MOSCOW, Idaho– The Vandal men's basketball team hits the road for a midweek matchup with the Kansas City Roos in Kansas City, Missouri. The meeting is part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge and tips off at 5 p.m. PST.
How to Follow
Idaho vs. Kansas City // Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. PST
Watch: Summit League Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Listen: The Varsity Network or
GoVandals.com/Listen
Notables
The Vandal attack continues to be driven through the three point ball, as Idaho ranks 69th in the nation in threes per game at 9.4, and third in the Big Sky in three point percentage, converting 36.4 of their attempts from beyond the arc. Following their win over UC Riverside, the Vandals have now made five or more threes in 21 straight games.
Tyler Mrus has led Idaho in this effort, attempting 22.8 percent of the Vandals threes, and scoring 2.86 threes per game on 42.6 percent shooting, a mark that ranks third best in the Big Sky.
Jack Payne continues to contribute for the Vandals in his team leading 206 minutes in 2024. The Boise native ranks fourth in the conference with 1.8 steals per game and has pulled down the second most rebounds per game on the team at 4.9.
Idaho has maintained a large contribution off of the bench, with 28.4 points per game coming from non-starters, second best in the Big Sky.
Last Time Out
Idaho secured their third win of the season on Saturday over UC Riverside, 80-68.
The Vandal offense was led by Kristian Gonzales with a 24-point career-high performance, the most by a Vandal this season. Kolton Mitchell added a season high 16 points to the board, while Kyson Rose tallied a team-leading seven rebounds and five assists.
Scouting the Roos
Kansas City enters the clash 4-5 coming off a loss to Southeast Missouri State, 59-80. The Roos have faced two ranked opponents in their first nine games, as well as four matchups with non-Division 1 teams.
To this point, Kansas City has one of the best defenses in the nation, ranking top 30 in points allowed, scoring margin, and steals. The Roos are only allowing 61.1 points per game, winning by an average of 18.7 points, and grabbing 10.6 steals per game, a mark that is 14th best in Division 1.
Jamar Brown leads the Roos, scoring 15.3 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, and averaging 2 steals per game. The senior from Chandler, Ariz. is Kansas City's best threat from beyond the arc, converting 39 percent of his three point attempts. Brown has dropped 20 points three times in his five appearances in 2024, missing the last four games. Jayson Petty and Anderson Kopp supplement the Roos' attack, adding 13.6 and 12.9 points per game respectively.
The Roos finished the 2023-24 season 10-6 in conference and 16-16 overall. Kansas City brought in seven transfers and two true freshmen for the current season, returning eight. The Roos were selected to finish first in the Summit League preseason poll after a runner up regular season campaign a year ago.
Series History Vs. Kansas City
The Vandals hold a 2-1 record over the Roos. The two teams have not met since the 2013-14 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament, where Idaho pulled out a three point victory in a tight quarterfinal, 73-70.
Up Next
Idaho heads back to the west coast to face off against Oregon State on Saturday Dec. 7., tip off is slated for 2 p.m. PST.
Follow
Fans can follow the Vandals all season long on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @VandalHoops, and with the Voice of the Vandals, Dennis Patchin, at GoVandals.com/Listen. All home and conference contests will be streamed live through ESPN+.
