UMKC Hits the Road for the Final Time in Regular Season, Faces WIU
2/14/2012 2:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
February 15, 2012 - 7:00 p.m. (Central)
Western Hall * Macomb, Ill.
Radio: 810 AM (Steven Davis)
THE GAME
The Kangaroos play their final regular season road game on Wednesday when they head to Macomb, Ill. for a contest with Western Illinois at 7:00 p.m. The Leathernecks come into the outing on a three-game skid, while UMKC has lost its last eight on the road.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Western Illinois comes into Kansas City with a 13-11 overall record, and are 7-8 in Summit League play. The Leathernecks have lost their last three, but are 8-4 at home.
They are led by senior guard Ceola Clark III. He averages 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He is a preseason second-team all-league pick. Freshman forward Obi Emegano is second on the team with 13.9 points per game, while junior forward Terell Parks puts up 11.9 points, along with a Summit League leading 8.8 rebounds per game.
As a team, WIU leads the conference in defense, allowing only 60.3 points per game, while holding opponents to 43.8 percent shooting (2nd). They also have a +2.8 turnover margin, tops in the conference.
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 52-94 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Jim Molinari is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Leathernecks and has a 42-71 record there. His overall record is 265-256 after spending 11 seasons as the head coach at Bradley, and two seasons at Northern Illinois. He spent three seasons at Minnesota as an assistant coach and one season at Ball State before going to WIU.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Leathernecks are meeting for the 41st time, the most played series for UMKC in the Division I era. The 'Roos lead the series 26-14 overall, and have won four of the last five meetings, including a 72-50 earlier this year.
In Macomb, UMKC is 9-10, winning by a 66-61 margin there last season.
Matt Brown has a 4-5 mark against WIU, while Jim Molinari is 3-4 vs. UMKC.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would snap an eight-game road losing streak, dating back to a win at Southeast Missouri on Dec. 10.
- UMKC would have swept the Leathernecks for the second consecutive season, the first time since doing it in 2006 and 2007.
- UMKC would have defeated WIU for the fourth consecutive game.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- In the single season books, Reggie Chamberlain is now seventh with 81 threes. He needs five to pass Michael Watson's 2000-01 season of 85.
- Chamberlain now has 136 career threes and needs 18 more to take sole possession of seventh. His current 3.0 made per game is third all-time at UMKC, while his percentage of .436 would be first.
- Chamberlain is now 14th on the all-time scoring list at UMKC (started the season 49th). He has 815 points now, and is the 14th player to reach 800 pts at UMKC. He needs 59 points to pass Nick Richmond in 13th.
- Dustin Dibble will be playing in his 107th career college basketball game on Wednesday, and needs three to move into a tie for ninth at UMKC at 109.
