The SIUE Cougars return home tonight after a respectable showing against Purdue on national television a week ago (I thought it was respectable enough) to take on the University of Missouri at Kansas City Kangaroos. (Who according to a source are staying at the Marriot in Union Station for this game,) hard to imagine they spent Christmas there after their game a week ago at Saint Louis University, but that’s where they are. Probably liked it too much.
The Roo’s have played a rather pedestrian schedule. SIUE is their fourth oponent they will have played inelligible for the NCAA Tournament, the others being North Dakota, (W: 70-63) Houston Baptist (W: 102-87) and Central Arkansas, (W: 78-67) as well as two wins over Division two schools (Lincoln (Mo.) and Truman State.) UND, HBU and UCA are all bottom-50 RPI teams, and none of their wins really stick out.
All in all, UMKC is a very beatable team for the Cougars, who have moved up 21 spots in the RPI to 308 at 2-10 while UMKC enters at 4-5 and number 261.
Last time out, the Roo’s gave a much-improved Saint Louis University Billikins team a battle at Chaifetz Arena, going into the break tied at 25 before losing by seven. Trey McKinney scored 18 and had six rebounds to lead the team in an attempt to pull a major upset against SLU, a team which started the year hot outside of Atlantic Ten play with impressive victories over Nebraska, SIU Carbondale and Belmont.
Exactly a year ago, the Cougars beat the Kangaroos 77-71 at Kemper Arena behind a 24 point effort off the bench by Aaron Garriott, who is no longer with the team. As far as how tonight’s projected starters faired points-wise in that game to get an idea of what we may see tonight: Yelovich (9) Bundalo (14) McCleary (6) Jones (2) Bowles (2).
Last year’s UMKC squad went 7-24, and just 3-15 in the Summit, so they are looking to be a little bit improved this time around, and I expect they will be. SIUE’s record may not indicate it, but all signs point to an also-better squad than last season. Remember, SIUE was a couple of breaks from victories against Lipscomb, IPFW and Ball State.
It’s not horseshoes, and it’s not handgrenades, but there is no NCAA tournament at the end of the road, so almost gets an honorable mention today.
What should the Cougars be looking for tonight? Thankfully not Dane Brumagin, the senior forward who led the Roos with 34 points in last season’s game.
They have a trio of guys averaging in double-figures, Jay Coisnard is their biggest offensive weapon (14.2 ppg) with Latrese Mushatt (11.8 ppg) and Jones (11.1 ppg) following up.
The Kangaroos are not the most inept rebounding team, their highest glass cleaner averages just over 5 a game, the team just under 30 (29.9 RPG)
And Statistically, here is how it breaks down.
PPG FG% FT% 3P% RPG
UMKC 69.8 46.0 68.1 29.9
SIUE 61.4 42.0 69.0 33.0
So a fairly even battle, Cougars have played the tougher schedule out of the two teams, and with this one at home it is going to be a real trap game for the Kangaroos. My money is on SIUE to move to 3-10 on the season, keep in mind UMKC may possibly be looking ahead to their game Wednsesday at Missouri.
Game time is at 7:00, hope to see a packed Vadalabene Center, I will be attending as a fan instead of a journalist for this one, first time I have been able to do that for a while, so I am looking forward to it and being biased.
Allan Lewis
Alestle Sports Editor.
AlestleLive Sports Blog 