UMKC Continues Road Swing at Drake Saturday
11/20/2015 9:14:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UMKC Kangaroos (1-2) at Drake Bulldogs (1-1)
Date / Time: November 21 - 7 p.m. CT
Site: Des Moines, Iowa / Knapp Center (7,152)
TV: Des Moines, local broadcast
Talent: Larry Morgan (pxp), Adam Emmenecker (analyst)
Listen:UMKCKangaroos.com (free)
Talent: Steven Davis (pxp)
Webstream:ESPN3.com
Live Stats: GoDrakebulldogs.com
Twitter: @UMKCMensHoops #RooUp
Series: First Meeting
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
Richardson vs. Opponent: 0-0
QUICK NOTES
- The 'Roos have hit 12 threes in two games already this season, matching the highest it has ever made under Richardson.
- UMKC has nine different players that have hit threes so far this season.
- The 'Roos were called for a school record 37 fouls on Tuesday vs. Omaha.
- Martez Harrison ranks second in the nation in assists (23), while LaVell Boyd is second in the nation in three-pointers made (12). Harrison's 7.7 apg average is 17th, while Boyd's .667 three-point percentage is 20th in the nation.
- LaVell Boyd scored 25 points in his debut with UMKC, hitting seven threes. It was the most threes made for a 'Roo since Reggie Chamberlain hit seven vs. Western Illinois (1/19/12). It also matched the highest point total ever for a Roo in his debut (Dominique Johnson in 2006 had 25).
- UMKC returns six letterwinners to the lineup this season, all of which have starting experience. Four of those players started more than half the games they played (Martez Harrison, Shayok Shayok, Darius Austin, Thaddeus Smith).
- The 'Roos are facing 10 schools this season that went to postseason tournaments last year (South Dakota St., UT-Martin, Iowa, Louisville, UNC-Wilmington, Oklahoma St., USC-Upstate, Seattle, New Mexico State and Grand Canyon).
- After the win against William Jewell, UMKC is now 7-1 in its last eight home games.
- UMKC will play games in 15 different states this season.
- Martez Harrison was named an AP honorable mention All-American last season, becoming the first ever in D-I history. He was named the WAC Player of the Year as well, becoming the second UMKC player ever to win a POY honor (Michael Jackson, 1999-00).
- Harrison led the league in scoring (17.5 ppg), total steals (60) and total assists (129). He also ranked among the league's top 10 in free-throw shooting (.748) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.50).
- Thaddeus Smith had 44 blocks last year, ranking fourth in a single season at UMKC. He was second in the WAC with 1.5 blocks per game.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season, rolling past Simpson College in the opener before falling on the road in overtime at Tulane on Monday night, 79-74.
The Bulldogs are paced by a trio of scorers in Reed Timmer (19 ppg), Kale Abrahamson (14 ppg) and Graham Woodward (11 ppg). They return three starters from last year's team, and brought in seven newcomers, including both Abrahamson and Woodward. They average 85.5 points per game, while allowing 65.5 per contest after two games.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his third season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 25-41 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.
His second season in Kansas City as the head man was another step in the right direction in 2014-15, and generated several program firsts. The 8-6 WAC record was the first above .500 at UMKC since 2005-06, and its second place finish matched the highest ever in league play. UMKC finished with a 6-1 WAC home record, the best in school history in conference play.
Ray Giacoletti is in his third season at Drake, leading them to a 25-39 overall record so far. He came to Drake from Gonzaga, where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach. Overall as a head coach, he is 196-162 in his 13th season after coaching both Utah and Eastern Washington.
THE SERIES
The 'Roos have never played Drake in men's basketball, amazingly. UMKC and Drake compete in several sports due to the proximity of KC and Des Moines.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- The 'Roos would have snapped a five-game road losing streak.
- UMKC would have defeated a Missouri Valley school for the second time in as many seasons.
- Missouri-Kansas City would have moved back to .500 and picked up its first road win.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will return home for a three-game stand, starting on Wednesday against Division II Lincoln (Mo.) at 7 p.m.
The 'Roos are 2-0 all-time against the Blue Tigers, winning both games at home in convincing fashion in 2009 and 2012.
