Sunday, December 22
Vermillion, S.D.
3:30 PM
Kansas City
at
South Dakota
Preview: Men's Basketball Closes Up 2019 at South Dakota
12/19/2019 1:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kansas City Opening Tip
• Closing out the 2019 calendar year, the Kansas City Men's Basketball (6-7) team hits the road to face South Dakota (9-4) in Vermillion on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The game marks the final non-conference and last contest in 2019.
• The Roos tangle with another impressive team Sunday. Five days removed from defeating Toledo, who was ranked 82nd in KenPom rankings, Kansas City will see a South Dakota team ranked No. 138. Also, the Coyotes are receiving votes in the latest CollegeInsider.com Top 25 Mid-Major Poll.
• South Dakota was hit with a loss on Friday night at the hands of Northern Colorado by an 87-68 score. That loss snapped a three-game win streak.
• In series history, the teams are tied at 4-4 overall with the Coyotes 2-2 on their home court.
The Starting Five
1. Kansas City is coming off of perhaps its best signature win of the early season with a 72-57 defeat of Toledo on Tuesday. In KenPom rankings, Toledo entered the contest ranked No. 82 and on a five-game win streak. After the triumph, the Roos vaulted up 44 spots in the KenPom to No. 244. SB Nation journalist Greg Mitchell wrote the win was the best non-conference KenPom victory since beating Mississippi State in 2015.
2. Marvin Nesbitt Jr., has been one of the most consistent scorers this season for the Roos. He has notched 10-or-more points in eight of his 13 games and is currently on a five-game double-digit streak. He has boosted his season scoring average to 9.4 points, which is 1.5 points higher than prior to his five-game scoring stretch.
3. The Roos are a perfect 4-0 at home this year, which is the best home start since the 2016-17 team went 5-0 on its home court to begin the season.
4. Senior big man Javan White claims the distinction of being the only player in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to lead (or tie for first) on the team in four statistical categories. A starter in 12-of-13 games, White is No. 1 in scoring (12.2), rebounding (7.8), steals (1.3) and blocks (1.0). He has been the leading rebounder in nine games and been high scorer in three games.
5. Coach Donlon has been searching for the most successful starting five lineup. Overall, nine players have earned the starting nod, with two players getting a team-high 12 starts (White, Nesbitt Jr.). There have been six different starting line-ups used this year. The one used most is the combo of Jahshire Hardnett, Marvin Nesbitt Jr., and Rob Whitfield in the back court with Javan White and Jordan Giles in the front court. That five-some has collected a 4-2 overall record.
2020-21 Signing Class
• Head coach Billy Donlon has signed three individuals in the class of 2020-21. Below is a list of those players:
   • Caden Boser | Forward | 6-8 | 200 | Eau
   Claire Memorial HS | Eau Claire, Wis.
   • Tyre Boykin | Guard | 6-1 | 175 | West
   Bladen HS | White Oak, N.C.
   • D'Anthony Pennington | Guard | 6-2 | North
   Kansas City HS | North Kansas City, Mo.
The Comforts of Home
• The Roos are a different team playing at the renovated Swinney Center with a 4-0 record. As a team, Kansas City shoots 50 percent overall and outscores the opponent by over 35 points. On average, the Roos force 21 turnovers, are +16 in rebounding margin and post 11 steals.
• The Roos are a perfect 4-0 at home this year, which is the best home start since the 2016-17 team went 5-0 on its home court to begin the season.
Making a Good First Impression
• With five wins prior to Dec. 1, the Roos collected the most victories before the calendar flipped into December since the 2016-17 program went 6-2. That year was the last time Kansas City had a winning record at 18-17 overall.
• By gaining its fifth win in its ninth overall game against Western Illinois on Nov. 30, Kansas City saw early success it had not accomplished recently. Kansas City notched win No. 5 in its 14th game last year and win No. 5 in its 16th game in 2017-18.
• Kansas City has now recorded six wins prior to Jan. 1, which is the most since the 2016-17 program tallied seven victories prior to the new year.
National Stat Rankings
• Kansas City is ranked in the top 100 in six different statistical categories:
   - No. 11 in total steals (113)
   - No. 50 in steals per game (8.7)
   - No. 58 in total assists (175)
   - No. 77 in turnovers forced (16.0)
   - No. 92 in 3-point FG defense (30.5%)
   - No. 95 in turnover margin (+2.0)
Road Woes
• Kansas City is 0-6 this year in true road games and the numbers speak for themselves. The Roos have shot 40.5 (130-for-321) from the field and been out-rebounded by 12.3 per game. They have a -17.8 scoring margin and only make 8.8 free throws in those losses, compared to 16.5 by the opponent.
Statistical Trends
• There are a few statistical trends that equates to success for Kansas City. When the Roos do the following, they have a perfect record this year:
   - Out-rebounding the opponent: 4-0
   - Higher FG% than opponent: 5-0
   - More made FT's than opponent: 3-0
   - Allowing 60 points or less: 3-0
Going Deep
• Kansas City is riding a streak of 310-straight games making at least one three-pointer. The last time the team failed to connect from deep was on Jan. 22, 2000 against Oakland when the Roos were 0-for-13. This year, Kansas City averages 6.8 make's per game, which ranks third in the WAC. Kansas City recorded a game-high of 12 against Avila (11/5). The fewest amount was four done on two occasions.
Series History Notes vs South Dakota
• Sunday will mark the ninth meeting in the overall series with the record tied at 4-4. Kansas City snatched a 65-63 road win in the last meeting on Dec. 8, 2018.
• The teams have met each of the last four seasons with each team winning twice.
• Kansas City is 2-2 in games played in Vermillion, S.D.
• Three of the past six meetings have been decided by four points-or-fewer.
Last Time Out Against Toledo (Tuesday)
• The Kansas City Men's Basketball (6-7) team used a high-intensity defensive effort in a 72-57 non-conference victory against Toledo (8-3) from the Swinney Center. The victory halted Toledo's five-game win streak and bettered the Roos home record to 4-0.
• Junior Brandon McKissic led four Roos in double-figures with 18 points, his highest output since the season-opener in early November. Senior Rob Whitfield fired away with four three-pointers to post 16 points overall. Senior Javan White came away with his fourth double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 boards. Finally, junior Marvin Nesbitt Jr. recorded 10 points.
• Kansas City suffocated Toledo to its lowest point total of the year and a season-low field-goal percentage at 33.3 percent. The Rockets were on a roll heading into the game averaging over 82 points and ranked No. 13 in the latest CollegeInsiders.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.
The Do-It-All Machine
• Senior graduate transfer Javan White is first or tied for first on the team in four of the five major statistical categories: scoring (12.2), rebounding (7.8), steals (1.3) and blocks (1.0). He has compiled four double-doubles already and led the team in rebounding nine times and scoring three times.
• In conference rankings, he is tops in double-doubles, second in rebounding and 13th in scoring.
• In NCAA national rankings, White is 43rd in total double-doubles (4) and 49th in total rebounds (102).
• Closing out the 2019 calendar year, the Kansas City Men's Basketball (6-7) team hits the road to face South Dakota (9-4) in Vermillion on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The game marks the final non-conference and last contest in 2019.
• The Roos tangle with another impressive team Sunday. Five days removed from defeating Toledo, who was ranked 82nd in KenPom rankings, Kansas City will see a South Dakota team ranked No. 138. Also, the Coyotes are receiving votes in the latest CollegeInsider.com Top 25 Mid-Major Poll.
• South Dakota was hit with a loss on Friday night at the hands of Northern Colorado by an 87-68 score. That loss snapped a three-game win streak.
• In series history, the teams are tied at 4-4 overall with the Coyotes 2-2 on their home court.
The Starting Five
1. Kansas City is coming off of perhaps its best signature win of the early season with a 72-57 defeat of Toledo on Tuesday. In KenPom rankings, Toledo entered the contest ranked No. 82 and on a five-game win streak. After the triumph, the Roos vaulted up 44 spots in the KenPom to No. 244. SB Nation journalist Greg Mitchell wrote the win was the best non-conference KenPom victory since beating Mississippi State in 2015.
2. Marvin Nesbitt Jr., has been one of the most consistent scorers this season for the Roos. He has notched 10-or-more points in eight of his 13 games and is currently on a five-game double-digit streak. He has boosted his season scoring average to 9.4 points, which is 1.5 points higher than prior to his five-game scoring stretch.
3. The Roos are a perfect 4-0 at home this year, which is the best home start since the 2016-17 team went 5-0 on its home court to begin the season.
4. Senior big man Javan White claims the distinction of being the only player in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to lead (or tie for first) on the team in four statistical categories. A starter in 12-of-13 games, White is No. 1 in scoring (12.2), rebounding (7.8), steals (1.3) and blocks (1.0). He has been the leading rebounder in nine games and been high scorer in three games.
5. Coach Donlon has been searching for the most successful starting five lineup. Overall, nine players have earned the starting nod, with two players getting a team-high 12 starts (White, Nesbitt Jr.). There have been six different starting line-ups used this year. The one used most is the combo of Jahshire Hardnett, Marvin Nesbitt Jr., and Rob Whitfield in the back court with Javan White and Jordan Giles in the front court. That five-some has collected a 4-2 overall record.
2020-21 Signing Class
• Head coach Billy Donlon has signed three individuals in the class of 2020-21. Below is a list of those players:
   • Caden Boser | Forward | 6-8 | 200 | Eau
   Claire Memorial HS | Eau Claire, Wis.
   • Tyre Boykin | Guard | 6-1 | 175 | West
   Bladen HS | White Oak, N.C.
   • D'Anthony Pennington | Guard | 6-2 | North
   Kansas City HS | North Kansas City, Mo.
The Comforts of Home
• The Roos are a different team playing at the renovated Swinney Center with a 4-0 record. As a team, Kansas City shoots 50 percent overall and outscores the opponent by over 35 points. On average, the Roos force 21 turnovers, are +16 in rebounding margin and post 11 steals.
• The Roos are a perfect 4-0 at home this year, which is the best home start since the 2016-17 team went 5-0 on its home court to begin the season.
Making a Good First Impression
• With five wins prior to Dec. 1, the Roos collected the most victories before the calendar flipped into December since the 2016-17 program went 6-2. That year was the last time Kansas City had a winning record at 18-17 overall.
• By gaining its fifth win in its ninth overall game against Western Illinois on Nov. 30, Kansas City saw early success it had not accomplished recently. Kansas City notched win No. 5 in its 14th game last year and win No. 5 in its 16th game in 2017-18.
• Kansas City has now recorded six wins prior to Jan. 1, which is the most since the 2016-17 program tallied seven victories prior to the new year.
National Stat Rankings
• Kansas City is ranked in the top 100 in six different statistical categories:
   - No. 11 in total steals (113)
   - No. 50 in steals per game (8.7)
   - No. 58 in total assists (175)
   - No. 77 in turnovers forced (16.0)
   - No. 92 in 3-point FG defense (30.5%)
   - No. 95 in turnover margin (+2.0)
Road Woes
• Kansas City is 0-6 this year in true road games and the numbers speak for themselves. The Roos have shot 40.5 (130-for-321) from the field and been out-rebounded by 12.3 per game. They have a -17.8 scoring margin and only make 8.8 free throws in those losses, compared to 16.5 by the opponent.
Statistical Trends
• There are a few statistical trends that equates to success for Kansas City. When the Roos do the following, they have a perfect record this year:
   - Out-rebounding the opponent: 4-0
   - Higher FG% than opponent: 5-0
   - More made FT's than opponent: 3-0
   - Allowing 60 points or less: 3-0
Going Deep
• Kansas City is riding a streak of 310-straight games making at least one three-pointer. The last time the team failed to connect from deep was on Jan. 22, 2000 against Oakland when the Roos were 0-for-13. This year, Kansas City averages 6.8 make's per game, which ranks third in the WAC. Kansas City recorded a game-high of 12 against Avila (11/5). The fewest amount was four done on two occasions.
Series History Notes vs South Dakota
• Sunday will mark the ninth meeting in the overall series with the record tied at 4-4. Kansas City snatched a 65-63 road win in the last meeting on Dec. 8, 2018.
• The teams have met each of the last four seasons with each team winning twice.
• Kansas City is 2-2 in games played in Vermillion, S.D.
• Three of the past six meetings have been decided by four points-or-fewer.
Last Time Out Against Toledo (Tuesday)
• The Kansas City Men's Basketball (6-7) team used a high-intensity defensive effort in a 72-57 non-conference victory against Toledo (8-3) from the Swinney Center. The victory halted Toledo's five-game win streak and bettered the Roos home record to 4-0.
• Junior Brandon McKissic led four Roos in double-figures with 18 points, his highest output since the season-opener in early November. Senior Rob Whitfield fired away with four three-pointers to post 16 points overall. Senior Javan White came away with his fourth double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 boards. Finally, junior Marvin Nesbitt Jr. recorded 10 points.
• Kansas City suffocated Toledo to its lowest point total of the year and a season-low field-goal percentage at 33.3 percent. The Rockets were on a roll heading into the game averaging over 82 points and ranked No. 13 in the latest CollegeInsiders.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.
The Do-It-All Machine
• Senior graduate transfer Javan White is first or tied for first on the team in four of the five major statistical categories: scoring (12.2), rebounding (7.8), steals (1.3) and blocks (1.0). He has compiled four double-doubles already and led the team in rebounding nine times and scoring three times.
• In conference rankings, he is tops in double-doubles, second in rebounding and 13th in scoring.
• In NCAA national rankings, White is 43rd in total double-doubles (4) and 49th in total rebounds (102).
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