Kansas City Finishes Three-Game Home Stand With Redhawks Wednesday
12/17/2013 4:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Date / Time: December 18, 2013 - 7:05 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 Miami University (Ohio) on Wednesday night at Municipal Auditorium in a match-up of two of the top steals teams in the nation. UMKC is finishing a three-game home stand, while MU has won two of its last three contests.
QUICK NOTES
- The UMKC non-conference schedule is ranked No. 13 in the nation as of this week, and features 13 opponents, 10 of which currently have winning records, including three nationally ranked, and three in the Mid-Major Top 25. The 'Roos RPI of 136 is second in the WAC.
- UMKC has forced 133 turnovers from opponents this season, an average of 14.8 per game. Its average of 9.2 steals per game leads the WAC and ranks 17th in the nation.
- Martez Harrison scored 20 points on Saturday against Indiana State, his ninth straight game in double figures and fourth contest with 20+ points this season. He continues to struggle from the line however, hitting only 9-of-17 free throw attempts.
- 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 on the week.
- 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 17.4 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
The Redhawks of Miami University come in with a 2-5 overall record, but have won two of their last three games, including an impressive 59-56 win against Wright State.
They are paced by senior forward Will Felder, who leads the team in points (13.6) and rebounds (6.6) per game. Sophomore guard Reggie Johnson ranks second on the squad with 13.4 points an outing, while fellow backcourt classmate Geovonie McNight puts up 11 a game.
As a team the Redhawks are very similar to the 'Roos statistically. They don't shoot it well from the outside, and play a high pressure style that forces opponents into turnovers (14.1 per game). They average 64 points a contest, while giving up 75.3 a game. They also average 9 steals a game.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his first season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 2-7 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.
John Cooper is in his second season at Miami, and has an 11-27 overall record there. His record as a head coach is 54-78 in five seasons. A graduate of Wichita State and native of Kansas City, he led the Shockers in scoring and rebounding during his junior and senior seasons.
THE SERIES
Miami Univ. and Kansas City have never played each other as Division I schools in men's basketball.
The 'Roos have historically not played many teams from the MAC, but the last was against Central Michigan in 2006 (lost on road, 85-68), The previous year at home, UMKC defeated Central Michigan 75-65.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- Kansas City would have earned its first win at Municipal Auditorium this season.
- The 'Roos would have defeated a MAC team for the first time since November 26, 2005.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will head back out on the road for a contest at Wright State Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. CT, in a return for the 2012 Bracketbuster game in Kansas City.
Kansas City and Wright State have played three times, with the Raiders holding a 3-0 advantage in the series. The first two meetings came back in 1991, while WSU took a 76-62 win at UMKC on Feb. 18, 2012.
