Kansas City Preview

BG's Men's Basketball is on the road for the final time until MAC play as they travel to Kansas City to play....Kansas City...formerly known as UMKC.

They are the Roos...actually, their nickname was once the Kangaroos, but they shortened it.  They have played D1 basketball since 87-88 and have never been in the MAC tourney.  During that time, they have won 42% of their games.  Their specialty for two years was ruining UT's false dreams of an at-large bid.  

BG has played the Roos twice.  UMKC won at BG in 2016, and BG beat them by 10 at the Stroh last season.

They play in the Summit League. This is the #22 ranked conference...and the MAC is #20.  Their Coach was the Summit League Coach of the Year last year and they were picked by their media and Blue Ribbon to win the conference.

The year has not unfolded like that.  They are 5-7, but that includes 4 non D1 wins.  They lost @Iowa State (6), @Creighton (42)--both tough losses--but then to American (224) and Albany (233) on neutral floors, @SEMO (293), at home to Idaho (282) and then @Montana State (131). They finally picked up their first D1 win @Portland (312).

Their kenpom has sunk from 200 to start the year to 290 right now.  They have a 56% chance of beating BG, according to kenpom and 74% according to ESPN.  There's no line yet.

They have struggled to score historically and were hoping to turn that around this year, but it has not happened.  They are #309 in adjusted offensive efficiency.  (Out of 360-something). They have a lethal combination of terrible shooting (29.5% from 3FG and 42% from 2FG....#349 overall) and 20% turnover rate, #300.  They are average on the offensive boards, #204 at getting to the line and #26 at FT shooting.  They take A LOT of 3FGs....#29 in the nation at 48%.

Very tough to win at that rate.

They are not great on defense, #225 overall.  They are among the easiest teams to shoot against, especially on 2FGs--61%, which is #351. They are actually good on 3FG defense at 32% allowed.  They do force some turnovers (#116), are average on the defensive boards (#185) and don't give up a ton of FTs (#227).  

Their leading scorer and top player is Jamar Brown, scoring 13.3 PPG and about 6 RPG game.  Menzies said he should be the Horizon Player of the Year in the pre-season.  Although he is scoring, he is also struggling.  Last year he made 55% from 2FG, this year it is 44%.  This 3FG% is good at 41%.

Anderson Kopp is their second-leading scorer at 11 PPG.  He is scooting 52% and 34%.  Jayson Petty is also scoring in double figures at 10.6 PPG, but shooting 41% on 2FG and 20% on 49 3FG attempts.  Last year, he made 52% and 30%

All stats for D1 games only.  Reminder that BG is fighting injuries.  Hopefully, there was time for the minor injuries to heal.  The game will not be on ESPN+.  It is through Midco, which some of you might already have for the CCHA package.  Otherwise, it's a month subscription of $16 or so....or the audio feed.