MBB Set to Face Omaha in Weekend Tilt

Five Things to Know

After a week of recuperation, Kansas City (7-10) welcomes Omaha to Kansas City for the first time since 2016 for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.
Arkel Lamar has shown his value in his first four games with the Roos, averaging 12.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. He earned his first two starts of the season against North Dakota State, scoring in double digits in both games.
With the highest field goal percentage in the Summit League (51.4%), the Roos do not give their opponents much opportunity to crash the glass. Teams facing KC average just 29.6 rebounds per game, the lowest in the Summit by 1.5 boards.
What Kansas City takes away; it shares amongst itself. The Roos lead the Summit League in steals per game (8.24) and assists per game (15.82) by over 1.5 in each category. KC is 43rd in Division One in steals per game and 51st in assists per game.
In a hectic year, the Roos' opponents have been forced to expect the unexpected. Billy Donlon has used nine different starting lineups throughout the season, and not a single player has seen a start in every game. Josiah Allick and Zion Williams are the most common starters with 15 each.

Last Time Out: W, 49-47 vs. NDSU, 1/30/20

Williams led Kansas City with 12 points as the Roos held on against North Dakota State 49-47, despite being without Brandon McKissic and Josiah Allick.
The Roos' 49 points in their victory against NDSU was their lowest point total in a win so far this year.
Lamar nearly had a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 9 rebounds.
KC led by one at halftime, 28-27, and held on through a tough defensive performance from both sides.

Last Time vs. Omaha: L, 75-80, 12/15/16

LaVell Boyd's 27 points were not enough as the Roos dropped their home opener against Omaha 80-75.
Kansas City led by three at halftime, but a high-scoring second half by the Mavericks led Omaha to victory
Omaha shot 52% from the field, including 60% from the three-point line, in the second half.
Isaiah Ross had 14 points, including three three-pointers.

Series History vs. Omaha: Omaha leads, 5-2

This will be the eighth meeting between Kansas City and Omaha. The Roos have lost two straight games to the Mavericks.
Their first meeting was a 77-74 win for the Roos on 11/16/11.
The lowest scoring game between them is a 67-59 win for Omaha on 1/26/13.
Both of Kansas City's wins have come at home.

Omaha Scouting Report

Omaha comes in with a 2-16 record on the season, including an 0-8 record in conference play. Their wins have come against Middle Tennessee and SIU-Edwardsville.
Marlon Ruffin is the Mavericks' leading scorer with 13.1 points per game. His season high is 24 in a loss to Oral Roberts.
Matt Pile is nearly averaging a double-double on the season: 9.9 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game. Pile collected 16 rebounds in their loss to Western Illinois last Saturday.
Omaha is shooting 41.7% from the field collectively and allowing 47.4% to their opponents.

University of Missouri Kansas City Athletics