With this spot in Summit League preseason poll, KC Roos men make program history
The Kansas City Roos, formerly UMKC, have played Division I men’s basketball since 1987 and joined a conference about a decade later.
The Roos had never been picked to win a league title. Until now.
In a vote of league coaches and media, Kansas City received 17 of 36 first-place votes with six teams receiving at least one first vote. South Dakota State was picked to finish second.
It’s the first time the KC Roos/UMKC men’s program has been picked to win a conference. The Roos have never finished first in league play or won a conference tournament.
Coach Marvin Menzies, beginning his third year, is coming off a 16-16 season. UMKC finished second in the Summit at 10-6.
Jamar Brown, a 6-5 senior from Chandler, Arizona, was selected to the preseason all-conference team. Brown was voted the Summit’s top newcomer last season when he averaged 15.0 points and 6.1 rebounds.
The KC Roos women were picked eighth in the Summit preseason poll.
Summit League Men’s Preseason Poll
1. Kansas City (17 first-place votes) 514
2. South Dakota State (12) 474
3 .North Dakota State (3) 384
4. St. Thomas 308
5. Oral Roberts (2) 305
6. North Dakota (1) 283
7. South Dakota (1) 250
8. Omaha 159
9. Denver 158
Women’s Preseason Poll
1. South Dakota State (34) 562
2. Oral Roberts (1) 479
3. North Dakota State (1) 427
4. South Dakota 363
5. St. Thomas 336
6. Denver 220
7. North Dakota 188
8. Kansas City 144
9. Omaha 116