SportsBeat KC

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Are the Kansas City Chiefs accomplishing their goals through free-agency? A podcast... Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

In the free agency flurry the Chiefs have had more losses than gains. Gone are wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman and tackles Orlando Brown Jr., and Andrew Wylie, safety Juan Thornhill and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.

The Chiefs have added tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive lineman Charles Omenihu and linebacker Drue Tranquill. Add it up, and you have today’s conversation on SportsBeat KC with Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell along with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell.

The Chiefs, as they’ve been doing in the Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Brett Veach era, are playing the long game. The moves keep them competitive and financially fit and in a position to extend a run that currently includes two Super Bowl victories and five straight trips to the AFC title game.

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SportsBeat KC podcast: Royals hope for improvement in 2023 begins in this area Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

It’s the time of year when hope springs eternal. Baseball season has arrived and every team had a chance at becoming a World Series champion.

Right?

Some have better chances than others. The Royals enter the 2023 with a new manager, general manager and remain in the early stages of John Sherman’s ownership. There is optimism for improvement, but it will be essential for Kansas City to avoid the slow starts of previous seasons.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Sam McDowell discusses Royals and focuses on the pitching. Good teams have good bullpens, and the Royals have looked to improve there.

Story link:

Why the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen has most room for improvement — but with a caveat

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article273522060.html#storylink=mainstage_card

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SBKC podcast: NCAA regional final weekend had it all, except a Kansas State victory Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

So many twists and turns on the way to the Final Four. It’s enough to make you dizzy. But that’s what makes March Madness the spectacle that it is.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, we review the regional championship weekend that produced the Final Four field of Florida Atlantic, Connecticut, San Diego State and Miami, Fla. The title games produced remarkable drama, upsets and three newcomers to the Final Four–all but UConn.

Also, there are three first-timers playing in the Final Four for the first time since 1970, and this marks the first time since seeding started in 1979 that no teams among the top three will play on basketball’s final weekend in Houston.

You’ll hear from Kansas State, a program that had its best NCAA run in six years, reaching the East final before falling to Florida Atlantic. Point guard Markquis Nowell became a star of the tournament with his scoring and playmaking, and we’ll hear from him and other Wildcats from the tournament for the final time.

Story link:

Roster changes on the horizon but hopes remain high for Jerome Tang in Year 2

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article273608560.html#storylink=mainstage_lead

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Podcast: For an encore, Markquis Nowell will try to take Kansas State to a Final Four Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

With another astonishing performance by its point guard Markquis Nowell, Kansas State outlasted Michigan State in overtime and has advanced to the Elite Eight, one step away from the Final Four.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett and columnist Vahe Gregorian break down the edge-of-your-seat East Regional semifinal, and center to it all was Nowell, who set an NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists to go along with his 20 points.

Nowell’s final two assists won the game. His lob pass to Keyontae Johnson from distance, was finished with back-to-the-basket slam to break a tie, and his in-bounds pass to Ismael Massou on a clever play led to the breathing-room jumper.

Great stuff all around from Nowell and the WIldcats who with a victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday will reach the Final Four for the first time since 1964.

Story link:

Spontaneous or scripted? What really happened on Markquis Nowell’s daring alley-oop pass

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Podcast: What’s next for Mizzou hoops after Dennis Gates’ excellent first season? Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

The Missouri Tigers got reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament and were upset by Princeton. But there was nothing upsetting about Mizzou’s season.

The Tigers were picked to finish 11th in the SEC. They were the No. 4 seed in the league tournament, and reached the semifinals for the first time. Missouri also won its first NCAA Tournament game in more than a decade.

In all, an excellent first season in Columbia for Dennis Gates. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss Missouri’s season and where Mizzou goes from here, especially from a recruiting standpoint.

Story link:

Mizzou’s NCAA Tournament loss to Princeton hurts but doesn’t diminish momentous season

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article273323190.html#storylink=mainstage_card

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Podcast: Next season came too early for KU Jayhawks but here’s a first look at ’23-24 Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Next season came earlier than expected for Kansas after its heart breaking loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The defending national champion will bid farewell to its All-America player, Jalen Wilson, and with Gradey DIck projected by some to be an NBA Draft lottery pick, only two starters may return in point guard Dauajn Harris and big man K.J. Adams.

How will Bill Self and his staff fill out the lineup and rotation next season?

Beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha provide the first look and address the many questions for the Jayhawks in 2023-24 on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast.

Story link:

Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams will lead KU in 2023-24. What else is known about the roster?

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article273331780.html#storylink=mainstage_card

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Podcast: Gritty K-State team from Little Apple ready to take a bite of the Big Apple Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Kansas State plays in Manhattan, affectionately known as the “Little Apple.” This week, the Wildcats look to continue their NCAA Tournament winning ways in the Big Apple and Madison Square Garden.

The Sweet 16 date in New York against Michigan State awaits a Kansas State team that defeated Kentucky on Sunday in Greensboro, N.C., behind the remarkable performance of point guard Markquis Nowell. Adding to the purple vibe this week: Nowell and three of his teammates are New York natives. They’re going home.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses how K-State broke from a close game with Kentucky with a final flurry to pick up the most important victory of the season, and how the purple Wildcats, who went off as a betting underdog, overcame Oscar Tshiebwe and the blue Wildcats.

After a break, you’ll hear a conversation with K-State athletic director Gene Taylor, which was recorded before the Kentucky game. He discusses the accomplishments of first-year head coach Jerome Tang and addresses the likelihood of a contract extension.

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Podcast: Here’s why Kansas State is among the biggest surprises of NCAA tourney teams Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Of the 32 games in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Kansas State’s contest with Montana State is the 30th, tipping off Friday evening. That gave us enough time to break down the Wildcats on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast with Kellis Robinett.

The Wildcats are one of the most unlikely tournament teams, based on preseason expectations. They were picked to finish last in the Big 12. But in Jerome Tang’s first season, K-State came in third in the league and is a No. 3 seed taking on Montana State in the NCAA opener in Greensboro, N.C.

We discuss how it came together, including the role of the team’s two returning players, Markquis Nowell and Ismeal Massoud, in shaping this year’s roster. Also, a look ahead at a possible Kansas State-Kentucky second round game if those teams win on Friday.

Story link:

K-State Wildcats vs. Montana State Bobcats: NCAA Tournament game time, TV, prediction

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article273240055.html#storylink=mainstage_card

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Chiefs roster transformation continues. Who’s next through revolving door? Podcast Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

The Chiefs moves in free agency haven’t made national headlines, but there’s plenty of roster turnover occurring for the Super Bowl champions. Four starters and three more who made valuable contributions have departed during free agency. And the week isn’t over.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell break down the moves and how the Chiefs plan to replace players like Orlando Brown Jr., Andrew Wylie, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Juan Thornhill and Khalen Saunders.

Some of been addressed with such free agent additions as offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor and defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.

Work remains for general manager Brett Veach and his staff to complete a roster through free agency, the draft or trades to keep the Chiefs atop the NFL.

Story link

Follow Kansas City Chiefs’ free-agency updates: Orlando Brown Jr. finds new home

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article273157615.html#storylink=mainstage_card

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Podcast: How is Missouri an underdog in NCAA tourney? Not sure, but they’ll use it Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Missouri enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed, its best position since 2012. The Tigers are coming off a competitive SEC tourney semifinal loss to top-ranked Alabama, after beating Tennessee in the quarterfinal. So why is MIzzou a betting underdog to No. 10 seed Utah State in Thursday’s opener?

The Aggies are a excellent team, but you better believe Coach Dennis Gates and his veteran team will use any slight in their favor. This is a Missouri team picked to finish 11th in the SEC, and the Tigers were seeded fourth in the tournament.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the Tigers, who open the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif. A victory on Thursday aligns with them the Arizona-Princeton winner in the South Region.

Also at stake: Missouri seeks its first victory in the NCAA Tournament since 2010. It looks to end a five-game March Madness losing streak.

Story link:

To make it memorable, Mizzou’s turnaround season needs exclamation point in NCAA play

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article273060235.html#storylink=mainstage_card

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