UMKC Looks to Extend Home Win Streak, Hosts Seattle in WAC Opener
1/6/2016 9:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Seattle Redhawks (6-8, 0-0 WAC) at UMKC Kangaroos (7-8, 0-0 WAC)
Date / Time: January 7 - 7:05 p.m. CT
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Municipal Auditorium (9,827)
TV: KSMO - Kansas City (local)
Talent: Neil Harwell (pxp), Jayice Pearson (analyst)
Listen:UMKCKangaroos.com (free)
Talent: Steven Davis (pxp)
Webstream:WAC Digital Network (free)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
Twitter: @UMKCMensHoops #RooUp
Series: UMKC leads 3-2
Home: 2-0
Away: 1-1
Neutral: 0-1
Last Meeting: SU won 69-63 in Las Vegas, 3/13/15
Richardson vs. Opponent: 3-2
QUICK NOTES
- The Kangaroos are 6-0 at home to start the year for the first time since 2010-11 when they started 7-0, which is the current school record.
- The Roos strength of schedule is No. 82 in the nation, the highest in the WAC.
- UMKC finished its non-conference schedule with seven wins, marking the most for the Roos since the 2010-11 team also had seven. The last team with eight or more: 2001-02 team, with 10.
- UMKC is 12-1 in its last 13 home games. Last year it broke the school record with a 6-1 WAC mark.
- UMKC is ranked No. 177 in the RPI rankings as of Monday, the third highest RPI in the WAC.
- WAC play is set to begin on Friday, and UMKC has several players in the league rankings. Martez Harrison and LaVell Boyd are 5th and 10th in scoring in the WAC at 14.6 and 13.1 ppg. Harrison is 4th in assists (4.7), while sitting 6th in steals (1.5) and free throw percentage (.744). Dashawn King also ranks 7th in free throw percentage (.732) and 8th in steals (1.3), while Boyd is 6th in three-point percentage (.398).
- One of the Roos biggest issues this season has been turnovers. They have 226 this season, and rank 326th in the nation in fewest turnovers (15.1 per game).
- The Roos have attempted fewer threes than their opponent in 9 of their last 12 games, and are 5-1 this year when attempting 16 or fewer threes in a game.
- Martez Harrison is the WAC's active career leader in points (1,311), threes made (103), free throws made (406), steals (132), and assists (314).
- Martez Harrison ranks 49th in the nation in assists (71), while his 86 free throw attempts are 69th and 64 free throw makes are 73rd in the country.
- UMKC has now defeated an SEC school for the second straight year after the win over Mississippi State (defeated Missouri last season).
- 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). So far UMKC is 2-5 against those teams.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Redhawks enter the contest with a 6-8 overall record, including wins over UC Davis, San Jose State and Eastern Washington. They are opening WAC play with the Roos.
They are led by a balanced attack, including Brendan Westendorf and Jack Crook on the inside at 11.4 and 10.6 points per game, respectively. The duo also paces the team in rebounding at 5.5 and 6.6 per game. Also hitting double figures is Manroop Clair at 10.4 points a game to go with 40 threes. William Powell is averaging 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds a game as well.
THE COACHES
Kareem Richardson is in his third season as the head coach at UMKC, posting a 31-47 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.
Cameron Dollar is in his seventh year at Seattle, posting an 85-112 record there. Overall, he is 96-134 in eight years as a head coach. He led SU to the WAC Tournament title game last season, as well as the CIT semifinals.
THE SERIES
The 'Roos are 3-2 all-time against Seattle, and 2-0 at home against them, but dropped the last meeting in the WAC tournament semifinals by a 69-63 margin.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- The 'Roos would have defeated its third opponent this year that played in a postseason tournament last year.
- The 'Roos would have started the season 7-0 at home for the second time ever, matching the school record from 2010-11.
- Missouri-Kansas City would started 1-0 in WAC play for the second time under Richardson (started 2-0 in 2014).
UP NEXT
The 'Roos will continue conference play on Saturday night at home against CSU-Bakersfield for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
The 'Roos are 2-2 all-time against CSUB, winning the last meeting at home, but falling on a buzzer-beater on the road. The two teams are 1-1 all-time on their home floors.
