Here they come! CBE practice shows off skills

By: David Cordill

Posted: 10/20/08

UMKC's basketball programs kicked off their pre-season with an open practice session in downtown Kansas City Friday night.

Hoopsters from the Kangaroos' women's and men's teams briefly showcased their talents in front of an eager crowd at the College Basketball Experience (CBE) inside the Sprint Center.

Women's Head Coach Candace Whitaker and men's Head Coach Matt Brown introduced their 2008-09 squads to the throng before their respective squads participated in several shooting drills.

Prior to the exhibition, UMKC Athletics Director Tim Hall addressed the crowd from center court, first praising the CBE before expounding on his vision for the UMKC Athletics Department as "one that can be mentioned in the same breath with the rest of our fabulous programs."

After his introductory comments, Hall welcomed what he termed "the new and improved Roos."

The Kangaroos' women's team hit the hardwood first, their arrival emceed by UMKC's new play-by-play radio voice Steven Davis. Flanked by her squad, coach Whitaker spoke to those in attendance about the Roo's returning players, making special note of durable senior guard Heather Wimberly, who has endured two ACL injuries in her career at UMKC.

Whitaker went through the 2008-09 schedule, which begins with an opening game in Ames, Iowa against a scary, tough bunch from Iowa State.

Concerning the latter, Whitaker said her team would likely be "playing before 12,000 screaming fans," and the players, particularly the younger ones, "will find out what Division I basketball is all about."

Later in the evening, Whitaker commented on the CBE event.

"I'm really pleased we are a part of it," she said. "It's huge to bring our team out here and celebrate college basketball."

After the women went through about 10 minutes of shooting drills, Coach Brown's men hit the floor. Brown went through his lineup with the crowd, extolling returning senior forward Dane Brumagin as "the epitome of our program" before introducing the rest of the squad.

Like Whitaker, Brown talked about the men's schedule, which features road games against the University of Kansas and the University of Florida. The Kangaroos are slated to play both of these premier basketball schools in the month of November.

"We're going to find out very early on where we are," Brown said.

The men's team put on a dunk clinic, much to the pleasure of the audience who oohed and ahhed at efforts like sophomore guard Bakari Lewis' airborne reverse slam.

Afterwards, Coach Brown spoke about the enthusiastic fan turnout.

"We had great support from the fans to come out tonight," he said. "It's a great way to kick off college basketball."

Hall was also impressed with the fan response.

"I think it was great," he said. "It exceeded our expectations."

This is the second consecutive year UMKC has taken part in a showcase at the CBE and Hall hoped for more appearances in the years to come.

"I was really honored to be invited back," he said. "I hope we can continue to do it in the future."

After the program, members of both teams branched out into the various interactive basketball venues within the CBE. Players joined in with attendees of the event to dunk, shoot free throws, and attempt three point shots inside numerous shooting cages provided in the building.

dcordill@unews.com