UMKC Continues Home Stand, Faces Thunderbirds on Friday
12/29/2011 6:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Southern Utah (6-6, 1-1) at UMKC (7-8, 1-2)
December 30, 2011 - 7:05 p.m. (Central)
Swinney Recreation Center * Kansas City, Mo.
Radio: 810 AM (Neil Harwell, Steven St. John)
THE GAME
The Kangaroos look to snap a three-game skid on Friday night when Southern Utah comes to town, finishing off a two-game home stand. This will be the first time this year that UMKC has played two consecutive home games. Southern Utah comes in having won its last two contests.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Southern Utah comes in on a two-game win streak after taking out South Dakota on the road in overtime on Wednesday. The Thunderbirds come into the contest at 6-6 overall, 1-1 in conference play. They are led by a balanced attack with five players averaging at least nine points per game. Junior Jackson Stevenett leads the way with 12.7 points per game, while Ramell Taylor is at 12.5, Damon Heuir at 11.3, and Matt Massey is averaging 10.5 per contest. SUU averages 68.3 points per game, and allows 69.8 per contest. They out-rebound opponents by 3.0 per outing, and hit 47.8 percent from the floor. Three-point shooting is not its strength though, hitting only 27.5 percent.
THE COACHES
Matt Brown 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 49-85 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Roger Reid is in his fifth season with the Thunderbirds, posting a 46-86 record. His overall mark is 198-162, also coaching at BYU for seven seasons and earning five NCAA Tournament berths. A 38-year coaching veteran, he has also coached in the NBA, and the junior college ranks.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Thunderbirds are meeting for the 33rd time, with UMKC holding a 17-15 advantage. The 'Roos have won the last two meetings in the series, and three of the last four. The last win for the T-birds came on Jan. 30 of 2010, with the last win in Kansas City coming on Jan. 10 of 2009. UMKC is 13-3 against SUU in Kansas City all time. This will be the last trip to Kansas City for SUU as a member of the Summit League. Its first trip to UMKC came on Feb. 19, 1994 with the 'Roos winning 77-68. Matt Brown has a 4-4 mark against SUU, while Roger Reid is 4-4 vs. UMKC.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would have defeated SUU for the third consecutive meeting.
- UMKC would even its record at 2-2 in Summit League play and 8-8 overall, snapping a three-game skid.
- UMKC would move to 5-4 against SUU under Matt Brown.