Kansas City Heads to Chicago to Tip Off Three-Game Road Swing
2/7/2014 10:12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UMKC Kangaroos (7-14, 4-4) at Chicago St. Cougars (9-12, 4-3)
Date / Time: February 8, 2014 - 4:30 p.m. CST
Site: Chicago, Ill. / Jones Center
TV: None
Talent: N/A
Radio: 810 AM WHB
Talent: Steven Davis (p-b-p)
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (via CSU)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (via CSU)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos or @UMKCMensHoops #WACHoops
Series: Kansas City leads 25-10
Home: 14-5
Away: 10-4
Neutral: 1-1
Last Meeting: CSU won 68-66 on 1/11/14 in KC
Richardson vs. Opponent: 0-1
THE GAME
The 'Roos hit the road for three straight games, starting at Chicago State Saturday as part of a doubleheader with the women's teams. Kansas City looks to rebound from two straight losses, while the Cougars are also looking to get back on track after dropping two straight.
UMKC Last 5: 2-3, last time out lost vs. Grand Canyon, 72-53.
CSU Last 5: 2-3, last time out lost vs. Grand Canyon, 76-75.
QUICK NOTES
- Kansas City starts the second half of conference play Saturday night, kicking off a three-game road swing. The 'Roos finish the season with four of five at home though.
- Six of the 'Roos seven wins have come when shooting a higher percentage than their opponent.
- Martez Harrison's current 16.2 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 8.0 steals per game to lead the WAC and rank 34th 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 840 points, Korver is 32nd with 581, Chatmon is 38th at 524 and Kirksey is 39th with 514.
- 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. 43 in the nation as of Thursday. The 'Roos RPI of 219 is fifth 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
Chicago State enters the contest with a 9-12 overall record and is 4-3 in the WAC after dropping back-to-back games. The Cougars are coming in off a 76-75 home loss to Grand Canyon.
They are led by a balanced attack of four players. Quinton Pippen leads the team with 15.3 points per contest and 54 assists, while Clarke Rosenburg puts up 14.6 points an outing and has 51 assists. Post man Matt Ross averages 12.0 points and a team-best 7.5 rebounds a game to go with 30 blocks, while Nate Duhon averages 9.9 points a game. Last time they played, Pippen had 23, and Ross had 19 points.
As a team the Cougars have a -9.3 rebound margin, but lead the league in steals at 8.3 per contest. They score 67.6 points a game in league play, allowing 69.6.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his first season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 7-14 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.
Tracy Dildy is in his fourth season at Chicago State, posting a 30-59 overall record there. He came to CSU after three seasons as the associate head coach at his alma mater, Illinois-Chicago, and has had coaching stops at several BCS schools.
THE SERIES
The 'Roos are playing the Cougars for the second time this year. The last one saw CSU win on a jumper with 1.7 seconds left, 68-66. This is the 36th overall meeting, and UMKC leads the series 25-10 overall, including a 10-4 mark in Chicago.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- Kansas City would have snapped a two-game losing streak.
- UMKC would even its record against Chicago State this season.
- The 'Roos would improve to 4-1 on the road in WAC play.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will continue the road swing on Thursday at New Mexico State, facing the Aggies in an 8:00 p.m. CT contest.
The 'Roos are playing the Aggies for the second time ever, after upsetting the league favorites on January 8 at home, 68-66.
