Panthers welcome Kangaroos for midweek clash

UMKC Kangaroos (3-4) vs. Milwaukee Panthers (3-4)
Location: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time: 7:00 p.m. CST
Broadcast: Radio – TV: Time Warner Cable SportsChannel; Radio — WISN-AM1130

After nearly falling to Division II Concordia-St. Paul last Saturday afternoon thanks to a horrendous first half offensive performance, the Milwaukee Panthers will return to the court for a midweek clash as they welcome the UMKC Kangaroos to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Wednesday evening.

Last season, this game came down to the wire, but the Panthers were able to escape with an 84-79 victory over the Kangaroos in Kansas City, Mo.

The Kangaroos will now look to return the favor as they head to Milwaukee for this nonconference battle.

Through UMKC’s first seven games they have been a surprising team, pulling off a 69-61 upset over the Missouri Tigers in their season opener, while playing extremely well against Kansas State a few weeks ago. They did fall to the Wildcats 83-73, but at one point the Kangaroos lead by 11 points.

The Kangaroos’ offense doesn’t have the same firepower they had a year ago, with five different players averaging over 10 points per contest, but they still have been challenging for opposing defenses to slow down. They are averaging 71.7 points per game on 42.4 percent shooting from the field.

Leading the offensive attack has been guard Martez Harrison, who has generated a team-high 18.3 points per contest on 41.8 percent shooting.

Akeem Springs has missed the last two games for the Panthers due to an injury, and if he is unable to go in this game, expect Milwaukee head coach Rob Jeter to place forward Trinson White into the starting lineup alongside guards Steve McWhorter and JeVon Lyle, and forwards Matt Tiby and J.J. Panoske.

Jeter has stressed since the beginning of the season that the Panthers have to develop a low post game offensively, and Milwaukee will need to make that a priority against a relatively undersized UMKC squad. Free throw shoot will also be key to the outcome of this game, something the Panthers have struggled at for the majority of the season.

If Milwaukee is able to do well in these two areas of the game, while continuing to play solid defense, they will have an excellent shot at pushing their record to an even 4-4.

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