Spring Break
Season looks up for men's basketball
David Jordan
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: Sports
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Last year was a year most Kangaroo fans won't soon forget.
The men had the worst season in UMKC history, 7-24.
However, Head Coach Matt Brown, his staff and his team look to change things.
Their hopes for the season include a 24-7 record and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
"The ultimate goal is to go to the NCAA tournament," Brown said. "The school has been Division-1 for 21 years and they've never been to the NCAA tournament for post-season, so that's the ultimate goal - to get a little better each day and hopefully win some basketball games."
One of three team captains, junior forward Spencer Johnson, is very confident about this season.
"I'm very optimistic about this up and coming season," Johnson said. "I'm very excited, we're looking forward to doing a lot better this season."
Johnson had strong bonds to former UMKC players Reggie Hamilton, James Humphrey and Fred Ford, who left the team last year for personal reasons.
He has not lost that connection with them, but looks to move forward.
"Those three were my real good friends," Johnson said. "We had a real close relationship with the time of them being here at UMKC and I will remain friends with those guys, but I think I have to stay more focused with my team now."
The team has reloaded with freshman talent that should make an immediate impact.
As Dick Vitale says, those "diaper dandies" are Alex Bazzell, Kirk Korver (younger brother of Kyle Korver of the Utah Jazz), Fred Chatmon and Max Rockman.
"Those four are real good freshmen," Johnson said. "They came a long way since the beginning of the summer. You can already see the maturity in those three."
Bazzell is a great combo guard. He can handle the rock and shoot the three.
The last name of Korver speaks for itself. He's a flat-out shooter, with a 6-foot-7-inch frame that might be helpful in the post to grab some boards.
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