'Roos Set to Open Exhibition Play with Ottawa Saturday
11/2/2012 12:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Swinney Recreation Center
TV: None
Radio: 102.9 FM / 1140 AM
Talent: Steven Davis (play-by-play), Steven St. John
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (Free this game)
Talent: Steven Davis (play-by-play), Steven St. John
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos
Series: 1-0 in exhibitions; never met in regular season as D-I
Home: 1-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: UMKC won 84-42 at home, 11/5/10
Brown vs. Opponent: 1-0 in exhibition
THE GAME
Notables: Exhibition game. This is the second time the 'Roos have played Ottawa as a Division I school in an exhibition game, also playing in 2010.
Kansas City Last 5: 0-5 (end of 2011-12)
Ottawa Last 5: 3-2 (end of 2011-12)
QUICK NOTES
- Kansas City enters the season with four returning starters in Trinity Hall, Estan Tyler, Thomas Staton and Kirk Korver.
- The 'Roos lost their top scorer in Reggie Chamberlain from a year ago. He averaged 17.3 points per game and finished as the all-time leader in three-point and free throw percentage at UMKC. He also finished seventh in the nation in three-point shooting at .471.
- UMKC also has seven letterwinners returning to the lineup, six of which played in at least 26 games.
- Despite the seven returnees, Kansas City still has only two seniors on the roster (Staton, Reid).
- The 'Roos biggest class is the juniors, with six. There are three freshmen and two sophomores.
- There are five newcomers to the team, with three of them being transfers (Tanner, Johnson, Kirksey).
- Matt Brown is the fifth head coach in the Division I era. He is entering his sixth season at the helm, matching the second-longest tenure of any coach.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Ottawa posted a 12-18 overall record last season, and comes into the season with four returning starters. They went 8-10 in the KCAC for an eighth place finish. Based out of Ottawa, Kan., the school has an enrollment of 600 and competes in the NAIA.
They are led by senior forward Corey Smith, who averaged 15.8 points and 7.1 boards per game a year ago, earning first-team all-conference accolades. Senior guard Chase Dippel put up 15 points per game last season as well. Overall, the Braves return 11 letterwinners.
THE COACHES
Matt Brown is in his sixth season as the head coach of the UMKC men's basketball program, and has a 56-98* overall record at the helm. Brown joined the 'Roos as the eighth head coach in school history on April 12, 2007. He has coached eight players to All-Summit League recognition.
His most successful season came in 2010-11 when he posted his only winning record at 16-14 overall. The 'Roos also had the third-most home wins in school history, going 11-4 in Kansas City, and the third-most overall wins in program history that season.
Andy Carrier is in his 23rd season as the head coach at Ottawa, and has a 288-357 overall record. Last year the Braves went 12-18 overall, and 8-10 in conference play to finish sixth.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos are 1-0 against Ottawa in exhibition games, winning an 84-42 contest in 2010.
The last meeting in the regular season was Dec. 1, 1983 when UMKC was an NAIA school. Ottawa won that game 75-64.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would be 2-0 vs. Ottawa in exhibition contests, also winning in 2010.
- The 'Roos would have won its last two exhibition games, defeating Tabor in last season's second exhibition contest.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
UMKC was selected to finish seventh in the Summit League Preseason Poll by the conference coaches SID's and media, receiving 120 points. South Dakota State was the unanimous pick to win the league with 390 points and 30 first-place votes.
