Kangaroos Head to Columbus to Face No. 3 Ohio State

The 'Roos head to Columbus, Ohio to play #3 Ohio State in their last of four guaranteed games from the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Friday (they also had Seton Hall included as a campus site game). The game, being broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network, will be the first game UMKC has faced a ranked opponent since falling to No. 20 Michigan State on Dec. 19, 2011. The Buckeyes are the highest ranked opponent the 'Roos have faced since playing No. 3 Kansas on Jan. 5, 2011 (lost 99-52). The highest ranked team UMKC has ever faced is No. 2 Kansas on Dec. 12, 1992.

In UMKC’s previous two games sophomore point guard Estan Tyler scored a career-best 17 points against Albany, then followed with 15 against Norfolk State, earning Hall of Fame Tip-Off All-Tournament team honors. Kirk Korver put up his second consecutive game over 15 points (16) vs. Albany, the first time he has ever done that in his career. It was only his fourth career game with 15 or more points. In the win over Norfolk State, he 'Roos attempted 29 free throws, the most since attempting 31 in the season-opener of last season against Northwest Missouri State.

Ohio State enters the contest with a 3-0 overall record after winning the Hall of Fame Tip-Off with victories over Rhode Island and Washington. The Buckeyes are 56-3 at home the last four seasons, with all three losses coming to ranked opponents.

They are led by current Big Ten Player of the Week and Tip-Off Tournament MVP Deshaun Thomas, who is averaging 25.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Aaron Craft starts at the point, and averages 17.0 points and five assists per contest, while Lenzelle Smith, Jr. is putting up 11.0 points and five boards a game.

As a team the Buckeyes average 76.0 points and allow 61.3 per game, while shooting 49.4 percent. They +5.0 in turnover margin as well.

If UMKC could pull off the upset it would be the first win against a ranked opponent in school history and first win over a Big Ten team ever (besides being the biggest win in school history).

Kansas City will open conference play with IUPUI coming to town next Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. The contest will be televised on KSMO in Kansas City.

The 'Roos are 11-20 all-time against the Jaguars, but won the last meeting at home by a 64-62 margin. UMKC has won the last two meetings at home. Last season the two split the series 1-1.