Kansas City Set for Nationally Televised Battle with Jackrabbits

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Kansas City looks to take on South Dakota State on Thursday evening in a match up that will be nationally broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The Roos will seek back-to-back wins on the road for the first time this season and the first time since defeating North Dakota State and Western Illinois last year, when the Roos defeated both teams but had a four-game home stand in between. Kansas City is looking to win two-straight with both games being on the road for the first time since defeating NDSU and North Dakota on Feb. 17 and 19 of 2022.
In Kansas City's recent win over Omaha, the Mavericks out-shot KC from the field, 51.0% to 44.6%. This marked the first time this season that the Roos won a game despite shooting at a lower percentage from the field than their opponent, as the Roos were previously 0-11 in such games. That was made possible in part because of 11-of-25 (44.0%)three-point shooting by Kansas City, moving the team to 4-0 when shooting above 40% from long range.
The Roos were able to stop a trend in the win over the Mavericks, tallying their first win of the season when allowing over 70 points. The Roos are now 1-10 in such games, but are 8-2 when the offense scores over 70 points.
Entering his KC career as a shooting guard, Babacar Diallo has made the switch to the point guard position, starting in each of the Roos' last four games. He has shown a knack for the position, averaging 6.0 assists and a 6.0 assist-to-turnover ratio in that period. Comparatively, he was averaging just 1.0 assists per game in his first 13 appearances this year.
Jamar Brown was the hero in Saturday's win, knocking down the game-winning shot with just 14 seconds remaining. It was the Roos' first go-ahead game-winning field goal in the final 15 seconds of a game since Jahshire Hardnett knocked down a three-pointer with two seconds remaining in KC's 78-75 win over South Dakota on Dec. 22, 2019.

South Dakota State Notes

South Dakota State was selected in the preseason poll as the top team in the Summit League, and stand alone atop the standings five games into league play at 4-1.
The Jackrabbits enter Thursday's game on a two-game winning streak, including a 73-55 drubbing of in-state rival South Dakota last Saturday.
The Roos look to pick up their first win against SDSU since Nov. 28, 2015 and snap a nine-game Jackrabbit winning streak in the series.
SDSU has beaten the Roos in nine-straight in Brookings, with the last KC win coming in 63-58 fashion on Jan. 27, 2011.
The Roos lost both games to the Jackrabbits last season, including a 67-66 decision at Swinney on Jan. 30 that saw a last second Shemarri Allen layup attempt run just off the mark.
SDSU knocks down the 63rd-most three-pointers in all of college basketball, averaging 8.7 per game.
Preseason Player of the Year Zeke Mayo leads the Jacks offensively, averaging 18.5 points per game.

Kansas City Set for Nationally Televised Battle with Jackrabbits

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Shemarri Allen

Jamar Brown

Babacar Diallo

Kansas City Set for Nationally Televised Battle with Jackrabbits

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Shemarri Allen

Jamar Brown

Babacar Diallo

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