Thursday, January 16
Kansas City, MO
7:00 PM
Kansas City
vs
CSU Bakersfield
Preview: Men's Basketball Looks to Tie School Record for Best Home Start on Thursday
1/15/2020 10:18:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Kansas City Opening Tip
• Two teams in the middle of the conference standings look to make a statement on Thursday as Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-9, 2-2) hosts CSU Bakersfield (7-10, 1-1) at 7 p.m. from Swinney Center. The Roos are fifth in the nine-member league, while the Roadrunners are sixth.
• With a victory tonight, Kansas City would tie the 2010-11 and 2015-16 teams at 7-0 at home for the best start in school history.
• Kansas City holds a 4-8 series record against the 'Runners. The teams split the season series last year with each team winning at home.
• After beginning the conference season 2-0, the Roos hit a tough streak dropping a pair of road WAC games last week at UT Rio Grande Valley and New Mexico State.
The Starting Five
1. The Roos are a different team playing at the renovated Swinney Center with a perfect 6-0 home record. The defense limits opponents to 33.1 percent shooting forcing 19 turnovers. Offensively, the Roos shoot 48.7 percent, hold a +8.5 rebounding advantage and post over 18 assists per game.
2. Senior guard Jahshire Hardnett has lifted up his game recently, especially in the four conference games. He was the first Roo since the 2016-17 season to be named WAC Player of the Week on Jan. 6th. His 18.8 points per game in conference play is tied for third-best in the league. In his last nine games overall, he boosted his scoring average from 5.9 to 10.4. Recently nicknamed "Big Shot Hardnett," he nailed the game-winning or game-tying 3-pointer in three-consecutive games against South Dakota (12/22), Seattle U (1/2) and Utah Valley (1/4). He appears to be back to form after missing the Toledo and Kansas games with a leg injury.
3. Kansas City is seeing success it hasn't had in recent times with the 9-9 overall record. The Roos hit nine wins the fastest (in 16 games), since the 2010-11 program also notched its ninth win in its 16th game (9-7). That unit eventually posted a 16-14 record. KC is seeking it's first non-losing record since the 2016-17 season and just its second in the last nine years. A 10th win on Thursday means its the quickest to 10 wins (19th game) since the 2010-11 team went 10-7.
4. Coach Donlon went with his eighth different starting five combination at New Mexico State last Saturday. It marked the third-straight game he penciled in a different starting line-up. The most successful line-up to the tune of a 4-0 record has been Javan White and Jordan Giles in the front-court, with Brandon McKissic, Marvin Nesbitt Jr. and Rob Whitfield teaming up in the back-court. Overall, nine players have earned the starting nod, with White getting a team-high 16 starts.
5. Getting to the free-throw line has not been a strength of the Roos this year. In 15-of-18 games, the opponent has attempted more or the same amount as Kansas City. In fact, the opponent has tossed more or the same attempts in the last nine-straight games. On the season, the Roos have attempted 16.2 and made 10.8 on average. Conversely, the opposition averages 22.9 attempts and 17.5 makes.
The Comforts of Home
• The Roos are a different team playing at the renovated Swinney Center with a 6-0 record. As a team, Kansas City shoots 49 percent overall and outscores the opponent by over 25 points.
• On average, the Roos force 19 turnovers, are +9 in rebounding margin and post nine steals.
Series History Notes vs CSUB
• The Roos trail in the overall series 4-8. However, Kansas City has played better at home against the Roadrunners to the tune of a 3-3 record.
• Kansas City has won its past two home games in the series by a 75-67 score and 62-59 count.
• Last year, the teams won on their home court with Kansas City winning 75-67 on Feb. 16, 2019 and the Roadrunners taking a 74-73 victory on Jan. 17.
• In four out of the last five overall meetings, the winning team has won by single-digits. The only exception was a CSU Bakersfield 23-point win on Feb. 3, 2018.
Making a Good First Impression
• The Roos won their ninth game in its 16th overall contest to begin the year 9-7. That is the fastest output to nine wins since the 2010-11 program also went 9-7 to start the season.
• 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.
• Kansas City recorded seven wins prior to Jan. 1, which was 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 seven different national statistical categories:
   - No. 22 in total steals (149)
   - No. 45 in 3-point FG percentage (.368)
   - No. 48 in steals per game (8.3)
   - No. 71 in FG percentage (46.0%)
   - No. 71 in 3-point FG defense (.303)
   - No. 73 in turnovers forced (15.6)
   - No. 86 in total assists (245)
Bucking the Trend
• Heading into the Dec. 22 game at South Dakota, Kansas City was 0-6 on the year in true road games losing by an average margin of 17.8 points. However, the Roos stopped that streak courtesy of a three-pointer by senior Jahshire Hardnett. His dagger with two seconds remaining lifted the Roos to a 78-75 road victory and improved their team record to 7-7 on the season.
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
   - More made FT's than opponent: 3-0
   - Allowing 60 points or less: 4-0
Going Deep
• Kansas City is riding a streak of 315-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 7.1 make's per game, which ranks third in the WAC. Kansas City recorded a season-high of 13 at NM State (1/11/20). The fewest amount was four done on two occasions.
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.
Last Time Out Against NM State (Jan. 11)
• Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-9, 2-2) and New Mexico State (12-6, 3-0) played like two teams in the top tier of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The Roos, under first-year head coach Billy Donlon, battled and showed grit in a 74-71 loss at the Pan American Center. Kansas City hung tough in spite of being without leading scorer and rebounder Javan White, who was injured in Thursday's loss at UT Rio Grande Valley. History was not on the Roos side either, losing 13-straight games in the overall series entering the conference match-up.
• The Roos nailed a season-high 13 three-pointers and forced 18 New Mexico State turnovers as they seemingly put all of the other eight WAC teams on watch this year. One thing is for sure after the effort... Kansas City is a team to watch out for.
• Seniors Jordan Giles (16 points) and Rob Whitfield (14 points) led the three-point barrage with four long-range shots each. Senior Jahshire Hardnett and junior Marvin Nesbitt Jr., each finished with 13 points.
• Two teams in the middle of the conference standings look to make a statement on Thursday as Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-9, 2-2) hosts CSU Bakersfield (7-10, 1-1) at 7 p.m. from Swinney Center. The Roos are fifth in the nine-member league, while the Roadrunners are sixth.
• With a victory tonight, Kansas City would tie the 2010-11 and 2015-16 teams at 7-0 at home for the best start in school history.
• Kansas City holds a 4-8 series record against the 'Runners. The teams split the season series last year with each team winning at home.
• After beginning the conference season 2-0, the Roos hit a tough streak dropping a pair of road WAC games last week at UT Rio Grande Valley and New Mexico State.
The Starting Five
1. The Roos are a different team playing at the renovated Swinney Center with a perfect 6-0 home record. The defense limits opponents to 33.1 percent shooting forcing 19 turnovers. Offensively, the Roos shoot 48.7 percent, hold a +8.5 rebounding advantage and post over 18 assists per game.
2. Senior guard Jahshire Hardnett has lifted up his game recently, especially in the four conference games. He was the first Roo since the 2016-17 season to be named WAC Player of the Week on Jan. 6th. His 18.8 points per game in conference play is tied for third-best in the league. In his last nine games overall, he boosted his scoring average from 5.9 to 10.4. Recently nicknamed "Big Shot Hardnett," he nailed the game-winning or game-tying 3-pointer in three-consecutive games against South Dakota (12/22), Seattle U (1/2) and Utah Valley (1/4). He appears to be back to form after missing the Toledo and Kansas games with a leg injury.
3. Kansas City is seeing success it hasn't had in recent times with the 9-9 overall record. The Roos hit nine wins the fastest (in 16 games), since the 2010-11 program also notched its ninth win in its 16th game (9-7). That unit eventually posted a 16-14 record. KC is seeking it's first non-losing record since the 2016-17 season and just its second in the last nine years. A 10th win on Thursday means its the quickest to 10 wins (19th game) since the 2010-11 team went 10-7.
4. Coach Donlon went with his eighth different starting five combination at New Mexico State last Saturday. It marked the third-straight game he penciled in a different starting line-up. The most successful line-up to the tune of a 4-0 record has been Javan White and Jordan Giles in the front-court, with Brandon McKissic, Marvin Nesbitt Jr. and Rob Whitfield teaming up in the back-court. Overall, nine players have earned the starting nod, with White getting a team-high 16 starts.
5. Getting to the free-throw line has not been a strength of the Roos this year. In 15-of-18 games, the opponent has attempted more or the same amount as Kansas City. In fact, the opponent has tossed more or the same attempts in the last nine-straight games. On the season, the Roos have attempted 16.2 and made 10.8 on average. Conversely, the opposition averages 22.9 attempts and 17.5 makes.
The Comforts of Home
• The Roos are a different team playing at the renovated Swinney Center with a 6-0 record. As a team, Kansas City shoots 49 percent overall and outscores the opponent by over 25 points.
• On average, the Roos force 19 turnovers, are +9 in rebounding margin and post nine steals.
Series History Notes vs CSUB
• The Roos trail in the overall series 4-8. However, Kansas City has played better at home against the Roadrunners to the tune of a 3-3 record.
• Kansas City has won its past two home games in the series by a 75-67 score and 62-59 count.
• Last year, the teams won on their home court with Kansas City winning 75-67 on Feb. 16, 2019 and the Roadrunners taking a 74-73 victory on Jan. 17.
• In four out of the last five overall meetings, the winning team has won by single-digits. The only exception was a CSU Bakersfield 23-point win on Feb. 3, 2018.
Making a Good First Impression
• The Roos won their ninth game in its 16th overall contest to begin the year 9-7. That is the fastest output to nine wins since the 2010-11 program also went 9-7 to start the season.
• 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.
• Kansas City recorded seven wins prior to Jan. 1, which was 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 seven different national statistical categories:
   - No. 22 in total steals (149)
   - No. 45 in 3-point FG percentage (.368)
   - No. 48 in steals per game (8.3)
   - No. 71 in FG percentage (46.0%)
   - No. 71 in 3-point FG defense (.303)
   - No. 73 in turnovers forced (15.6)
   - No. 86 in total assists (245)
Bucking the Trend
• Heading into the Dec. 22 game at South Dakota, Kansas City was 0-6 on the year in true road games losing by an average margin of 17.8 points. However, the Roos stopped that streak courtesy of a three-pointer by senior Jahshire Hardnett. His dagger with two seconds remaining lifted the Roos to a 78-75 road victory and improved their team record to 7-7 on the season.
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
   - More made FT's than opponent: 3-0
   - Allowing 60 points or less: 4-0
Going Deep
• Kansas City is riding a streak of 315-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 7.1 make's per game, which ranks third in the WAC. Kansas City recorded a season-high of 13 at NM State (1/11/20). The fewest amount was four done on two occasions.
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.
Last Time Out Against NM State (Jan. 11)
• Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-9, 2-2) and New Mexico State (12-6, 3-0) played like two teams in the top tier of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The Roos, under first-year head coach Billy Donlon, battled and showed grit in a 74-71 loss at the Pan American Center. Kansas City hung tough in spite of being without leading scorer and rebounder Javan White, who was injured in Thursday's loss at UT Rio Grande Valley. History was not on the Roos side either, losing 13-straight games in the overall series entering the conference match-up.
• The Roos nailed a season-high 13 three-pointers and forced 18 New Mexico State turnovers as they seemingly put all of the other eight WAC teams on watch this year. One thing is for sure after the effort... Kansas City is a team to watch out for.
• Seniors Jordan Giles (16 points) and Rob Whitfield (14 points) led the three-point barrage with four long-range shots each. Senior Jahshire Hardnett and junior Marvin Nesbitt Jr., each finished with 13 points.
Players Mentioned
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