'Roos Set for Semifinal Showdown Against RedHawks Friday Night
3/13/2015 4:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
#3 Seattle Redhawks (15-14) vs. #2 UMKC Kangaroos (14-18)
Date / Time: March 12, 2015 - 10:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. PT
Site: Las Vegas, Nev. / Orleans Arena (7,471)
TV: WAC Digital Network
Talent: Mychal Clanton (pxp), Steven Hunter (analyst)
Radio: 810 AM
Talent: Steven Davis (pxp)
Webstream: WAC Digital Network (Free)
Live Stats: WACSports.com
Twitter: @UMKCMensHoops #WACvegas #RooUp
Series: UMKC leads 3-1
Home: 2-0
Away: 1-1
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: SU won 74-56 in Seattle, 2/18/15
Richardson vs. Opponent: 3-1
THE GAME
The 'Roos play in their first tournament semifinal since 2007 on Friday night in Las Vegas, against third-seeded Seattle. The game can be seen on the WAC Digital Network at 8:30 pm local time, 10:30 CT. UMKC and Seattle split the regular season series, with each winning on their home floor.
QUICK NOTES
- This is the 33rd game this season for UMKC, the most in school history.
- Martez Harrison was named the WAC Player of the Year this week, becoming the second UMKC player ever to win the award (Michael Jackson, 1999-00). Reese Holliday was All-Newcomer Team.
- UMKC is a No. 2 seed in the WAC Tournament, matching the highest seed it has ever been in the conference tournament (2004-05).
- The 'Roos have improved immensely on the defensive end this season, and it has been evident in conference play, holding opponents to only 61.3 points per outing (71.4 in non-conference).
- Martez Harrison has shot a WAC-high 228 free throws, and ranks No. 8 in the nation.
- Thaddeus Smith has 42 blocks this year, ranking fourth in a single season at UMKC. He is second in the WAC with 1.5 blocks per game.
- So far this year, the 'Roos have forced 524 turnovers and turned them into 580 points (18.1 ppg).
- As a team the 'Roos are 20th in the nation and first in the WAC in steals per game at 8.1, while ranking first in the WAC and 28th in the nation with a +2.7 turnover margin.
- Harrison led the WAC in steals (1.9) and scoring (17.8), while ranking third in assists (3.8). He is also seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5) and 10th in free throws (.738).
- UMKC has been hit hard by injuries this year, with nine different players missing games due to injury, A total of 81 games have been missed during the season due to injury.
- The roster currently has eight players from the Kansas City area, the most ever at UMKC (previous record set last season with seven).
- 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 Redhawks enter the game with a 15-14 overall record and are the No. 3 seed. They have won four of their last five games, and made a big comeback to defeat Chicago State in the quarterfinals last night.
Individually, they are led by first-team All-WAC guard Isiah Umipig, who ranks third in the league in scoring at 16.7 points a game. He has hit 103 threes this season, and is hitting 43 percent from beyond the arc. Fellow senior Jarell Flora is also a threat from three, averaging 14.0 points a game, to go with his 69 threes made. The Redhawks also have size, with 6-11 center Jack Crook grabbing 5.7 boards a game, while William Powell is pulling 6.3 per contest down. As a team they are No. 3 in the WAC in defense, and average a WAC high 6.9 threes per game.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his second season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 24-38 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.
Cameron Dollar is in his sixth season at Seattle, posting a 76-102 overall record there. The Redhawks were picked to finish second this season, after struggling with injuries a year ago. Last year he led them to a 13-17 mark and seventh place finish in the league.
THE SERIES
The 'Roos are 3-1 all-time against the Redhawks, winning earlier this year in Kansas City by a 75-55 margin, before losing 74-56 in Seattle. This will be the fifth meeting between the schools, but the first on a neutral court.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- The 'Roos would have advanced to a conference tournament championship game for the first time in school history.
- UMKC would have improved its record to 2-1 in the WAC Tournament, losing last year.
- The 'Roos would have won consecutive tourney games for the first time ever.
UP NEXT
The 'Roos would face the winner of the New Mexico State vs. Bakersfield matchup at 8:00 p.m. PT on Saturday in the WAC championship.
