SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After taking 10 days off for finals, the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team returns to competition when the Cardinals host the University of Missouri-Kansas City to the McDermott Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16.
 
FIRST TIP
 
The Cardinals and 'Roos have only met one time prior, and it was an instant classic, as UIW came into the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium and defeated UMKC, 110-104, in triple overtime on Dec. 20, 2014. Freshman Jontrell Walker and senior Denzel Livingston combined for 58 points.
 
SCOUTING THE UMKC KANGAROOS
 
207-18: 3-8 overall, 0-0 WAC
Last Game: L 88-69 at NC State (12/9)
Head Coach: Kareem Richardson
Key Players:
#10 Broderick Robinson – 11 GP, 12.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 21 ASTS, 20 STLS
#00 Xavier Bishop – 11 GP, 11.0 PPG, 35 ASTS, 11 STLS
#10 Aleer Leek – 11 GP, 5.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 17 BLKS, 7 STLS
Summary: UMKC has lost three straight and five of its last six contests, following an 88-69 defeat at NC State on Dec. 9. Aleer Leek led the 'Roos with 15 points and three blocks against the Wolfpack.
 
On the season, Broderick Robinson is 9th in the WAC with 12.6 points per game, while he's 11th with 5.2 rebounds per contest. Leer's 1.5 blocked shots per game ranks him fourth in the conference, as he has half of the team's 32 blocks. As a team, UMKC is seventh in scoring margin (-5.4) and last in rebounding margin (-9.3).
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2017-18: 4-3 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: W 91-63 vs. Texas Lutheran (12/6)
Head Coach: Ken Burmeister
Key Players:
#3 Simi Socks – 7 GP, 14.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 6 BLKS, 83.3 FT%
#4 Christian Peevy – 7 GP, 12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 6 BLKS, 60.5 FG%
#41 Shawn Johnson – 7 GP, 10.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 19 ASTS, 21 STLS, 10 BLKS
Summary: UIW snapped a three-game skid with a convincing 91-63 win over Texas Lutheran on Dec. 5, led by Keaton Hervey's career-high 17 points. Christian Peevy came off the bench to score 15 and tie the game high of seven rebounds with Simi Socks.
 
The Cardinals return to the hardwood for the first time in 10 days due to finals. It marks the red and black's final home game in 2017, as the Cardinals don't return to the McDermott Center until a Southland Conference clash with Sam Houston on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 3 p.m.
 
On the season, both Devin Wyatt and Shawn Johnson are T-5th in the Southland Conference with 1.5 blocked shots per game. The Cardinals as a team are fourth in NCAA Division I with 7.1 blocked shots per game, trailing only Michigan State, Louisville, and Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have 7.5 BPG, but have played in five more contests than UIW. The Cardinals are swatting as a team, with no individual player ranked in the NCAA Top 50 and four players with five or more blocks. Johnson's 2.9 steals per game ranks him second in the conference and T-6th in D1. As a team, UIW is 35th in the NCAA with 8.4 steals per game. In the conference, UIW is sixth with a +4.6 scoring margin and last with a -5.3 rebounding margin.
 
UP NEXT

UIW makes a quick turnaround to face UTEP on Glory Road on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. CT.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals play at No. 22 Florida on Friday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

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