Men's Basketball Returns Home for SIUE, Idaho State

After a successful trip to the Gulf Coast Showcase that saw Kansas City go 2-1 and make a championship game appearance, the Roos return home for games against SIUE and Idaho State.
After a zero-point performance against Kansas State on Nov. 17, RayQuawndis Mitchell took over throughout the Gulf Coast Showcase. He was the Roos' leading scorer in two-of-three games, including a career-high 35-point outburst against Toledo and a 29-point showing in the finals against FGCU. He scored 82 points total across the three games, setting the tournament record for points scored and earning a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Allen David Mukeba Jr. has been a key addition for the Roos' front court. The transfer from Colby CC has two double-doubles, leads the team in rebounds and blocks and ranks second in steals and assists.
Kansas City's size has played to its advantage thus far, as the Roos are one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. They ranks 61st in Division One, averaging 39.88 rebounds per game. Additionally, they are 27th in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 13.88. The Roos convert those offensive rebounds into 14.0 second chance points per game.
Kansas City has taken advantage of the free throw line to begin the year, averaging 13.9 free throw makes and 19.4 free throw attempts per game. The team's 71.6% free throw percentage would be the best by a Kansas City team since the 2007-08 season.

SIUE Notes

SIUE enters Saturday's contest with a 4-2 record, and are coming off a 3-0 weekend at the JK54 Classic in Farmville, Va., beating Farleigh Dickinson, VMI and Longwood.
The Roos and Cougars played most recently last season, with SIUE taking a 60-56 victory. Evan Gilyard II led KC with 19 points, while Anderson Kopp and Josiah Allick provided 14 each. SIUE was led by Ray'Sean Taylor with 14.
SIUE has played in the Swinney Center one time, on Nov. 24, 2010. The Roos took the victory in that game, 82-64 behind 26 points from Jay Couisnard.
The Cougars are good at getting to the free throw line, averaging 19.2 makes and 25.0 attempts per game. Both of those marks are top-25 in the nation.
Shamar and Lamar Wright make up a defensive duo for the Cougars. Lamar averages 1.5 blocks per game, 96th in DI. Shamar averages 2.33 steals per game, 53rd in DI.

Idaho State Notes

The Bengals are in their second year of leadership under head coach Ryan Looney, and are currently 1-4 but will play Bethune-Cookman and Central Arkansas before Tuesday's game.
KC picked up its first-ever win in four attempts against ISU last season, a 74-58 victory. Evan Gilyard II scored a then-career-high 30 points, his first of five 30-point games on the season.
The Bengals played at the Swinney Center once on Nov. 29, 2009, a 68-65 win for Idaho State.
The Bengals are unafraid to shoot the three, averaging 29.4 attempts per game which ranks 10th in the nation. They make 10.0 threes per game, ranking 30th in Division One.
Brock Mackenzie and Jared Rodriguez are the team's leading three-point shooters, averaging 2.2 makes per game.

University of Missouri Kansas City Athletics