The UMKC men’s basketball squad announced its 2015-16 schedule on Thursday. The ‘Roos enter their third season under head coach Kareem Richardson, and third year in the Western Athletic Conference.
The ‘Roos had a banner year last season, finishing second in the WAC and earning the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, both matching the highest ever at UMKC, and best since 2004-05. Martez Harrison was named an honorable mention AP All-American, the first ever in program history, as well as the WAC Player of the Year, the second time a ‘Roo has earned that honor.
“We have an extremely challenging schedule loaded with postseason caliber teams this year,” Richardson said. “Our goal is always to play a schedule that will get us ready for conference play.”
The 2015-16 regular season opens on Friday, Nov. 13 at Minnesota, while the home opener takes place two days later against William Jewell. In addition to the Golden Gophers, the ‘Roos also play at fellow Big 10 member Iowa on Dec. 5. Other “Power Five” conference schools include Louisville (ACC), who they play in the Billy Minardi Classic in Louisville, and Oklahoma State (Big 12) on the road.
UMKC’s marquee home matchup takes place on Dec. 12 at Municipal Auditorium against Mississippi State (SEC) and new head coach Ben Howland.
The Kangaroos will play all 14 home games at Municipal, a place where they had record success a year ago. They posted a 6-1 home mark in WAC games, setting the mark for the best conference home record in school history. The ‘Roos will get to host former Summit League rival South Dakota State on Nov. 28, as well as UT-Martin a few days later on Dec. 1.
WAC play begins January 7 at home against Seattle, with Bakersfield coming in two days later. The WAC postseason tournament once again takes place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas from March 10-12.
Full list of game times and televised contests will be announced at a later date. Every game will be available via audio broadcast with play-by-play man Steven Davis on UMKCKangaroos.com, via live statistics, and on twitter at @UMKCMensHoops.
Season ticket packages are now on sale, for more information call 844-UMKC-FAN or go online to UMKCKangaroos.com/tickets.
2015-16 UMKC Kangaroos Men’s Basketball Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time (Central)
Mon., Nov. 9 Hawaii Pacific (Exhibition) Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 13 at Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. TBA
Sun., Nov. 15 William Jewell Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 6:05 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 17 at Omaha Omaha, Neb. 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 21 at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 25 Lincoln (Mo.) Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 28 South Dakota State Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 12:05 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 1 UT-Martin Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 5 at Iowa Iowa City, Iowa TBA
Tues., Dec. 8 at South Dakota Vermillion, S.D. TBA
Sat., Dec. 12 Mississippi State Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) TBA (DH)
Sat., Dec. 19 Rockhurst Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) TBA (DH)
Tues., Dec. 22 at Louisville Louisville, Ky. TBA
Wed., Dec. 23 vs. UNC-Wilmington Louisville, Ky. TBA
Tues., Dec. 29 at Oklahoma State Stillwater, Okla. TBA
Sat., Jan. 2 at USC-Upstate Spartanburg, S.C. TBA
Thurs., Jan. 7 Seattle* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 9 CSU-Bakersfield* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 6:05 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 14 at New Mexico State* Las Cruces, N.M. TBA
Sat., Jan. 16 at UTRGV* Edinburg, Texas TBA
Thurs., Jan. 21 Utah Valley* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 23 Grand Canyon* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) 6:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 30 Chicago State* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) TBA
Thurs., Feb. 4 at CSU-Bakersfield* Bakersfield, Calif. TBA
Sat., Feb. 6 at Seattle* Seattle, Wash. TBA
Sat., Feb. 13 UTRGV* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) TBA
Thurs., Feb. 18 at Grand Canyon* Phoenix, Ariz. TBA
Sat., Feb. 20 at Utah Valley* Orem, Utah TBA
Sat., Feb. 27 New Mexico State* Kansas City, Mo. (Muni) TBA
Sat., Mar. 5 at Chicago State* Chicago, Ill. TBA
Mar. 10-12 WAC Tournament Las Vegas, Nev. TBA
* – WAC contest
Home games are in bold and will be played at Municipal Auditorium (Muni)
Doubleheaders with UMKC women’s team (DH)