SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Beyond Ochai Agbaji, what else worked for KU in victory over Michigan State? Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

The Kansas Jayhawks opened the 2021-22 college basketball season with an impressive 87-74 victory over Michigan State at the Champions Classic in New York on Tuesday and the best player on the floor was KU’s Ochai Agbaji. He scored a career best 29 points to help Kansas win in this event for the fifth time in six years.

There was plenty more for Bill Self to like, including the play of his freshman class and the second half of Arizona State transfer Remy Martin, who was named preseason Big 12 player of the year.

Beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell covered the game and share their thoughts on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

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“He’s a pro:” Ochai Agbaji scores 29 points as KU defeats Michigan State

This KU trio wowed vs. Michigan State: “We’re going to have a good future”

Remy Martin flips the switch at halftime, and his 15 points helps Kansas win opener

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About the no-call in Sporting’s game that made Peter Vermes apoplectic Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City concluded its regular season on Sunday with a 1-0 home loss to Real Salt Lake that dropped SKC to third place in the MLS Western Conference standings. Sporting opens the playoffs against sixth-seeded Vancouver on Nov. 20 in KCK.

A disappointing loss to be sure for Sporting, which would have finished in first with a victory. But it was the post-game news conference that made headlines. Sporting coach Peter Vermes went after the officiating crew — and the league — in a major way because officials missed a handball in front of the RSL goal that would’ve given Sporting a penalty kick; Vermes’ ire swelled when the play wasn’t reviewed.

You’ll hear from Vermes on today’s episode of our daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, as well as soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin.

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Mellinger Minutes: Refereeing in the MLS, plus Chiefs, Royals

Vermes blasts MLS officiating, rips no-call in Sporting KC game as “black mark” on MLS

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Are the Kansas City Chiefs turning corner with two straight victories? Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs took down the Green Bay Packers 13-7 on Sunday, and if you’d offered that outcome to Chiefs fans before the season they’d have grabbed it in a heartbeat. That it happened without Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the field doesn’t matter in the standings. The Chiefs improved to 5-4 with the victory.

Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger along with beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell discussed the game with host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat Live, which is now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast.

We broke down the continued troubles for Patrick Mahomes and the offense — although no turnovers for the first time since the opener is a nice achievement. We also talk about the good things the Chiefs’ defense and special teams delivered.

Story links:

Patrick Mahomes was bleh again, until the moment he wasn’t

Even with no Rodgers or Mahomes magic, win over Packers huge for Chiefs

Credit for the Chiefs win: Everything but the offense. Is this sustainable?

Has the Chiefs’ defense finally arrived?

Grading Chiefs vs. Packers: Best game for defense but woes continue on offense

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Better chance of winning Saturday, Mizzou or KU? Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

Kansas and Missouri face tall tasks on college football Saturday. The Jayhawks play host to Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown and are 24-point underdogs. Missouri is coming off its first SEC victory and to keep that momentum going the Tigers have to win at top-ranked Georgia, where they’re 38-point underdog.

Beat writers Kellis Robinett, Jesse Newell and Lila Bromberg break down the action on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, and even get in a little hoops talk as we begin the crossover from football to basketball. Also, we remember Warren Powers, the former Missouri football coach who died earlier this week.

Story links:

Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s unique celebration dance is just for K-State sacks

The most fascinating part of this Kansas basketball season has already revealed itself

With Conner Bazelak’s status unclear, here’s what the backup QBs can do

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If the Chiefs don’t beat Aaron Rodgers-less Packers… Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

It’s been a week when the Chiefs welcomed Melvin Ingram, bid farewell to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and sent well wishes to Aaron Rodgers, and we discuss it all on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian, Sam Mellinger and Herbie Teope broke down the news and how it impacts the Chiefs heading into Sunday’s game against the Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers.

The show started as a SportsBeat Live, with plenty of questions about the Chiefs, who improved to 4-4 with Monday’s victory over the New York Giants and have a chance to climb over .500 for the first time since standing 1-0.

Story links:

This Kansas City Chiefs player is the AFC defensive rookie of the month

Gone from Chiefs, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was an inspiration who will always be treasured here

Chiefs’ off-season courtship led to welcome addition of edge rusher Melvin Ingram

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Melvin Ingram in, Aaron Rodgers out. Hear what the Chiefs have to say Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Even with a short week, it’s been busy times for the Chiefs. They acquired defensive end Melvin Ingram in a trade and learned that this week’s opponent, the Green Bay Packers, will be without starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Sunday.

He tested positive for COVID-19 this week and must now quarantine for 10 days.

On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast, we hear what the Chiefs have to say about all of this: coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and safety Tyrann Mathieu discuss the big news of the week and other topics.

A programming note: Join us for a SportsBeat Live stream on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Star beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell, along with columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger, will break down the Chiefs’ moves and preview Sunday’s big home game against Green Bay.

Story links:

How Chiefs’ prep changes facing Packers’ Jordan Love instead of Aaron Rodgers

“Can you throw?” Packers scramble to fill backup quarterback roles before Chiefs game

After Aaron Rodgers COVID news, here’s how much betting line changed

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Not exactly confidence inspiring but Chiefs will take the victory Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

File it under, the Chiefs will take any victory in any fashion this season. The Chiefs outlasted the New York Giants 20-17 at Arrowhead Stadium in an outcome that didn’t exactly inspire confidence in the fan base.

Once again, the offense was off, and turnovers were a problem. The Chiefs’ two giveaways increased their NFL-leading total to 19 this season.

The defense came up big in the beginning and the end, with Willie Gay’s early interception that set up the Chiefs’ first touchdown, and a pair of sacks to snuff out the Giants’ final possession.

Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger and beat writers Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope hung around as the Arrowhead parking lots cleared to discuss the game on SportsBeat Live. It’s now a SportsBeat KC podcast.

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Chiefs return to .500 with slim win over New York Giants. Here’s what we learned

Five things that stood out about the Chiefs’ close win over the NY Giants

Chiefs report card: Passing grades but this team needs to study

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Everything’s Current. How do you like new name? Also, we talk Sporting Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

Kansas City’s women’s pro-soccer franchise has a new team name. The Kansas City Current was introduced Saturday night at halftime of the final game of the NWSL team’s inaugural season. What do you think of the new moniker?

Soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin discusses the new name, plans for a new stadium and shares some general thoughts about the team’s first season on today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

After a break, the topic turns to Sporting Kansas City, which missed an opportunity to own first place outright in the Western Conference by losing at Minnesota on Sunday. No goal for Johnny Russell in this one, but he did log an assist.

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It’s the Kansas City Current

Do. you like the new name for Kansas City’s NWSL’s soccer team? Vote in our poll

It’s Loony Sunday in St. Paul: as Sporting Kansas City scores first, falls to Minnesota

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Kansas State off the mat with league victory. Now, it’s Mizzou’s turn Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

Kansas State claimed its first conference victory last week. Missouri looks to break into the victory column on Sunday.

The Wildcats rallied from a two touchdown deficit to win at Texas Tech, and a defensive play sparked the comeback when Felix Anudike-Uzomah, from Lee’s Summit, produced a safety. Beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses all things Wildcats on today’s SportsBeat KC.

Mizzou is coming off an open week and heads to Vanderbilt in a battle of teams winless in SEC play. Can the Tigers break through and avoid the upset loss in Nashville (It happened two years ago)? Also, the Tigers picked up a huge commitment since their last game in Luther Burden. Beat writer Lila Bromberg provides the update.

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Once an overlooked recruit, this K-State defender is now getting national attention

Eliah Drinkwitz updates Missouri Tigers’ injuries, roster, focus before Vandy game

“I want to be the first.” Why five-star recruit picked the Missouri Tigers

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How will Patrick Mahomes respond to worst game of his NFL career? Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs have to hope they bottomed out in last week’s lost at Tennessee. Patrick Mahomes had probably his worst game as a pro — his first in the regular season in which his team didn’t score a single touchdown.

On today’s episode of our daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, we focus on the Chiefs and Mahomes with Kansas City Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger and beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell. The big question: What are the main problems and how can they be fixed?

Story links:

Woeful Kansas City Chiefs defense is impacting their offense, and needs drastic change

Computer models aren’t bullish on Chiefs’ chances of returning to the playoffs

Patrick Mahomes dismissed the idea that Chiefs are suffering from a Super Bowl hangover

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