SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Where will Doke, Dotson land in NBA Draft? And gearing up for Farmageddon Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

The NBA Draft is tonight and former Kansas players Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson are expected to hear their names called, although perhaps not until the second round.

Beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell talk about Azubuike and Dotson as college stars and how their games may translate into the NBA.

After a break, Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett previews the Wildcats’ big game on Saturday at Iowa State. “Farmageddon,” it’s called and the games have been fourth-quarter affairs for the past several years.

Story links:

KU stars Devon Dotson, Ukoka Azubuike ready for NBA Draft. Where might they land?

KU football won’t have fans at final football games. A decision on men’s basketball looms

Kansas State vs. Iowa State: FIve things to know about Farmageddon

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The Raiders’ bus ride, extensions for Reid, Veach, and are Chiefs built to last? Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

The wheels on the Raiders’ bus went round, round, round — all around Arrowhead Stadium. So, that’s a topic, the Raiders’ victory lap around the stadium after their victory at Arrowhead last month. Andy Reid said that type of thing isn’t the Chiefs’ style, and Vegas coach Jon Gruden seems perturbed by the whole thing.

This is but one topic on today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s dailt podcast, with columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian along with host Blair Kerkhoff. So are the contract extensions for Reid and general manager Brett Veach.

These are the best of times for the Chiefs. How long will they last? The new deals mean stability at important positions for the organziation looking to repeat as Super Bowl champion.

Story links:

Jon Gruden gives odd answer when asked about victory lap after beating Chiefs

Chiefs announce contract extensions for Andy Reid, Brett Veach

Mellinger MInutes: Reid talks smack, a smart aleck bus driver, and productive pettiness

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Every college hoops team first opponent is COVID-19 Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

College basketball season is set to make its entrance on Nov. 25, but it’s no ordinary run-up to the season. COVID-19 dominates the chatter and how it might impact the sport.

Remember, college hoops paid the biggest price in the pandemic, losing the NCAA Tournament. Now, the next season is here and concerns remain. Area basketball coaches Bill Self of Kansas, Kansas State’s Bruce Weber and Missouri’s Cuonzo Martin shared their thoughts about their teams and how they’re bracing for obstacles they are expecting.

Story links:

With COVID-19 spiking, Bill Self “concerned a lot” about impact on college hoops season

Why K-State basketball isn’t fazed by last-place projection as season approaches

Missouri basketball’s reworked schedule gives TIgers opportunity for quality wins

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COVID-19 and coin flip, a very 2020 week for Mizzou athletics Nov 13, 2020

Show notes

The slate of college football games is getting thinner by the hour. By noon on Friday, 12 Division I games this week had been postponed or canceled, including contests involving top-ranked Alabama (at LSU), No. 3 Ohio State (at Maryland) and fifth-ranked Texas A&M (at Tennessee). Also on the postponed list: Missouri’s home game against No. 12 Georgia.

Mizzou beat writer Souichi Terada joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to explain why the Tigers aren’t playing this weekend and the rescheduling possibilities. Also, college basketball season is around the corner and Missouri already has a victory. It occurred via a coin flip on Thursday.

Story links:

Coin flip has decided: Missouri will host Illinois for Braggin’ Rights

Missouri Tigers football game with Georgia postponed because of COVID-19 issues

What Cuonzo Martin says about his five-player recruiting class for Mizzou basketball

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Previewing KU, K-State, Wichita St., hoops on - and off - the court Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

The opening of college basketball season is less than two weeks ago, so there’s plenty to talk about on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Today’s subject: Hoops in the Sunflower State.

Beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore (Kansas), Kellis Robinett (Kansas State) and Taylor Eldridge (Wichita State) preview their teams and tackle other topics. And there are some other topics:

Will Gregg Marshall, embroiled in controversy after alleged abuse of a player and assistant coach, be on the sideline for the Shockers’ opener? When can KU expect to hear findings from the NCAA over alleged violations? How much of a rebuild year is this for Kansas State?

Story links:

Here are five pressing questions for the KU basketball team heading into 2020-21

Reports: Gregg Marshall expected to be out soon as Wichita State basketball coach

Mike McGuirl explains how K-State can regain winning culture with a “whole new team”

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Dayton Moore knows what a title team looks like. Here’s how he sees Royals Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

The Royals’ quest for the 2021 playoffs is well under way. The shaping of next season’s team has started and general manager Dayton Moore shared his thoughts on the organization’s approach and philosophy with reporters on Wednesday. His comments are part of today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

Moore called the Royals “one of the least transactional teams in baseball.” Will the team change its stripes as it builds for next season? Beat writer Lynn Worthy joins host Blair Kerkhoff to look ahead to the 2021 Royals.

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The Royals will see uncertainty and potential opportunity this offseason

As Royals pursue free agent hitters this off season, here are some names to watch

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Sporting KC tops opponent, snowy weather for epic finish Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

To win the MLS Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City had to beat the opponent on the road and the elements. Both happened. Sporting pitched a 2-0 shutout at Real Salt Lake on Sunday in a game played in a snowstorm.

The triumph also meant that Sporting became the best turnaround team in MLS history, improving 10 places over last season. Beat writer Shaun Goodwin joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to break down Sunday’s game and the playoff picture.

This piece of information arrived after the podcast was recorded: Sporting KC will open the MLS Playoffs on Nov. 22 at Children’s Mercy Park. Capacity will be capped at 18% (3,324).

Story links:

Sporting Kansas City clinches first place in MLS Western Conference, capping historic turnaround.

Sporting KC’s Matt Belser joins DeSoto-based chain in honoring area’s good sports

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The Carolina Panthers’ best shot couldn’t bring down Mahomes, Chiefs Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

The Chiefs got outgained in yardage and crushed in time of possession against the Carolina Panthers. But Kansas City managed to survive 33-31 Sunday because they have the best quarterback in the league.

At least that’s the opinion of those who cover the team for The Star

Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell discuss the game in general and Mahomes in particular on this espisode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC.

What went right besides Mahomes, and what’s wrong? Hear it all from the A-Team and the audience, which weighed in with comments and questions.

Story links:

Patrick Mahomes in motion? Chiefs TD on “Ferrari Right” play as a good backstory

Mahomes-Kelce chemistry has become crucial bedrock for Chiefs

Came down to the final play but here’s what we learned about Chiefs in victory over Panthers

Chiefs report card: Average to below average except in passing game

How the Chiefs took the Panthers best shots and improved to 8-1

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Betting lines say Oklahoma schools dust off Kansas counterparts. Agree? Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

The Kansas schools in the BIg 12 take on their Oklahoma counterparts Saturday, and based on betting lines, the Sunflower State programs could be in trouble. According to Vegasinsider.com, the Wildcats are 12 1/2-point underdogs at home to Oklahoma State and the Jayhawks are 38-point underdogs at Oklahoma.

Beat writers Kellis Robinett and Gary Bedore talk K-State and KU on this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, with host Blair Kerkhoff. What happened to the Wildcats at West Virginia last weekend, and with nearly every team having played more than half their conference games, who are the favorites to meet in the Big 12 championship game?

Also, some basketball talk: Bill Self spoke about his lineup this week, and Bedore remembers former Oklahoma coach Billy Tubbs, who died earlier this week.

Story links:

K-State Q&A: Will Howard, transfers, Big 12 race and the Oklahoma State upset formula

These plays show where Will Howard needs to improve after first defeat as K-State quarterback

KU’s Self seeing separation at practice from deep roster: “Could we press some?”

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The Chiefs are built for both the football and political seasons Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

The Chiefs are in the middle of their regular season at the end of the political season. They’ve handled both well. The A-Team of Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope discuss with host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

Also, the Chiefs are getting contributions from several rookies, and that was perhaps a bit unexpected given all the returning starters from KC’s Super Bowl squad. Who has been stepping up in in a big way? One is an undrafted rookie.

Story links:

The Chiefs are doing something outside of football that is, embarrassingly, rare

Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire has found a mentor and a competitor in Le’Veon Bell

Chiefs’ rookies got a virtual start to NFL. Now they’re a big part of KC’s 7-1 start

Different video angle seems to show pass by Patrick Mahomes go through defender

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