Kansas City Hosts Former Summit Foe South Dakota State Saturday
12/27/2013 11:43:00 AM | Men's Basketball
South Dakota St. Jacks (7-7) at UMKC Kangaroos (3-8)
Date / Time: December 28, 2013 - 7:05 p.m. CST
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Municipal Auditorium (9,827)
TV: KSMO-TV in Kansas City / ESPN3
Talent: Neil Harwell (p-b-p), JC Pearson (analyst)
Radio: 102.9 FM / 1140 AM
Talent: Steven Davis (p-b-p), Steven St. John (analyst)
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (KSMO feed)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos or @UMKCMensHoops #WACHoops
Series: UMKC trails 10-5
Home: 3-5
Away: 2-5
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: SDSU won 88-57 in Brookings, 2/2/13
Richardson vs. Opponent: 0-0
THE GAME
The 'Roos play their final non-conference home game of the season on Saturday when former Summit League foe South Dakota State come to Municipal Auditorium. The Jacks have won three in a row, while Kansas City is 2-2 in its last four games. UMKC goes into WAC play on Thursday at Idaho.
QUICK NOTES
- The UMKC non-conference strength of schedule is ranked No. 29 in the nation as of Thursday, and features 13 opponents, 11 of which currently have .500 or better records, including three nationally ranked, and three in the Mid-Major Top 25. The 'Roos RPI of 169 is third in the WAC.
- UMKC has forced 177 turnovers from opponents this season, an average of 15.8 per game. Its average of 9.3 steals per game leads the WAC and ranks 14th in the nation.
- The 'Roos are undefeated at 3-0 when shooting a higher percentage from three than their opponent, as well as when they have more assists than their opponent.
- UMKC is winless when trailing at halftime, as well as when it shoots a lower percentage from the floor than their opponent.
- Seniors Kirk Korver, Trinity Hall and Fred Chatmon are ranked in the top 50 in all-time in scoring. Hall is ranked No. 17 with 748 points, while Korver is 33rd with 562 and Chatmon is 45th at 448.
- Trinity Hall is one of five players in school history to have at least 750 points, 350 rebounds and 50 blocks. He joined the club with Michael Jackson, David Robinson, Darecko Rawlins and Mike English.
- Martez Harrison's current 16.1 ppg would rank No. 3 in the freshman scoring average ranks at UMKC, behind Ronnie Schmitz' 16.8 points in 1989-90, as well as Tony Dumas' 16.5 ppg.
- 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
South Dakota State enters the contest on a three-game win streak including a victory over Belmont at home. The Jacks are 7-7 overall, and have gone to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances out of the Summit League.
They are led by Jordan Dykstra, who is averaging 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest. Four other players score in double figures, while all five average more than 27 minutes per game. Brayden Carlson puts up 13.5 points, Cody Larson is at 13.1 ppg, and Chad White hits for 10.1 per outing. They also got Jake Bittle back, and he is averaging 10.2 points a game.
As a team the Jacks average 73.1 points per game, while shooting 45 percent from the floor. They also shoot 74 percent from the line and out-rebound opponents by 3.5 a game. They also turn the ball over 12.7 times an outing.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his first season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 3-8 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.
Scott Nagy is in his 19th season as head coach with the Jackrabbits, posting a 348-215 overall record. He has led SDSU to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, winning the Summit League Tournament the last two seasons.
THE SERIES
The Jackrabbits lead the series 10-5 overall and have won the last four meetings, all by double-digits. Kansas City is 3-5 at home, dropping four straight there as well. The last contest was an 88-57 SDSU win in Brookings on 2/2/13.
The last UMKC win at home came on 1/15/09 by a 69-67 margin.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- Kansas City would have defeated SDSU for the first time in the last five meetings.
- The 'Roos would have defeated their first team that comes off an NCAA Tournament appearance since knocking off Norfolk State on 11/18/12.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will start WAC play, hitting the road for a two-game swing on Thursday at Idaho and Saturday at Seattle.
The 'Roos have never faced either school in men's basketball.
