Roo-membering: 2021-2022 Men’s Basketball

With the college basketball season approaching, it’s crucial to not only look to the future of our men’s basketball program, but to also remember previous teams and their accomplishments. 

  Just last season the team claimed 19 victories, only two short of the school record for Division 1 wins in a season. Former head coach Billy Donlon led the team through gutsy triumphs, highlighted by the impressive dismantling of Mizzou on their home court for their first win. 

  Kansas City controlled the game throughout. Graduate guard Evan Gilyard II torched the Tigers, posting a game-high 28 points on six of eight shooting from behind the arc. He hit five three-pointers in the first eight minutes of the final frame, sparking a 14-point blowout with his fiery marksmanship. His flames fueled the rest of the team, and the Roos took home the statement win. 

  Last season, much like the sport itself, was a game of stretches. The Roos reeled off multiple winning streaks coming off of losses, including a couple of four-game winning streaks separated by a single loss. 

  The beginning of this run saw the Roos overcoming adversity in conference play. Coming off of a 2-3 start in the Summit League, the Roos’ headed into a game against conference rival North Dakota State with more than a chip on their shoulder. Ending the game on a significant scoring run, the Roos took down the Bison. The Roos continued their season looking to improve upon their .500 conference record.

  Kansas City would go on to finish the season 19-12. They rebounded strongly in conference play, closing out with an astounding 12-6 conference record after starting the season 2-3. 

  Gilyard led the team with 16.7 points per game while dishing out 3.29 assists per contest. Guard Marvin Nesbitt Jr. smothered defenders, averaging 1.42 steals and 0.87 blocks per game, both leading the team while only standing 6’4”. 

  Unfortunately, the Roos would go on to lose in the first round of the Summit League Championship. Poor shooting nights across the board led the Roos to fall to the South Dakota Coyotes by 74-61. Though they didn’t have postseason success, this team’s contributions to Kansas City’s history can’t be overlooked.

  While there will be turnover from last year, some familiar faces will return. Guards Timothy Barnes, Sam Martin, Shemarri Allen, and Anderson Kopp make up the holdovers. Coach Donlon handed the reins to new head coach Marvin Menzies, who will bring years of experience to a young roster. Eyes facing forward, the 2022-2023 Roos will try to create their own legacy. 

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