There’s a brand new coming, and it’s on Rockhill; Slammin‘ and Jammin’ and Shooting the Pill.

So goes the rap song “The New Coming” by Missouri-Kansas City forward and amateur rapper Baxter Russell, who reportedly writes a new rap after every Kangaroo basketball game.

Watch out Run-DMC – if Russell doesn’t realize his lifelong dream of playing professional basketball, the 6-5 senior might consider a career as a recording artist. Then again..

The frustration of last year will not be duplicated, Because the new Kangaroos are seriously motivated.

Russell leads the Kangaroos in scoring (11.2), assists (4.3) and post-game raps this season after joining coach Lee Hunt’s squad two years ago from McClennan Texas Community College.

And he’ll have plenty of formidable help when the 7-8 Kangaroos meet the 5-13 Huskies Saturday at 7 p.m. in Chick Evans Field House.

“They don’t have the quickness that (Illinois-Chicago) had tonight,” NIU assistant coach Bill Harris said after Wednesday night’s 99-80 loss to the flames, “but they’re good athletes.”

Among the more impressive Roos are 6-9 center Ron Davis and 6-10 forward Dave Robinson. Davis averages 10.8 points per game and leads the team with 7.0 rebounds per game, while Robinson adds 8.6 ppg at the power forward spot.

“Robinson’s been playing well lately,” said UMKC Sports Information Director Ed Grom. “He has averaged 11 ppg and seven rebounds since becoming a starter 11 games ago. He and Davis are a nice one-two combination down low.”

The Huskis’ one-two punch of late has consisted of 6-4 forward Donnell Thomas (17.2 ppg) and 6-2 guard Stacy Arrington (16.6 ppg). But NIU hopes to get some inside help from center Antwon Harmon who sat out the UIC game but is expected to play on Saturday.

“Antwon ran today,” said NIU trainer Bob Cochrane on Thursday. “He’s not going to beat Ben Johnson right now, but we’re continuing his rehab and I’d be happy if he played some Saturday.”