UMKC Looks to Keep Home Stand Perfect, Faces IUPUI
1/20/2012 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
IUPUI (8-13, 2-7) at UMKC (8-13, 2-7)
January 21, 2012 - 7:05 p.m. (Central)
Swinney Recreation Center * Kansas City, Mo.
TV: KSMO, Kansas City (Neil Harwell, Jaycie Pearson)
Radio: 810 AM (Steven Davis, Steven St. John)
THE GAME
The Kangaroos kick off the second half of Summit League play on Saturday as IUPUI comes to town. The Jaguars defeated UMKC in overtime on Jan. 3 in Indianapolis. The Kangaroos look to make it two in a row after a dominating performance over Western Illinois on Thursday night.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
IUPUI enters the contest with a 8-13 overall record, and is 2-7 in conference play. The Jaguars have lost five straight since defeating UMKC on Jan. 3.
They are led by preseason conference player of the Year Alex Young, who is averaging 20.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He ranks fourth in the league in scoring and eighth in rebounding. Point guard Stephen Thomas ranks second on the team with 11.0 points per outing, along with 4.0 assists per game, good for seventh in the conference. Coming on as of late has been Ian Chiles, who averages 10 points per contest.
IUPUI averages 73.9 points per game (4th in SL), and allows 74.8 per contest (8th in SL). As a team they shoot a league-low 42.4 percent, but lead the conference in free throw shooting at 77.1 percent. On they glass the Jags lead the league with 13.5 offensive boards per game.
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 50-90 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Todd Howard is in his first season as the head coach of the Jaguars and has an 8-13 record. He spent the previous 16 seasons as an assistant/associate coach for IUPUI under Ron Hunter. He is a 1993 graduate of Louisville, where he played under Denny Crum, making three NCAA Tournaments.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Jaguars are meeting for the 31st time, with IUPUI holding a 20-10 advantage. The Jags have won the last three meetings in the series, and 13 of the last 15. The 'Roos dropped an 83-74 overtime decision earlier this season.
The Kangaroos are 5-8 in Kansas City against IUPUI, snapping a three-game losing streak last season with an 85-77 double overtime win.
Matt Brown has a 1-10 mark against IUPUI, while Todd Howard is 1-0 vs. UMKC as a head coach, and 19-10 vs. the 'Roos as an assistant.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would have won two consecutive games at Swinney for the first time since January 20 and 22 of last season, ironically against WIU and IUPUI.
- UMKC would move its record to 3-7 in league play and 9-13 overall.
- UMKC would split the season series with IUPUI, increasing its chances to make the league tournament.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Dustin Dibble could be playing in his 102nd career college basketball game on Saturday, and needs just three more games to crack the UMKC top 10.
- Reggie Chamberlain now has 115 career threes and needs three more to take sole possession of ninth. His current 2.7 made per game is third all-time at UMKC, while his percentage of .423 would be second.
- Chamberlain is now 18th on the all-time scoring list at UMKC (started the season 49th). He has 708 points now, and is the 19th player to reach 700 pts at UMKC. He needs 29 points to pass Will Palmer in 17th.
