SportsBeat KC

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Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament, who’s available and who isn’t? Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

The bracket is out and the 68 teams are seeded. Kansas landed a No. 3 seed and will open NCAA Tournament play on Saturday against No. 14 Eastern Washington. All games will be played in Indiana. If the Jayhawks win the opener, there are three possible second-round opponents: sixth-seeded Southern California, or the winner of an opening round game between 11th seeds Wichita State and Drake.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, we hear what KU Coach Bill Self had to say about the Jayhawks’ spot in the field, and he provides the latest on the team’s COVID-19 situation. Kansas couldn’t finish the Big 12 Tournament because of a positive test, and two players couldn’t participate in Kansas City because of COVID-19 protocols.

Story links:

Was Kansas lucky or unlucky with the NCAA Tournament draw?

Bill Self pleased with NCAA Tournament seed, provides updates on team’s COVID-19 issues

Kansas might be the least predictable team in the least predictable tournament

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A cleansing week at KU, and K-State’s upbeat basketball vibes Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

The week started with Les Miles as Kansas’ football coach and Jeff Long as the Jayhawks’ athletic director. Neither were around by week’s end.

Beat writer Jesse Newell reviews the overhaul in KU athletics on this episode of the SportsBeat Live daily podcast with host Blair Kerkhoff. The discussion also covers a timetable for succession and possible candidates for both jobs.

Also on today’s show, Kansas State basketball coach Bruce Weber talks about his team’s season-ended loss to Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament. The Wildcats played their best basketball of the season in the last few weeks and gave the second-ranked Bears a scare. The solid finish has Weber looking forward to next season.

Story links:

KU names interim football coach. Many players lobbied for him the previous day

Long overdue: Inside the problems at KU and what’s required to fix them now

Bruce Weber shoots down retirement rumors, talks up a bright future for K-State

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The Royals’ pleasant dilemma of promising prospect Bobby Witt Jr. Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

Bobby Witt Jr., is showing up with his bat and glove in spring training, but is it enough to make the Royals rethink their plans for his progress?

Beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss the promising prospect along with several other topics on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast with host Blair Kerkhoff.

You’ll also hear from Witt and KC newcomer Hanser Alberto, who could fill many roles for the Royals.

Story links:

Mesmerizing prospect Bobby Witt Jr., may be forcing the Royals’ hand

Royals offensive weapons Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler welcome return of in-game video

How Jarrod Dyson’s return to Royals is about what he embodies and stands for

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New additions to the Chiefs, to Arrowhead name and the Mahomes family Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

You’ll no longer be attending games at Arrowhead Stadium. You’ll be going to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. What do you think of change? Beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell along with columnist Sam Mellinger joined SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in discussing the change.

Also, what could the Chiefs accomplish in free agency involving safeties and running backs? Those are among the latest position groups examined by The Star as off-season continues. Oh, and there’s a new addition to the family of Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews. The young fathers in our group offer some advice.

Story links:

Evaluating the Chiefs backfield and what it might look like look like in 2021

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article249795128.html

The Chiefs’ name rights deal for Arrowhead Stadium might not be what you think

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article249702578.html

Patrick Mahomes’ infant daughter receives cute letter of intent from Texas Tech

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article249791888.html

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Big 12 tourney preview, and did coaches make right player-of-year call? Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

The Big 12 is looking to finish what it barely started a year ago.

The men’s and women’s basketball tournaments arrive in Kansas City this week, with the men starting Wednesday at T-Mobile Center and the women Thursday at Municipal Auditorium. Beat writers Gary Bedore (KU, for The KC Star and Wichita Eagle), Kellis Robinett (K-State, for The Star and Eagle) and Drew Davison (TCU, for The Star-Telegram in Fort Worth) are here to break it all down in this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

We start by picking apart the league’s all-conference team as selected by the coaches ... and their player of the year choice, Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham over Baylor’s Jared Butler.

After a break, you’ll hear from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and Kansas City sports commissioner president Kathy Nelson, who had glowing comments about the tournament sites and shared information about getting to the games this week.

Story links:

Last Big 12 Tournament remains “eerie” experience for Kansas State men’s basketball team

Bill Self talks about NCAA Tournament seeding ahead of Big 12 Tournament

TCU basketball “can’t get pushed around again,” in rematch with K-State, Jamie Dixon says

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The potential consequences of the Les Miles saga on KU football’s future Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

The Les Miles saga continues at Kansas. Miles, the KU football coach, is on administrative leave as the university sorts out the news that unfolded last week of allegations of him sexually harassing student workers while he was the head coach at LSU.

Miles has attorney fired back, calling the allegations unsubstantiated. He says a 2013 investigation did not find Miles guilty of sexual harassment and that KU knew about the report before hiring MIles.

It’s a mess for the already downtrodden Kansas football program, and Jesse Newell, who has been covering the story for The Star, appears on today’s episode of SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss what has happened and where things go from here.

Story links:

Les Miles’ lawyer: KU had significant information about LSU report ahead of release

Les Miles put on administrative leave by Kansas athletic director Jeff Long

In wake of LSU investigation, KU must fire Les Miles, take a long look at Jeff Long

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Spring football has started for K-State with a wealth of quarterbacks Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

Spring football has started at Kansas State, and the Wildcats return not only quarterback Skylar Thompson for a sixth year but also have back in the fold Will Howard, who took over when Thompson was injured last year, and top prospect Jake Rubley.

Who in college football has better depth at this most critical position?

Beat writer Kellis Robinett checks in via this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast, to talk about spring football storylines and Kansas State basketball. The men’s season winds down this weekend with a home game against Iowa State, and as rough as this season has been for the Wildcats a victory would give them one more Big 12 victory than last season.

Story links:

FIve storylines to watch as Kansas State begins spring football

K-State freshman Nijel Pack returns to practice ahead of Iowa State game

Former K-State star Dean Wade suddenly thriving as a starter in the NBA

Big 12 tourneys in KC: nearing the 1-year anniversary of the day sports stood still

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Who got better of Dozier’s long-term deal, and say hello to an old friend Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

Spring training games have started and the season of signing players and acquiring new ones continues for the Royals. On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam Mellinger address the Hunter Dozier contract extension and the signing of old friend Jarrod Dyson.

Also, we take a look at the Royals young pitching. Some are seeing their first major league hitters in spring training, and Bobby Witt Jr., is seeing his first major league pitching. How has that gone?

We’ll hear from Dozier, general manager Dayton Moore, Whit Merrifield and Daniel Lynch on today’s show.

Story links:

Speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson, former World Series champ, close to return with the Royals

Royals top prospect Bobby Witt Jr., still stands out after a year in the shadows

Mellinger Minutes: Matias’ moment; Fisher’s timeline, and challening the Royals’ way

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Breaking down Missouri’s hoop season with analyst Chris Gervino Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

Missouri looks to stop a losing trend when it takes on Florida at Gainesville tonight. The Tigers have dropped four of five, but it’s likely they’ve built enough credentials to be in the NCAA Tournament. Still, a strong finish to a regular season would remove any doubt.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Tigers Radio Network analyst Chris Gervino joins host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss Mizzou, this season, Coach Cuonzo Martin’s future and more. Gervino was sports director at KOUM in Columbia for 20 years and now devotes his time to working Missouri basketball and football games.

Story links:

Missouri Tigers men’s basketball vs. Florida Gators: Prediction, time, TV, bet line

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article249633338.html

How a year of the pandemic brough out the best in Missouri Tigers Coach Cuonzo Martin

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article249629308.html

Making sense of the Missouri Tigers projected seeding in NCAA Tournament bracket

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article249629383.html

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Chiefs GM Brett Veach drops some hints about offseason priorities Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach covered plenty of ground Monday when he met with reporters and offered a few hints about the team’s priorities in the search for talent this offseason.

In this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, we’ll hear the entirety of Veach’s 30-minute conversation. The offensive line, linebackers and defensive line are areas of need, and Veach breaks down the wide receiver group. We also learn of some injury news.

KC Star Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell offer their thoughts on Veach and the Chiefs, too.

Story links:

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach provides injury updates on Mahomes, Schwartz, Fisher

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