Notes: KC Takes on NDSU in Conference Home Opener

Thursday, January 8

Kansas City, Mo.

7:00 PM

Kansas City

North Dakota State

1/7/2026 10:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball

The Roos and Bison will tip off tomorrow at 7 p.m.

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Kansas City Notes

Kansas City Men's Basketball is back in action following its first road win of the season, taking on North Dakota State in the first Swinney Center game of league play. Going back to the start of Head Coach Marvin Menzies' tenure, the Roos hold a 3-0 record in conference home openers.
Karmello Branch continued his recent scoring tear in Kansas City's win over Omaha, going for a game-high 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding 4-of-5 shooting from three and a 6-of-6 mark from the charity stripe. Branch has led Kansas City in scoring in five consecutive games, going for 20-plus points in three of those five.
The Roos made use of ball control against the Mavericks, forcing Omaha into 15 turnovers, four above their season average. KC converted those turnovers into 12 points while committing just seven turnovers of their own and limiting the Mavs to just two points off turnovers.
Chris Dockery went for his second-straight double-double, going for 13 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. With three double-doubles on the season, Dockery is tied with Jerome Palm for the most on the team and in the Summit League. In KC's four wins this year, Dockery is averaging 8.0 points and 9.8 rebounds.
For the first time this season and the eighth time in Coach Menzies' tenure, the Roos found a way to win a game in which they were out-rebounded. Previously, KC was 0-10 this season when losing the battle of the boards.

North Dakota State Notes

North Dakota State enters Thursday's game with a 12-5 record, opening Summit League play with wins over South Dakota and Oral Roberts. NDSU is 3-4 on the road this season.
Damari Wheeler-Thomas and Markhi Strickland average 14.5 and 14.1 points per game, respectively. The duo each rank top-10 in the Summit in scoring average.
NDSU boasts the best scoring defense in the Summit League and top-100 in the nation, allowing just 70.1 points per game.
The Bison own an 18-8 all-time advantage over KC. Five of the Roos' eight wins have come on their home court.
NDSU has won five-straight over the Roos. Kansas City's last win came on Jan. 21, 2023.