Kangaroos Face Southeast Missouri State in Final Non-Conference Game Wednesday
1/28/2014 6:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UMKC Kangaroos (7-12) at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (11-10)
Date / Time: January 29, 2014 - 7:00 p.m. CST
Site: Cape Girardeau, Mo. / Show Me Center (7,000)
TV: None
Talent: N/A
Radio: 810 AM WHB
Talent: Steven Davis (p-b-p)
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (via SEMO)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (via SEMO)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos or @UMKCMensHoops #WACHoops
Series: SEMO leads 3-2
Home: 1-2
Away: 1-1
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: SEMO won 66-65 in KC, 12/22/12
Richardson vs. Opponent: 0-0
THE GAME
The 'Roos head to Southeast Missouri State on Wednesday for their final non-conference game of the regular season. Kansas City is going for its second straight win on the road, while SEMO is trying to stay on the right track with three wins in the last five contests.
UMKC Last 5: 2-3, last time out won at Bakersfield, 70-69.
SEMO Last 5: 3-2, last time out lost vs Eastern Illinois, 77-74.
QUICK NOTES
- Kansas City is in the toughest portion of its conference schedule, playing the third contest of a stretch with six of seven games on the road.
- SEMO is the third team the 'Roos have faced this season named the Redhawks (Seattle, Miami Univ.).
- Martez Harrison's current 16.3 ppg currently leads all freshmen scorers in the WAC, and sits 10th in the nation. The average would rank No. 3 in the freshman scoring average ranks at UMKC as well.
- UMKC has an average of 8.2 steals per game to lead the WAC and rank 29th in the nation.
- Seniors Kirk Korver, Trinity Hall, Fred Chatmon and Nelson Kirksey are ranked in the top 50 in all-time in scoring as Hall is at No. 15 with 824 points, Korver is 33rd with 578, Chatmon is 38th at 511 and Kirksey is 43rd with 492.
- Trinity Hall is one of four players in school history to have at least 800 points, 400 rebounds and 50 blocks. He joined the club with Michael Jackson, David Robinson and Darecko Rawlins.
- The UMKC non-conference strength of schedule was ranked No. 34 in the nation as of Monday. The 'Roos RPI of 188 is fourth in the WAC.
- 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 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
Southeast Missouri State enters the contest with an 11-10 overall record. The Redhawks started the season 7-2, before cooling off. They have won three of their last five games though, and have a 3-5 Ohio Valley record.
They are led by junior transfer Jarekious Bradley, who is averaging 21.2 points per game, while shooting 51.1 percent from the floor, 41 percent from three, and seven rebounds a game. Forward Tyler Stone, who lit up the 'Roos for 28 points and nine boards last season, averages 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. Point guard Lucas Nutt, the coaches son, has a team-high 114 assists (5.4 apg).
As a team the Redhawks average 82.5 points per game and shoot 49 percent from the field, as well as hit 7.6 threes per game. On defense, they allow 77.6 points a contest, giving up at least 74 points in 14 straight.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his first season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 7-12 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.
Dickey Nutt is in his fifth year at SEMO, and posts a 60-87 mark there. Overall, he is in his 18th season as a head coach, going 249-274. He came to SEMO after serving as head coach at Arkansas State from 1995-2008, and as an assistant from1987-95.
THE SERIES
The 'Roos are playing SEMO for the sixth time, and trail the series 3-2. The teams are tied 1-1 in Cape Girardeau, with UMKC taking the last meeting there in 2011, 74-69. The two played last season in Kansas City with the Redhawks taking a 66-65 win.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- Kansas City would move to 2-1 in Cape Girardeau all-time.
- UMKC would have won two straight on the road for the second time this season.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will play at home for the first time in three games on Saturday when they host Grand Canyon at 7:05 p.m. from Municipal.
The 'Roos are playing the Antelopes for the first time ever in men's basketball. The game will signify the halfway point of conference play.
