Men's Basketball Back in Action at Denver, Omaha

at Denver (WATCH | STATS)
at Omaha (WATCH | STATS)

Starting Five

The Roos bagged a Summit League-opening win in dominant fashion over South Dakota before Winter Storm Elliott delayed the game against South Dakota State. KC takes to the road for games against Denver and Omaha, looking to stay undefeated in conference play. Over the past five years, the Roos have a 0-5 record in league road openers. The last time KC won their first conference road game came as a member of the WAC in 2016-17, defeating Seattle U.
With his 28-point performance against the Coyotes, RayQuawndis Mitchell upped his season scoring average to 17.5, ranking second in the Summit and 84th in the nation. Mitchell has scored 20-plus points four times, with the Roos posting a 3-1 record in such games. When Mitchell knocks down three-or-more threes, the Roos are 3-2.
Kansas City blocked a season-high seven shots against South Dakota, the most by a Kansas City team since posting seven in a 91-82 win over Western Illinois on Feb. 5 of last season. The Roos already have three games with six-plus blocks this year, the most in a single season since 2019-20.
One of the best teams in the nation in creating second chance opportunities, the Roos pull down an average of 14.21 offensive boards per game. That mark ranks first in the Summit and eighth in Division One. KC is led by Allen David Mukeba Jr. and Jeff Ngandu on the offensive boards, averaging 2.43 and 3.14 per game, respectively.
With a win in either of the games this weekend, Marvin Menzies will collect the 250th win of his head coaching career in his 13th season. Currently, exactly 100 active head coaches in Division One have eclipsed the 250-win mark. Of the 100, only two (Leon Rice, Boise State; Michael White, Georgia) have coached 13-or-fewer seasons.

Denver Notes

In its second year under the direction of Jeff Wilbrun, Denver enters Thursday with a 9-5 record but has lost four of its last five games.
The Roos have a 7-3 edge in the all-time series, but are 1-2 in games played in the Mile High City. KC's lone win at Denver came last season, a 72-61 victory on Jan. 27, 2022.
In the Jan. 27 win, four Roos scored in double digits, led by 23 points from Evan Gilyard II.
The Pioneers have one of the best field goal percentages in the entire country, knocking down shots at a 52.2% rate. That mark trails only Arizona nationally.
Tommy Bruner averages 15.3 points per game to lead Denver. He also averages 4.6 assists per game, ranking second in the Summit League.

Omaha Notes

In its first year under the guidance of Head Coach Chris Crutchfield, Omaha is off to a 5-8 start this season, defeating Denver 83-66 in its league opener. The Mavs will take on Oral Roberts on Thursday before Saturday's game.
The Roos trail 5-6 in the all-time series between the two teams, and have never won a game in Omaha. The Mavs have won all four meetings on the road, including a 69-68 decision on Jan. 29 of last season.
The Mavericks have a number of players who can step up on any given day, resulting in an average of 23.54 bench points per game. That number ranks second in the Summit League.
Marquel Sutton and Frankie Fidler both average double-digit scoring, putting up 11.8 and 11.6 points per game, respectively.

Men's Basketball Back in Action at Denver, Omaha

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Evan Gilyard II

RayQuawndis Mitchell

Allen David Mukeba Jr.

Jeff Ngandu

Men's Basketball Back in Action at Denver, Omaha

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Evan Gilyard II

RayQuawndis Mitchell

Allen David Mukeba Jr.

Jeff Ngandu

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University of Missouri Kansas City Athletics