach the last six seasons. Prior to going to IPFW, he was an assistant at Middle Tennessee State.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Mastodons are meeting for the ninth time with IPFW holding a 5-3 advantage (one UMKC win vacated). The Mastodons won both meetings last season, taking an overtime victory in Fort Wayne, 76-72. The 'Roos are 0-4 on the road against IPFW.
Matt Brown has a 2-5 mark against IPFW, while Jasick has never faced UMKC as a head coach.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would be 1-0 in conference play for the first time ever under Matt Brown, and the first time since 2006-07.
- The Kangaroos would be on a three-game win streak for the first time since Jan. 20-27 of last season.
- UMKC will have defeated IPFW for the first time ever on the road, and first time overall since Feb. 11, 2010.