The Kangaroos are 7-4 (0-2 in the Summit League) with a loss at Wichita State. The Kangaroos return 2 starters from last season (a squad that posted a 12-18 overall record, including a 6-12 mark in the Summit League). The Kangaroos are projected to finish 9th in the Summit League.
The Kangaroos are lead by F's Jay Couisnard and Spencer Johnson and G's Bakari Lewis and Reggie Chamberlain. Couisnard is averaging 16 points/game (leads the team), 5 rebounds/game and 1 assist/game. Couisnard lead the team in scoring last season but head coach Matt Brown would like to see him improve his shooting from the free-throw line (72 percent) and the field (40 percent). That hasn't happened as his current free-throw shooting percentage is 65% but his field goal shooting percentage is up slightly to 44%.
Johnson is averaging 11 points/game, 9 rebounds/game (leads the team) and 1 assist/game.Johnson, a 6'6" senior forward, finished fourth on the team in scoring last season (9 points/game) and first in rebounding (6). Brown expects him to reach double figures in scoring and be among the team's top rebounders. He currently scores 11 points/game and leads the team in rebounding.
Lewis is averaging 10 points/game, 2 rebounds/game and 3 assists/game (leads the team). Chamberlain is averaging 10 points/game, 3 rebounds/game and 2 assists/game. Lewis and Chamberlain share the backcourt. Chamberlain is a transfer from Wichita State.
With two starters returning and the expected help from Chamberlain, UMKC should be able to move up the Summit standings. Maybe not to the top three, but the upper division is a possibility. Most of the nonconference games are winnable, giving UMKC a chance to get off to a fast start going into the conference season. The late-season games could help determine if Brown can break through with his first winning season.
