UMKC returns home looking to quell four-game skid

The men’s basketball team from UMKC has dropped four games in a row for the first time this season, but a return to Municipal Auditorium offers happier returns.

After the UMKC men’s basketball team (3-9) lost their annual game at Swinney Recreation Center to South Dakota, the Roos took on an even greater challenge. A three-game road trip that stretched from nearby Cape Girardeau, Mo. to Raleigh, N.C. and San Antonio, Texas unfortunately produced similar results for UMKC. The Roos now return home for their next three contests. Fans are hopeful that the comforts of home will produce better results.

The road trip began with a short jaunt to the home court of the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State (6-5) on Dec. 6, and the game showed UMKC’s ability to erase double-digit deficits. On two occasions during the second half, the Roos turned what had been a 12-point Redhawk advantage into a lead of a mere point. UMKC was never able to get the buckets it needed to secure a lead. Southeast Missouri State claimed its fifth victory of the season 91-87.

Three days later, UMKC head coach Kareem Richardson met up with his former co-worker Kevin Keatts. Keatts is in his first season at the helm of the Wolfpack of North Carolina State (8-3). The pair were assistants together under former Louisville head coach Rick Pitino.

N.C. State took a page from South Dakota’s playbook and matched the Roos’ uptempo game, running to an 88-69 victory. The final game of the road trip was a much more competitive affair.

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Against the Cardinals of Incarnate Word (5-3) on Dec. 16, UMKC got out to an early lead and was able to contend with Incarnate throughout the first half. Like the Redhawks, the Cardinals held off a furious comeback attempt by the Roos in the second half that brought the difference in the score to three points. When the clock hit all zeros, Incarnate held a 77-73 advantage.

Reason for optimism

Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism for UMKC as it returns to Municipal is the contribution of its bench during the three-game road trip. Roo reserves scored 92 points total in the three games, accounting for 40 percent of UMKC’s scoring overall. The pace of UMKC’s game dictates that the Roos go deep into their rotation. Being able to do so without a drop-off in performance is crucial. It looks like that depth is developing.

Individual leaders from the three-game road trip included sophomore guard Xavier Bishop, who accumulated 54 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals. Bishop’s 25 points, including going 5-for-10 from 3-point range, against Incarnate Word represented a new individual season high.

Like the UMKC women’s team, the Roos will play on Tuesday, Dec. 19, to celebrate Kansas City Day in their new uniforms designed in collaboration with Charlie Hustle.

UMKC’s opponent on the night will be Central Michigan (8-2). The Roos will follow that contest with a home game against South Dakota State (9-5) on Friday, Dec. 22, before playing their last contest of calendar year 2017 on Thursday, Dec. 28 against NAIA school Avila (6-5) at Municipal as well.

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A three-game winning streak would be great way for the Roos to end 2017. Especially coming off a four-game stretch of losses. If UMKC can continue to get contributions up and down its roster, they could ring in 2018 with a lot of momentum.