SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Talking QB plans at Kansas State and how KU played a Self-less basketball game in opener Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

Three games remain in the Big 12 regular season and Kansas State and Kansas remain in the conference championship race. The Wildcats figured to be here, but it’s an epic season from the Jayhawks. Beat writers Kellis Robinett and Gary Bedore break down the teams they cover on today’s SportsBeat KC.

For K-State, the plot thickens at quarterback. In last weekend’s loss to Texas, Coach Chris Klieman returned to Adrian Martinez, who had been out with an injury. In stepped Will Howard and looked good. How will Kansas State handle the position going forward?

Also, the Wildcats opened the basketball season with three able bodies on the bench, ticketed for redshirt seasons. We have the explanation.

KU opened defense of its NCAA title season with a solid offensive performance that was not witnessed by Bill Self, who was serving the first of his school-imposed four-game suspension. Where was Self’s game-day hangout?

The Jayhawks’ football team put together an impressive performance in defeated Oklahoma State last weekend to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2008. Gary tells us why Potter Lake was part of the celebration tour.

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Taking football contract extensions, hoop expectations at Mizzou Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

The college sports crossroads season is upon us. Regular-season football is in its final month as basketball season tips off. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Missouri is the focus of this junction.

Mizzou is coming off a disappointing football loss, which has been this season’s theme in conference games. But head coach Eli Drinkwitz and defensive coordinator Blake Baker received contract extensions last week. We talk about those developments with Chris Gervino of the Tiger Radio Network, the sideline reporter in football and color analyst for men’s basektball.

We pick up the basketball conversation with interviews from Missouri’s recent media day. You’ll hear about season aspiration from new coach Dennis Gates; preseason All-SEC forward Kobe Brown on playing with a group of new teammates; and freshman Aidan Shaw from Overland Park and how he sees himself fitting in this season.

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Was this a glass half full or half empty triumph? We debate Chiefs’ overtime victory over Titans on podcast Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs got big numbers from Patrick Mahomes and needed all of them to outlast the Tennessee Titans 20-17 in overtime on Sunday Night Football.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell break down the game, and engage in a spirited debate over how concerned the Chiefs should be with the performance.

Does it matter how a victory was achieved when it comes to thinking about the playoffs? The Chiefs’ triumph kept them atop the AFC West and they share the conference’s best record with the Buffalo Bills. But Sunday’s game also exposed some cracks along the offensive line, and unfixed, will that limit the Chiefs?

Also, the Chiefs’ defense came up big, especially in the second half, and if you haven’t seen the catch by Noah Gray to keep alive the game-winning field-goal drive

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Talking Chiefs’ role as big favorite over Titans, the busy bye week, and rating the rookies Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs were off last week but they stayed busy. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney joined the team. Cornerback Rashad Fenton departed. Injured players like rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end Mike Danna worked their way back, while the Chiefs worked out with suspended end Frank Clark.

We talk about it all and then some on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast with columnist Sam McDowell, and beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell, who join host Blair Kerkhoff. The show started as a SportsBeat KC live stream.

Also, as Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans approaches, we wonder why the Chiefs are now at 12 1/2 point favorite against the team with the same record (5-2). And the Chiefs have had little success against Tennessee in Andy Reid’s career.

Finally, the bye week presents a good time to evaluate the rookie class, especially with the Chiefs’ large collection of first-year players.

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Get to know new Royals manager Matt Quatraro and hear why he was the team’s choice Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

New Royals manager Matt Quatraro was introduced at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday by team executive vice-president for baseball operations J.J. PIcollo, and shared ideas of his new team and his first job as a major league manager.

“It’s surreal still,” Quatraro. “There is so much work ahead.”

Yes, there is for a franchise that finished last in the AL Central with a 65-97 record.

The Royals face the future with a manager who comes from his position as bench coach of the Tampa Bay Rays and previously served with the Cleveland Guardians. Those are successful small market franchises the Royals see as models.

But executive vice-president for baseball operations J.J. Picollo emphasized the Royals weren’t interviewing the franchise but the candidate. You’ll hear from Quatraro and Picollo, who met with a small group of reporters after the press conference. You’ll hear from both on today’s SportsBeat KC.

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For Kansas, time to get on with business of defending NCAA title: SportsBeat KC podcast Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

Two starters — Jalen Wilson and DeJuan Harris — return from the Kansas Jayhawks hoops team that bathed in a confetti shower on the court in New Orleans.

On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, KU beat writer Gary Bedore previews the 2022-23 team that recently unfurled another NCAA championship banner at Allen Fieldhouse. Who will join Wilson, Harris and Texas Tech transfer Kevin McCullar in the Jayhawks’ starting lineup, and how deep will Bill Self go with his playing rotation?

After a break, you’ll hear from Self, who met with reporters last week. He spoke about the pressure this team faces while providing insights about the roster. KU opens the season Thursday with an exhibition game against Pittsburg State, coached by former KU guard Jeff Boschee, and plays regular-season games against Omaha and North Dakota State before meeting Duke in the Champions Classic on Nov. 15.

Story link:

Is KU a contender for repeat NCAA basketball title? One preseason poll is skeptical

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Should Will Howard or Adrian Martinez start for Kansas State? And about the new Big 12 TV deal Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

It’s fair to say Kansas State responded well to its first Big 12 loss. The Wildcats followed their loss at TCU by demolishing Oklahoma State 48-0. Next up is another conference showdown with Texas visiting K-State.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down Kansas State in the Big 12 race and shares his thoughts with what the Wildcats should do at quarterback: Stay with backup Will Howard, who was carried off the field after a four-touchdown performance against the Cowboys, or return to starter Adrian Martinez.

After a break, Robinett and host Blair Kerkhoff discuss the meaning of the Big 12’s new television agreement with ESPN and Fox Sports. The six-year deal kicks in for the 2025-26 season and will pay the conference $380 million per year. That’s a big windfall for the 12 members, including newcomers Houston, Cincinnati, Brigham Young and Central Florida.

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What motivates Missouri Tigers’ hoop coaches Dennis Gates, Robin Pingeton? Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

Missouri men’s basketball starts over this year with new coach Dennis Gates, and the women’s basketball program looks to get over last year’s disappointing NCAA Tournament snub under women’s coach Robin Pingeton.

You’ll hear from both on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Gates, who replaced Cuonzo Martin, explains why he reached out to Martin and other former Mizzou coaches–including legend Norm Stewart–after taking the job.

Pingeton speaks to how her team can be motivated by the crushing omission from last year’s omission. Both spoke with host Blair Kerkhoff at a Tiger Club event at Westport Flea Market last week.

“It’s been a really good six months post-March 13, 2022,” Pingeton said of the selection show. “That date is posted in our locker room. It was probably one of my toughest days as a coach.”

Also, you’ll hear from Star columnist Vahe Gregorian, who recently explored Gates’ career in a column and discusses the Tigers’ basketball and football seasons.

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Podcast: Tracking the amazing path of the Kansas City Current as it flows to the NWSL Championship Game Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

The Kansas City Current’s spot in the NWSL Championship Game is an amazing accomplishment in the moment and over the past two seasons.

They had to win both playoff games on the road to reach the final on Saturday in Washington D.C. against the Portland Thorns. And it’s the second year of the team’s existence. The team has been know as the Current only this season. The franchise came together in such a hurry last year that it was known as KC NWSL.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Coach Matt Potter and star midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta share their thoughts on the team and this season.

Also, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Daniel Sperry discuss what has made this organization such a success on and off the field.

Kickoff Saturday is 7 p.m., and the game will be televised by CBS (Ch. 5)

Story link:

How the Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns match up ahead of Saturday’s NWSL final

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/kc-current/article267942267.html

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Friday night lights become win or season’s over in Missouri, Kansas prep football playoffs Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

You ya got in the high school football playoffs in Missouri and Kansas? Liberty North? Center? Kearney? Olathe North? Mill Valley? All have had excellent seasons and are among the favorites in their classifications.

But anything can happen in the postseason, and on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Dion Clisson, the managing editor of prepskc.com breaks it down.

He discusses the brackets and top contenders on both sides of the state line, and gets into the changes he’d consider making to improve the competitiveness of the competition.

Here are the defending state champions:

Missouri

Class 6: Christian Brothers College

Class 5: Webb City

Class 4: Smithville

Class 3: St. Mary’s

Class 2: Lutheran St. Charles

Class 1: East Buchanan

Kansas

6A: Blue Valley Northwest

5A: Mill Valley

4A: St. James