UMKC To Face Samford in EA Sports Maui Consolation Game Sunday
11/23/2014 12:20:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Samford Bulldogs (1-3) vs. UMKC Kangaroos (2-2)
Date / Time: November 23, 2014 - 3:30 p.m. CST
Site: Little Rock, Ark. / Jack Stephens Center (5,600)
TV: None
Talent: N/A
Radio: 1510 AM
Talent: Steven Davis (p-b-p)
Webstream: UMKCKangaroos.com (via UALR, free)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (via UALR)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos or @UMKCMensHoops #WACHoops
Series: UMKC leads 2-0
Home: 1-0
Away: 1-0
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: UMKC won 109-77 in KC, 2/12/90
Richardson vs. Opponent: 0-0
THE GAME
The 'Roos play in the consolation game of the EA Sports Maui Invitational Mainland Regional Tournament on Sunday against Samford. The 'Roos are looking to bounce back from a tough loss to UALR, while the Bulldogs fell 79-72 to Cal State Northridge.
QUICK NOTES
- UMKC is ranked in the College Sports Insider Mid-Major Top 25 at 23rd as of Monday. It is the first time the 'Roos have ever been ranked in any poll.
- UMKC had two players with double-digit rebounds (Holliday, Shayok) in the same game for the first time since 11/20/13 at UT-Martin when Fred Chatmon and Trinity Hall did it.
- Martez Harrison had 11 assists on Wednesday night, a career-high and the most for a 'Roo since Marc Stricker set the school record on December 16, 1999.
- As a team UMKC hit 79.3 percent from the line vs. Mizzou and 80 percent against K-State, the two highest totals in Kareem Richardson's tenure. However they hit only 45 percent yesterday.
- UMKC has shown its depth early in the year, with 12 different players scoring against Missouri S&T, 11 vs. K-State and 10 against Missouri.
- Martez Harrison was named the College Sports Madness Mid-Major National Player of the Week on Monday for his 26-point performance at Missouri.
- The roster currently has eight players from the Kansas City area, the most ever at UMKC (previous record set last season with seven).
- UMKC also has eight players that are completely new to the roster this year.
- There is only one player (Mason Wedel) on the current roster that was not recruited by this coaching staff.
- UMKC is in its second season under head coach Kareem Richardson, and is playing its second year back at Municipal Auditorium, and second in the Western Athletic Conference.
- In Richardson's first year, he led the team to a fifth place finish in the WAC, and the fourth seed in the conference tournament, both of which were the highest since 2006 at UMKC.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Bulldogs are 1-3 early in the season, falling to Purdue and Pittsburgh, before taking a 68-67 win over Austin Peay in its home opener. Yesterday, the Bulldogs lost a 79-72 contest to CSUN.
They are paced by Tyler Hood, who is averaging 11.8 points per game, including a 12-of-27 clip from three (.444). Also averaging double figures is freshman Christen Cunningham at 10.8 per contest, while dishing out 17 assists. The leading rebounder is Michael Bradley at 6.8 per outing.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his second season as the head coach at UMKC, posting an 12-22 record. He was named the sixth coach in the Division I era on March 19, 2013 after helping Louisville to a National Championship in 2013 as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
He brings 14 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 Padgett is in his first season as head coach at Samford after serving as an assistant coach there for two seasons. He played at Kentucky in the late 90's for Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith, winning a national title in 1998.
THE SERIES
The 'Roos have a 2-0 record against Samford all-time, winning at home and on the road in 1989 and 1990. The last meeting was a 109-77 victory in 1990 on the home court of the 'Roos. UMKC and Samford have never played on a neutral court.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- Kansas City would have moved to 3-2 on the season, and 2-2 in the Maui Invitational.
- UMKC would finish third in the regional round of the Maui Invite.
- The 'Roos would have answered each loss with a win this season.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will remain on the road, and face Youngstown State on Wednesday night on the road in Ohio at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be shown on ESPN3.com.
The 'Roos and Penguins played last year in Kansas City, with UMKC taking an 88-80 win. This will be the 22nd meeting all-time, with YSU holding a 13-8 lead in the series. The two teams were in the Mid-Continent Conference together from 1995-2001.
