Thursday, January 9
Edinburg, Texas
7:00 PM
Kansas City
at
UT Rio Grande Valley
Preview: Men's Basketball Carries First-Place Mark to UTRGV
1/7/2020 4:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kansas City Opening Tip
• For the first time this year, Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-7, 2-0) travels in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) action with a visit to the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (4-10, 0-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m.
• The Roos are in first-place in the WAC standings in the early going and stand as the only league team with a 2-0 record. Two other teams hold a 1-0 mark.
• Kansas City enters the contest on a four-game win streak, while UTRGV is on a five-game losing skid. However, the Vaqueros are 4-1 at home.
• In the overall series, UTRGV is 14-12 against the Roos and 8-3 at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. However, Kansas City has turned the tables recently winning two of the last three meetings in Edinburg.
• Jahshire Hardnett earned WAC Player of the Week accolades on Jan. 6 after he averaged 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 rebounds in two Kansas City victories. Known as "Big Shot Hardnett" for his recent heroics, he has now poured in the game-winning three-pointer in each of the past three games with under a minute remaining.
The Starting Five
1. Kansas City is seeing success it hasn't had in recent times with the 9-7 overall record. Riding a season-long four-game win streak, the Roos have hit nine wins the fastest since the 2010-11 program also notched its ninth win in its 16th game (9-7). That unit eventually won its next game to go 10-7.
2. The current four-game win streak is the longest since a four-gamer during the 2017-18 season. The last time the Roos rattled off five-straight wins was late in the 2016-17 campaign.
3. The 2-0 start in WAC play marks the third time (2013-14, 2018-19, 2019-20) since the Roos joined the league in 2013-14 they have gone 2-0. They have never held a 3-0 start in WAC play. During the 2004-05 season, Kansas City, as members of the Mid-Continent Conference, went 9-0 to start league play.
4. Coach Donlon may have found the best starting five combination. During the current-four game win streak, the line-up 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 two players getting a team-high 15 starts (White, Nesbitt Jr.). There have been six different starting line-ups overall used this year.
5. After a 68-63 win against Utah Valley on Jan. 4, the Roos stand undefeated at home with a 6-0 mark. That is tied for the best start on their home court since the 2015-16 unit had a 6-0 home record prior to its first loss. No Kansas City team has ever gone 7-0 at home prior to its first loss in the NCAA Division I era (1986-87).
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.
• The 6-0 start is the best home start since the 2015-16 team also went 6-0 on its home court to begin the season.
Series History Notes vs UTRGV
• UTRGV leads the all-time series by a 14-12 record, including an 8-3 record at UTRGV Fieldhouse.
• In the last meeting, which took place in Kansas City on March 2, 2019, the Roos dropped a 75-70 decision. Junior Brandon McKissic compiled a game-high 20 points, while senior Rob Whitfield knocked down four treys to finish with 16 points and added four assists.
• The Vaqueros have won the last two meetings overall.
• The Roos have won two of the last three meetings on the road.
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.
• 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. 26 in total steals (133)
   - No. 45 in 3-point FG defense (.292)
   - No. 55 in steals per game (8.3)
   - No. 68 in 3-point FG percentage (.363)
   - No. 70 in turnovers forced (15.8)
   - No. 92 in FG percentage (45.8%)
   - No. 92 in total blocks (57)
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
   - Higher FG% than opponent: 8-0
   - More made FT's than opponent: 3-0
   - Allowing 60 points or less: 4-0
Going Deep
• Kansas City is riding a streak of 313-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 6.9 make's per game, which ranks third in the WAC. Kansas City recorded a season-high of 12 against Avila (11/5). 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 Utah Valley (Jan. 4)
• For the third-straight game, senior Jahshire Hardnett hit another big shot. It was Hardnett's late-game heroics that again were the difference as Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-7, 2-0) moved to 6-0 at home and needed a final push to take down Utah Valley (7-10, 1-1), 68-63, at Swinney Center.
• Hardnett swished in a three-pointer at the top of the key with 35.8 seconds remaining to put the Roos up 64-63. Four Hardnett free throws later and the Roos would win their fourth-straight game on the season. The clutch shot is becoming a norm for the BYU transfer. As some people call him "Big Shot Hardnett," he has now poured in the game-winning three-pointer in each of the past three games with under a minute remaining.
• Hardnett recorded a game-high 17 points on 4-of-9 shooting. He added two assists and two steals. In his past six games, he has averaged 15.0 points, up from his 9.2 season average.
 • Senior Jordan Giles netted 16 points, senior Javan White added 13 and senior Rob Whitfield finished with 10 in the winning effort. White led his team in rebounding for the 11th time this year with nine boards.
• For the first time this year, Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-7, 2-0) travels in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) action with a visit to the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (4-10, 0-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m.
• The Roos are in first-place in the WAC standings in the early going and stand as the only league team with a 2-0 record. Two other teams hold a 1-0 mark.
• Kansas City enters the contest on a four-game win streak, while UTRGV is on a five-game losing skid. However, the Vaqueros are 4-1 at home.
• In the overall series, UTRGV is 14-12 against the Roos and 8-3 at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. However, Kansas City has turned the tables recently winning two of the last three meetings in Edinburg.
• Jahshire Hardnett earned WAC Player of the Week accolades on Jan. 6 after he averaged 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 rebounds in two Kansas City victories. Known as "Big Shot Hardnett" for his recent heroics, he has now poured in the game-winning three-pointer in each of the past three games with under a minute remaining.
The Starting Five
1. Kansas City is seeing success it hasn't had in recent times with the 9-7 overall record. Riding a season-long four-game win streak, the Roos have hit nine wins the fastest since the 2010-11 program also notched its ninth win in its 16th game (9-7). That unit eventually won its next game to go 10-7.
2. The current four-game win streak is the longest since a four-gamer during the 2017-18 season. The last time the Roos rattled off five-straight wins was late in the 2016-17 campaign.
3. The 2-0 start in WAC play marks the third time (2013-14, 2018-19, 2019-20) since the Roos joined the league in 2013-14 they have gone 2-0. They have never held a 3-0 start in WAC play. During the 2004-05 season, Kansas City, as members of the Mid-Continent Conference, went 9-0 to start league play.
4. Coach Donlon may have found the best starting five combination. During the current-four game win streak, the line-up 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 two players getting a team-high 15 starts (White, Nesbitt Jr.). There have been six different starting line-ups overall used this year.
5. After a 68-63 win against Utah Valley on Jan. 4, the Roos stand undefeated at home with a 6-0 mark. That is tied for the best start on their home court since the 2015-16 unit had a 6-0 home record prior to its first loss. No Kansas City team has ever gone 7-0 at home prior to its first loss in the NCAA Division I era (1986-87).
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.
• The 6-0 start is the best home start since the 2015-16 team also went 6-0 on its home court to begin the season.
Series History Notes vs UTRGV
• UTRGV leads the all-time series by a 14-12 record, including an 8-3 record at UTRGV Fieldhouse.
• In the last meeting, which took place in Kansas City on March 2, 2019, the Roos dropped a 75-70 decision. Junior Brandon McKissic compiled a game-high 20 points, while senior Rob Whitfield knocked down four treys to finish with 16 points and added four assists.
• The Vaqueros have won the last two meetings overall.
• The Roos have won two of the last three meetings on the road.
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.
• 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. 26 in total steals (133)
   - No. 45 in 3-point FG defense (.292)
   - No. 55 in steals per game (8.3)
   - No. 68 in 3-point FG percentage (.363)
   - No. 70 in turnovers forced (15.8)
   - No. 92 in FG percentage (45.8%)
   - No. 92 in total blocks (57)
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
   - Higher FG% than opponent: 8-0
   - More made FT's than opponent: 3-0
   - Allowing 60 points or less: 4-0
Going Deep
• Kansas City is riding a streak of 313-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 6.9 make's per game, which ranks third in the WAC. Kansas City recorded a season-high of 12 against Avila (11/5). 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 Utah Valley (Jan. 4)
• For the third-straight game, senior Jahshire Hardnett hit another big shot. It was Hardnett's late-game heroics that again were the difference as Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-7, 2-0) moved to 6-0 at home and needed a final push to take down Utah Valley (7-10, 1-1), 68-63, at Swinney Center.
• Hardnett swished in a three-pointer at the top of the key with 35.8 seconds remaining to put the Roos up 64-63. Four Hardnett free throws later and the Roos would win their fourth-straight game on the season. The clutch shot is becoming a norm for the BYU transfer. As some people call him "Big Shot Hardnett," he has now poured in the game-winning three-pointer in each of the past three games with under a minute remaining.
• Hardnett recorded a game-high 17 points on 4-of-9 shooting. He added two assists and two steals. In his past six games, he has averaged 15.0 points, up from his 9.2 season average.
 • Senior Jordan Giles netted 16 points, senior Javan White added 13 and senior Rob Whitfield finished with 10 in the winning effort. White led his team in rebounding for the 11th time this year with nine boards.
Players Mentioned
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