UMKC to Host First Doubleheader as Coyotes Enter Kansas City
1/6/2012 4:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
South Dakota (5-9, 0-5) at UMKC (7-10, 1-4)
January 7, 2012 - 7:05 p.m. (Central)
Swinney Recreation Center * Kansas City, Mo.
TV: KSMO-TV (Neil Harwell, J.C. Pearson)
Radio: 1140 AM / 102.9 FM (Steven Davis, Steven St. John)
THE GAME
The Kangaroos look to snap a five-game skid on Saturday as UMKC plays is first doubleheader of the season at Swinney Recreation Center. The women's game tips off at 4:05 p.m., while the men's action starts at 7:05 p.m. Both games will be televised on KSMO in Kansas City.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
South Dakota, in its first season in the Summit League, enters the contest with a 5-9 overall record, and is 0-5 in conference play. The Coyotes have defeated Nebraska-Omaha and Canisius, both teams that UMKC has also beaten. They are led by senior guard Charlie Westbrook, who is averaging 16.4 points and 3.6 boards, while leading the team with 24 steals. Senior guard Louie Krogman puts up 14.9 points per contest and has a team-best 50 assists, while center Trevor Gruis puts up 10.7 points and 5.2 boards per outing. USD is nearly identical to UMKC statistically, putting up just a few more points per game. The Coyotes shoot a little better and defend a little better percentage overall, but UMKC has the lead in three-point shooting and three-point defending percentage.
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 49-87 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Dave Boots is in his 25th season as the head coach of the Coyotes and has a 488-205 record there. Overall, he is in his 31st season as a head coach, boasting a 603-268 mark. He has been named conference coach of the year seven times, and led the Coyotes to the Great West Conference regular season and tournament title in 2010.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Coyotes are meeting for the first time ever, with USD entering the conference this season. The only other team UMKC has faced from the state is SDSU, with a 3-6 mark against them. Matt Brown has a 0-0 mark against USD, while Dave Boots is 0-0 vs. UMKC.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would have snapped its first five-game losing streak since the end of last season through the start to this season of six.
- UMKC would move its record to 2-4 in league play and 8-10 overall.
- UMKC would go back above .500 at home (4-3).