SportsBeat KC

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Talking Northwest Missouri State’s dominance, Brandon McKissic, new KU QB Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

In another year we’d talk about the Final Four teams today. But the NCAA Tournament calendar has shifted and we’re at the Elite Eight round. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Jesse Newell talks regional finals and more with host Blair Kerkhoff.

But Division II has completed its bracket, and what a performance by Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats were impressive winners of their third tournament in four seasons. What’s next for Coach Ben McCollum and the program?

Also, in transfer news, KC Roos point guard Brandon McKissic is on the market and Kansas, Missouri and Kansas State are involved.

After a break, the topic switches to Kansas football. The Jayhawks picked up a transfer quarterback last week, and what is the prospect of Jason Bean of North Texas becoming this season’s starter? Maybe better than you think.

Story links:

Northwest Missouri State repeats as national champion in NCAA Division II hoops

KU, MU, K-State pursue KC Roos’ McKissic: “Sometime this week I’ll know my decision”

KU lands QB transfer from North Texas. He could start Game 1 for Jayhawks

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Baylor carrying Big 12’s flag in the NCAAs, and transfer portal humming Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Baylor is the last Big 12 team standing in the NCAA Tournament. As top seed, the Bears are a favorite to reach their first Final Four since 1950.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Baylor assistant director of broadcasting and play-by-play announcer John Morris speaks to the best team of the Scott Drew era.

There’s been plenty of off-court news elsewhere, too. Missouri lost guard Xavier Pinson to the transfer portal but has picked up a high-scoring guard from Wisconsin-Green Bay: Amari Davis.

KC Roos senior Brandon McKissic is also in the transfer portal.

Kansas State extended the contract of athletic director Gene Taylor and former K-State hoop star and coach Lon Kruger has called it a career as a head coach. He spent the last 10 seasons of his 35-year college coaching career at Oklahoma and won 674 games at six schools. A fantastic career.

We cover it all on SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

High scoring transfer guard picks Missouri after Tigers lose Xavier Pinson

Oklahoma’s Lon Kruger hangs up the whistle, retires as Oklahoma’s basketball coach

K-State has extended athletic director Gene Taylor’s contract. Here are the financials

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Who got best of Salvy/Royals deal, and how will pitching roles play out? Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

Opening day is a week away and the Royals are making moves. The biggest of late: a four-year contract extension for catcher Salvador Perez. On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, Star beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Vahe Gregorian speak to Perez’s value in KC.

Also, the pitching rotation is set: The Royals will use four starters for the first two weeks of the season. The fifth starter, when he’s needed, isn’t an obvious choice at the moment.

Will relievers be assigned spots in the bullpen, especially the back end? That worked beautifully for the Royals during their pennant years, but even with some of the same players on this year’s roster, that may not be their approach this spring.

Story links:

Three stories about Sal Perez and the biggest contract in Kansas City Royals history

Junis says he’s ready whenever the Royals need him and shows why he’s in relief against the Angels

Bobby Witt Jr. won’t start the season in majors. Dayton Moore explains why

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Here’s what could be next for Chiefs in the free-agency market Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

After an active start to the NFL free agency season with the signing of offensive lineman Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, the Chiefs have slowed down a bit. They’ve been in discussions with players like Trent Williams and JuJu Smith-Schuster but no additional big signings yet.

But don’t think for a moment the Chiefs aren’t finished on the free agency market. Beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell discuss the possibilities on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. And what positions are of greatest need?

Also, we talk about the Pro Day experience for Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton and you’ll get our take on the Pro Football Focus grading system.

Story links:

As second week of NFL free agency begins, here’s what the Chiefs still need to address

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article250145869.html

Veteran pass rusher Melvin Ingram set to visit Kansas City

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article250057939.html

Chiefs bring back Daniel Sorensen on a 1-year deal; close with Nick Keizer

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article250130114.html

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Sifting through the rubble of Kansas’ history-making NCAA Tournament loss Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

What was that from Kansas in the NCAA Tournament?

On today’s SportsBeat KC beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore provide the autopsy for one of the ugliest losses in KU history, a 34-point pounding from Southern California in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Also we take a first look ahead for the Jayhawks with roster guesses and what might happen with the NCAA investigation.

Here’s how it all went wrong for Kansas.

Story links:

Here’s what should sting Kansas most after NCAA Tournament loss to USC

Historic blowout: Kansas Jayhawks knocked out of NCAA Tournament by USC

KU’s worst NCAA Tournament loss (by far) and an uncertain future

One year ago, KU seemed poised for a title run. Those dreams were long gone Monday

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What future holds for Mizzou after short-lived NCAA Tournament stay Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

A season that started with Missouri defeating five teams that would reach the NCAA Tournament and continued with an appearance in the top 10 finished with a first round NCAA Tournament loss to Oklahoma.

The Tigers stumbled home, losing seven of their last 10 games. The NCAA Tournament as a reset button didn’t work and Mizzou’s season is over with a 16-10 record.

Star columnist Vahe Gregorian covered the game along with host Blair Kerkhoff in Indianapolis and we break it down along with Missouri’s whole season in SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

Dru Smith’s late heroics aren’t enough as Missouri Tigers’ season ends in NCAA Tournament loss

Loss to Oklahoma makes Mizzou’s last NCAA Tournament win more remote, next uncertain

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Willing to play anywhere, new Chiefs linemen Thuney and Long say Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs used free agency this week to address their biggest need by signing the offensive lineman Joe Thuney and Kyle Long. Both players had spent their careers with one team, Thuney with the Patriots, Long with the Bears.

Thuney has played most of his snaps at left guard. He’s started all 80 games in his career and was a second-team All-Pro in 2019. Long was a three-time Pro Bowler who retired after the 2019 season. Howie Long’s son stayed in shape and came out of retirement to play for the Chiefs.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from Thuney and Long as they took questions from reporters on Thursday.

Story links:

Even before his short-lived retirement, newest Chief Kyle Long knew he would play again

Positions unknown for now, two new Chiefs say they’re willing to play anywhere

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Just try talking Royals without leading with Bobby Witt Jr. Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

The plan going into today’s SportsBeat Live, now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast, was to discuss pitching, then get to Bobby Witt Jr., in the second half. But talking Royals and not getting Witt close to the top of the lineup isn’t possible these days. He could be that special.

So, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam Mellinger tackle the Royals’ decision: Does Witt, with only a brief stay in rookie ball and a summer at the alternate site last year, break camp with the club? We also talk pitching, especially the bullpen, which got news recently with the return of Josh Staumont after a nasty bout with COVID-19.

Story links:

Will Bobby Witt Jr., break camp with the Royals?

Royals Mike Minor unhappy with outing in a loss to Athletics but ready to move on

Royals’ Josh Staumont climbing his way back after major COVID-19 setback

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What’s next for these active Kansas City Chiefs in NFL free agency? Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

NFL free agency moves quickly. On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell bring us up to date on moves made so far this week, and there have been plenty.

The Chiefs have bid farewell to Super Bowl starter Damien Williams and brought back Darrel Williams. Earlier in the week, the Chiefs made a big splash by signing offensive lineman Joe Thuney, addressing perhaps the team’s biggest offseason need. They aren’t finished wheeling and dealing, the beat writers say, so we speculate on some possible next moves.

Story links:

Chiefs free agency tracker

Chiefs release Damien Williams, star in Super Bowl LIV, saving $2.2 million on cap

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Mizzou not carrying momentum into NCAA Tournament. But neither is OU Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

The Missouri Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four years under Cuonzo Martin. Perhaps a bit under-seeded at No. 9 when several projections had Mizzou as high as a sixth seed.

Still, the Tigers are dancing and the opponent for Saturday’s game in Indianapolis is eight-seeded Oklahoma. The programs met last year in Kansas City, which should make scouting easier. Awaiting the winner will be tournament favorite Gonzaga, unless the Zags become the second team in tournament history to lose to a No. 16 seed.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from Martin, and from Star columnist Vahe Gregorian who joined host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss the Tigers’ chances this weekend.

Story links:

Life in the bubble: Boredom, isolation pose new challenges at unusual NCAA Tournament

Mizzou’s late-season skid makes tournament run more about hope than faith

Mizzou bounced from SEC Tournament as two Tigers foul out in the second half

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