Kansas City Hosts Indiana State on 'Boy Scout Day' Saturday Afternoon
12/13/2013 9:27:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Date / Time: December 14, 2013 - 2:05 p.m. CST
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Municipal Auditorium (9,827)
TV: KSMO-TV in Kansas City / ESPN3 / ESPNFC
Talent: Neil Harwell (p-b-p), JC Pearson (analyst)
Radio: 810 AM WHB
Talent: Steven Davis (p-b-p), Steven St. John (analyst)
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (Subscribers)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (free)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos or @UMKCMensHoops #WACHoops
Series: First Meeting as a Division I school
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
Richardson vs. Opponent: 0-0
THE GAME
The 'Roos host the annual Boy Scout Day at Municipal on Saturday afternoon, welcoming in the Sycamores of Indiana State. The 'Roos picked up a win against the No. 21 team in the Mid-Major poll vs. Youngstown State last week, and now take on the No. 6 team in that poll in Indiana State, who comes in on a three-game win streak.
QUICK NOTES
- The UMKC non-conference schedule is ranked No. 15 in the nation as of this week, and features 13 opponents, 11 of which currently have winning records, including three nationally ranked, and three in the Mid-Major Top 25. The 'Roos RPI of 118 is second in the WAC.
- UMKC has forced 118 turnovers from opponents this season, an average of 14.8 per game. Its average of 9.5 steals per game leads the WAC and ranks 12th in the nation.
- Three 'Roos set career-highs against Youngstown, starting with Nelson Kirksey's 24 points. Frank Williams also had a career-best 18 points, while Martez Harrison tallied eight assists.
- Nelson Kirksey was named the College Sports Madness WAC Player of the Week for his 24-point performance against YSU. He averaged 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals per game in the games.
- Martez Harrison scored 28 points against Milwaukee, the most for a 'Roo since Reggie Chamberlain had 30 at Oakland on 12/3/11. It was the most scored by a freshman at UMKC since all-time leading scorer Michael Watson tallied 28 on February 12, 2001. His 17.1 ppg currently ranks No. 1 in the freshman scoring average ranks at UMKC.
- Kansas City announced February 7, 2013 that it would be going to the WAC. This is the first season as a member of the new conference after 19 years in the Summit League.
- UMKC hired new head coach Kareem Richardson on March 19, 2013. He helped Louisville win the National Championship last season as an assistant under Rick Pitino.
- There are seven players on the roster from the Kansas City area, more than any UMKC team in the Division I era.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Indiana State comes in with a 6-2 overall record and has won three straight. They are ranked No. 6 in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25, and boast wins at Notre Dame, vs. Ball State, and vs. Pepperdine.
They are paced by a balanced attack, including senior guard Jake Odum, who is averaging a team-high 13.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, as well as 40 assists. Four others average double figure points in Justin Gant (12.6 ppg), Manny Arop (11.1 ppg), Dawon Cummings (10.5 ppg), and Khristian Smith (10.3 ppg).
As a team the Sycamores average 79.8 points while allowing 72 per contest. They shoot 50 percent from the floor, and 45 percent from three, while boasting a 1.4 assist to turnover ratio.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his first season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 2-6 record. He was named the sixth coach in the Division I era on March 19, 2013 after helping Louisville to a National Championship last season as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
He brings 13 years of Division I coaching experience to the fold, as well as four years playing at the Division I level, graduating from Evansville in 1997.
Greg Lansing is in his fourth season at Indiana State, boasting a 62-46 overall record. He previously spent eight seasons with the program as an assistant coach, including the previous three as associate head coach.
THE SERIES
Indiana State and Kansas City have not played as Division I schools in men's basketball.
The 'Roos have played several games against Missouri Valley teams, with the last coming on 11/13/11 at Bradley. The Braves took a 68-58 win.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- Kansas City would have earned its first win at Municipal Auditorium this season.
- The 'Roos would have defeated a Missouri Valley team for the first time since November 2008 when it knocked off both Wichita State and Bradley within five days of eachother.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will be at home for the last of three straight at home, facing Miami University (Ohio) on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. in a televised game on KSMO and ESPN3.
Miami Univ. and Kansas City have never played eachother in men's basketball, it will be the first meeting in school history.
