SportsBeat KC

NFL Draft week has arrived and the Chiefs own the first-round slot every team covets, No. 32. Chances are, one of the top dozen or so college prospects won’t be available at that spot, but selecting last in the first round means, unless a trade has been made, you’ve won the Super Bowl.But this looms as a good draft for another reason: The Chiefs already have a solid roster. Unlike most teams in the draft, they won’t be selecting for need. Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian explain how the Chiefs put themselves in this position.After a break, we remember Pellom McDaniels, who passed away this weekend. McDaniels played six of his seven NFL seasons with the Chiefs, and was mostly a reserve defensive end and linebacker. His 14 career starts all came with the Chiefs. But McDaniels, 52, lived quite a life as an academic and civic leader after football. He served as a professor at two universities, including UMKC, and has written several books. His was a life well-lived.Story links:This is the strangest NFL Draft and offseason ever. Why that’s good for the Chiefs“One of the good guys.” Former Chiefs defensive lineman Pellom McDaniels dies as 52 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the NFL Draft on the clock, we turn back the clock to about this time in 2017. The draft approached and the Chiefs held the No. 27 selection. There was some talk of taking a quarterback in the first round for the first time since 1983, but which one. The top rated prospects that year were North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes.Three years later, we know what the scoreboard says. Mahomes has won a regular season MVP and a Super Bowl MVP, leading the Chiefs to the championship in February. Nobody outside the Chiefs facility saw this coming—and show of hands of those inside the facility who envisioned this success so quickly—but there was talk about Mahomes’ potential.Then-Chiefs beat writer Terez Paylor, now with Yahoo Sports, joined Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff to talk about what we remembered about the days leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft. What did we get right and wrong about the Mahomes’ speculation? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Draft will happen next week from home offices and basements throughout the league. This shut-in setting was created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken the event from glitzy Las Vegas to the sanctity of home. But the show goes on. It will be one of the few live sporting events to occur in the past month.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke to the challenges of the unique setting, the Chiefs objectives in the draft and took questions about the contracts of defensive tackle Chris Jones, who will play on the franchise tag this year, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Story links:Chiefs Mock 3.0: Draft fast approaching, we’re sticking with a linebacker at No. 32 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri had just started its spring football practices when the COVID-19 coronavirus hit and things were shut down after three workouts. The situation is difficult for every college football program, but Mizzou was dealt an extra burden because the Tigers are breaking in a new coach and new starting quarterback.So how are the Tigers navigating this dilemma? On this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Mizzou beat writer Souichi Terada provides updates on football as well as MU’s men’s basketball program and discusses with KC Star colleague and host Blair Kerkhoff his recent story about the athletic department’s budget.Story links:How would a lost SEC football season impact Mizzou athletics and it’s bottom line?Moving on from recruiting misses, let’s review Mizzou’s basketball roster and needs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring is in the air, but spring football on college campuses has been grounded. So let’s play a little what-might-have-been at Kansas State and Kansas. If spring football had continued what were the biggest questions that confronted those programs?Beat writers Kellis Robinett and Jesse Newell talk K-State and KU football, along with some other topics like NFL Draft prospects from those schools, beer sales at Kansas State, Kansas and Missouri – that’s from a story by Kellis that appeared over the weekend and is linked to in the show notes – plus the issues with re-starting a college football season. What might it happen, when will the sport return and how might it look?Story links:Fans embrace beer sales at KU, K-State, Mizzou by guzzling Bud Light, Michelob ExtraWhen college football returns, Big 12 should be loaded at quarterback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs figure to have as many 20 starters returning from their Super Bowl championship game. That’s a remarkably high number, and it’s been suggested that consistent success in the NFL requires position turnover, new faces and ideas to keep a team energized. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger have a different take on SportsBeat KC.Also, what sport is best positioned to re-start in a curve-flattening COVID-19 world? How would a different division alignment impact the Royals if baseball plays its season at spring training sites in Arizona and Florida? And where should Border War football games between Missouri and Kansas be played, on campus or Arrowhead?Story links:Inside MLB’s hiatus with Alex Gordon: Royals outfielder riffs on possible returnFormer Chiefs assistant coach and MU star Brock Olivo unbowed by quarantine in Italy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sporting KC was off to a flying start in Major League Soccer play. The 2-0 record included the best goal differential in the league. That’s where things stand more than a month later with the season suspended in the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Matt Besler spoke to reporters on a conference call to detail how he and teammates are handling the downtime and project how much time will be needed to regain conditioning when the season returns.Also, you’ll hear broadcast audio and interviews from two of the organization’s greatest moments, the MLS Cup championships of 2000 and 2013. Common to both? Peter Vermes.Story links:Matt Besler and his teammates are locked down. But the training continuesSam Mellinger: Sporting KC at 25: Besler, others recall humble beginnings, rise to gloryArrowhead was lit in blue as Chiefs joined Royals, Sporting to honor healthcare workers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will an NFL team return as many starters next season as the Chiefs? With the signing of cornerback Bashaud Breeland, reported on Thursday, the Chiefs could have up to 20 starters back from the Super Bowl championship team. Why mess with a good thing? On SportsBeat KC, Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope breaks down what the signing of Breeland means to the team and its draft prospects.Also, once Kansas and Missouri renewed their acquaintance in men’s basketball, with a series set to begin this December, it was only a matter of time before football followed. It moved one step closer to becoming a reality on Thursday when TIgers athletic director Jim Sterk sent a letter to boosters saying the schools are close to locking up a series, with Arrowhead Stadium as a possible venue. Mizzou beat writer Souichi Terada and KU beat writer Jesse Newell join Blair Kerkhoff to talk Border War.Story links:Super Bowl champion Chiefs agree to 1-year deal with cornerback Bashaud Breelandhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article241889591.htmlKansas, Mizzou near agreement on 4-game series in dormant but stories football rivalryhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article241889611.htmlKU rebuffed Mizzou for 7 years. Why the timing became right for a Border War renewalhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article237282174.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A plan to have all 30 Major League Baseball teams conduct a season in one area —Phoenix—using the Diamondbacks’ stadium and 10 spring training facilities has been discussed by the sport. Games would be televised but no fans in the stands. Maybe no players in the dugout to practice social spacing.Royals manager Mike Matheny said on a conference call with Kansas City reporters that he’s all for helping the country return to a sense of normalcy even if that means bringing back baseball in this unusual way. Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy also addressed the topic on SportsBeat KC with Blair Kerkhoff, and wondered how it would all come together.Story links:Royals’ Mike Matheny “excited” about prospect of getting back on the baseball field soonhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article241845141.htmlMLB said it has no firm plan to start next month in Arizona, despite reporthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article241825986.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NCAA men’s basketball championship game would have been played on Monday night. College basketball was still on our minds Tuesday. Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett speaks to the revolving door that is the Wildcats’ roster and what it means for Coach Bruce Weber and a program that finished last place in the Big 12 last season.Also, Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel provides his thoughts on Eddie Sutton’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Everyone agrees Sutton, who amassed more than 800 career victories mostly at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma and took three teams to the Final Four, deserved the honor. But Tramel explains how the timing was unfortunate for the Cowboys coaching great.Story links:Kansas State point guard David Sloan will transfer after one season with the WIldcatsWhy junior college point guard Rudi Williams took a leap of faith and committed to K-StateBerry Tramel: Basketball Hall of Fame finally shows some grace to Eddie Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The weekend wasn’t without sports news. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced it class and it was star-studded with inductees like Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant (posthumously), along with regional coaches Eddie Sutton and Kim Mulkey. That announcement is typically made during Final Four weekend, but there was no such occasion this year in the COVID-19 pandemic.Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff remembering great NCAA championship games, and also try to interpret the message from President Donald Trump to commissioners of the major sports leagues about the return to action. Trump said believed the NFL season could start on time in September. What has to happen for that to be true?Story links:Sam Mellinger: Games without fans? If only it were that simple for Royals, MLB, NFL, all other sportsPresident Trump hopes sports return “sooner rather than later” amid coronavirus pandemicThree golf majors announce new dates, while one is canceled because of COVID-19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chiefs fans woke up Friday morning to some good news. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins had signed a one-year deal worth $9 million, with incentives that can take it up to $16 million.That means the team is set to return nearly every major part on offense from its Super Bowl championship team.In this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope joins Blair Kerkhoff to talk about the Watkins signing and what offseason roster decisions remain for the Chiefs. After a break, you’ll hear from Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who — from his home basement Thursday — discussed an array of topics with reporters in a question-and-answer session via teleconference.Story links:Chiefs bring back Sammy Watkins from Super Bowl championship teamAdaptability has been crucial to Andy Reid’s success with Chiefs. It’s serving him well nowAndy Reid working from his basement. How the Chiefs are operating during COVID-19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday was to be Opening Day at the K, the Royals’ home opener. But there’s no baseball, or sports of any kind these days. Still, we can talk baseball, right? Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy and Kansas City Star columnist Vahe Gregorian join Blair Kerkhoff on what started as a Facebook Live and is now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast. We guess at what might have been the lineup today, how big the day would have been for new owner John Sherman and manager Mike Matheny, speculated on what baseball might look like upon its return and when that might be.And we talked baseball movies, because when it comes to sports cinema, no sport has a greater library than baseball.Story links:New Royals owner John Sherman takes advantage of platform to aid “psyche” of cityTop KU med official: June may be too early for Royals returnRex Hudler is missing more than baseball on what would have been Royals’ home opener Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week college basketball would be preparing for the Final Four, and the likely overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Kansas, figured to have a good chance of reaching Atlanta. The team that produced two national defensive players of the years in center Udoka Azubuike and guard Marcus Garrett could have been the fourth Bill Self-coached team to get to a Final Four.Which got us wondering, how would the 2019-20 Jayhawks have stacked up against the Final Four teams of 2008, 2012 and 2018? They were the best combination of talent and peaking-at-the-right-moment in Self’s 17 seasons in Lawrence. Self explained what made this year’s team, which won the Big 12 and finished 28-3 overall, so good, and broke down his other Final Four teams on SportsBeat KC with Blair Kerkhoff.Story links:How Bill Self rates this KU all-star defensive team against his Final Four squadsKansas’ Marcus Garrett named 2019-20 Naismith defensive player of the yearUdoka Azubuike named defensive player of the year by NABC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who wouldn’t want $177? You could pay a bill or have a big night on the town when we’re back to having big nights on the town. What you can’t do with $177 is sign an NFL free agent. But according to one cap space calculation, that’s how much money the Chiefs have left to sign players. Of course that amount with change with the restructuring of deals but you get the picture.The limited space hasn’t stopped the Chiefs from making moves, and beat writer Herbie Teope chats with Blair Kerkhoff about roster changes over the past few days. They’ve resigned wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, while linebacker Reggie Ragland has signed with the Detroit Lions. What’s next for the Chiefs? Maybe looking under the mattress for more cap space.Story links:Chiefs bring back wide receiver Demarcus Robinson on one year dealFormer Chiefs linebacker Reggie Ragland agrees to terms with LionsMellinger Minutes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some sports continue to happen, like NFL free agency and esports competition. But the fields and courts have been silent for competition. That hasn’t stopped award-winning Kansas City Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger from weighing in on COVID-19 pandemic issues. Both filled column inches with stories about mental health and employee welfare during the health crisis. But there is also sports to discuss, and Mellinger has a new venture to discuss on SportsBeat KC.Story links:Dear business owners and managers, Don’t be a jerk. This coronavirus stuff is seriousThe paradox of social distancing: A necessity with perils of its own to be navigatedClassic Chiefs game and a KU basketball tripleheader are on a TV schedule this week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will football season be affected by the covid-19 pandemic?It’s too early to say, and some aspects of college football already have been impacted. There is no spring football and athletes are working out on their own. But a delay of the fall season, or even a cancellation, would have a dramatic impact on all college athletics. National college sportswriter Dennis Dodd spoke to this topic on SportsBeat KC with Blair Kerkhoff.Also, you’ll hear from some coaches who delivered public service announcements over the past two weeks. Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, LSU’s Ed Orgeron, Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas’ Tom Herman are among those who have delivered safety messages.Story links:NCAA, Big 12 confront confront coronavirus-driven fiscal shortcomings and uncertainty to comeDennis Dodd: Will the 2020 college football season be canceled? Coaches, ADs weigh possibility of impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College basketball ended much too soon because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic but the business of roster shaping continues. It’s player transfer season, and our part of the country has had its share. On SportsBeat KC, we talk with beat writers Kellis Robinett, Taylor Eldridge and Souichi Terada to get the latest on early departures at Kansas State, Wichita State and Missouri. The Shockers have been especially bitten hard by the transfer bug with six players leaving.Story links:Official now: Cartier Diarra won’t return for season season at Kansas StateMissouri Tiger basketball player Tray Jackson planning to transferESPN: College basketball transfer rankings for 2020-21 and 2021-22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the baseball season starts after a delay for the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Kansas City Royals will being their 52nd season. Play-by-play man Denny Matthews has been behind the mic for every one of them. So how is the Hall of Fame broadcaster handling the delay?Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and me, Blair Kerkhoff, asked Matthews this and covered many other topics on SportsBeat KC, the Star’s sports podcast. Matthews talks about the delay, his career, and you might be surprised to learn the sport Matthews plays recreationally. Hint: It’s not golf or tennis.And stay tuned for a favorite call (mine) of Matthews’ career.Story links:MLB.com/Royals: Denny Matthews: Hall of Fame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs have a new quarterback. No, there’s nothing wrong with Patrick Mahomes. Ta’amu Jordan was added for position depth. He was off to a terrific start with the St. Louis Battle Hawks of the XFL before that league shut down for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Now, he’s a member of the Chiefs, and beat writer Herbie Teope joins Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC to break down the acquisition, and talk other Chiefs topics, including moves made by AFC West rivals.Story links:Chiefs agree to terms with former XFL quarterback Jordan Ta’amuThree highlights of new Chiefs quarterback Jordan Ta’amu show his versatilityMellinger Minutes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs were down by 10 midway through the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl? Remember when the Royals trailed the Astros by four in the eighth inning of a playoff elimination game? Or Kansas being down nine with about two minutes remaining in the 2008 NCAA title game. The teams overcame huge challenges to prevail. Teams and the region face a different challenge today.The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has halted the games and, in some cases, championships. But athletes have remained active during the health crisis. And so have the fans of those teams. Sam Mellinger and Sam McDowell have been The Kansas City Star sportswriters who have been covering the human side of the pandemic and have written uplifting stories about folks going above and beyond. We talk about the athletes and the fans on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.Story links:As pandemic spreads, an army of volunteers help, one knock on the door at a timeWe’re all in this together: Coronavirus shutdown brings out the best of Kansas CityTwitter Q&A with Chiefs tackle Mitchell SchwartzThe Kansas City Star’s coronavirus coverage (no paywall) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve lost the action of the NCAA Tournament with its cancellation and we’ve also lost the event’s voices. Kevin Harlan brings energy and excitement to every event he covers but he gets especially stoked for March Madness. Without a tournament to call, Harlan found time from his Kansas City home this week to talk about the games, some career highlights and just how the heck perhaps the nation’s busiest broadcaster manages to call the NFL, NBA and college basketball.Harlan is the consummate play-by-play broadcaster who has called games for the Kansas Jayhawks, Missouri Tigers, Kansas City Kings, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Timberwolves. He join Fox Sports in 1994 to call NFL games, and moved to CBS in 1998. He also has spent more than 30 years covering the NBA. The Super Bowl, NCAA Tournament, NBA Playoffs are all part of Harlan’s routine.This week, he spent time talking with The Star’s Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free agency opened this week with plenty of movement around the NFL, especially at quarterbacks. But one of the quieter teams was the Kansas City Chiefs. There are a few reasons for that and beat writer Sam McDowell and columnist Vahe Gregorian break them down on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. The biggest news this was the Chiefs restructuring of Frank Clark’s contract, converting $5 million of Clark’s salary to a signing bonus. That gave the Chiefs salary cap space. What other moves make this week that will have an impact on the Super Bowl champion?Story links:Chiefs live free agency tracker: Team restructures Clark’s contract, creates cap reliefThree reasons why the NFL’s newly ratified CBA contract is good for the Chiefs (and Chris Jones)Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce pledge to help KC in coronavirus pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The college basketball season isn’t quite over. The games are finished but the final Associated Press poll was released on Wednesday and more All-America teams will be announced. Kansas figures prominently in all of it.The Jayhawks are the final top-ranked team for the shortened 2019-20 season and players like Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson are sure to pick up more honors. Also, is there a way for Kansas to win a trophy over a final poll spot? Beat writer Jesse Newell discusses essential KU basketball topics in SportsBeat KC with Blair Kerkhoff.Story links:Kansas Jayhawks voted No. 1 in final Associated Press basketball pollhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article241303891.htmlKansas basketball releases its own “One Shining Moment” videohttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article241297291.htmlThere’s still a slim chance KU could win a national championship trophy. Here’s howhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article241265086.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The start of baseball season has been delayed by strikes and lockouts. A pandemic? This will be a first.Spring training facilities have closed down two weeks before opening day and the new start has been pushed back until at least May. KC Star Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy discusses how spring training was unfolding in Surprise, Ariz., and how some veteran talent provided encouraging signs in the bullpen.You won’t hear “Play Ball” for a while, but you can definitely hear Lynn and Blair Kerkhoff talk baseball on this episode of the SportsBeat KC podcast.Story links:MLB acknowledges season will start later than April 9, Royals staff to work from homeMellinger MInutes: Keep your social distance, and let’s get through this togetherRoyals letter to fans: Sports should never stand in the way of greater good Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports on the court or field? Not happening. Sports over the phone? You bet. Coronavirus has shut down competition in prettu much all sports, but NFL free agency opened on schedule Monday and the Chiefs were heavily involved. Their franchise tag was applied to defensive lineman Chris Jones. Now what? KC Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join Blair Kerkhoff to discuss the Chiefs on this episode of the SportsBeatKC podcast made from a Monday Facebook Live broadcast.Story links:Chiefs live free agency tracker: Chris Jones, Damien Wililams, Xavier WilliamsChiefs to utilize non-exlusive franchise tag on Chris Jones, here’s what’s nextTyreek Hill donates meals to those effected by coronavirus, asks teammates to do same Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A headline in The Kansas City Star in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks read: Sports, ppd. As NFL, college football and baseball games were being called off the sports world came to a halt. So it is today because of COVID-19 coronavirus. NCAA championships — including men’s and women’s basketball — have been canceled. It’s a remarkable moment in American sports, and we talk about it on SportsBeat KC.Well, most of it. When Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian taped their segment, we knew the major college tournaments were cancelled and speculated that would happen to the NCAA. But that officially did not happen until after the taping.We talk about this strange, new world of sports on SportsBeat KC.Story links:No March Madness: NCAA cancels all winter and spring championshipsBig 12 basketball tournaments are canceled before Thursday’s games in Kansas CityMLB suspends spring training, start of Royals season delayed at least two weeksKU athletic events “suspended indefinitely” because of coronavirus outbreak, AD says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a remarkable announcements, the NCAA and Big 12 said no spectators would be allowed to attend its men’s and women’s tournament games this year because of the coronavirus. Wow. The Big 12 ban begins on Thursday. That’s the second day of the men’s event at Sprint Center and first day for the women at Municipal AuditoriumMore than 650,000 fans attended last year’s men’s NCAA tournament, including 72,000 for the championship game. This year? When the event starts in Dayton, Ohio, next week for the opening rounds, only team personnel, some family members and building staff will be allowed in.Kansas’ Bill Self coaches the best team in college basketball. He had heard about the NCAA’s decision only minutes before he met reporters at the Big 12 tournament the day before his first game. This topic took up nearly all of his time and we’re presenting it to you in its entirety on this bonus edition of SportsBeat KC, the KC Star’s daily sports podcast.After, Self, you’ll hear from Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who explained why his conference touranments were limited spectators.Story links:NCAA, Big 12 bar fans from hoops tournaments because of growing coronavirus concernshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/ncaa/article241100916.htmlGeneral public will be barred from Big 12 tournaments beginning Thursdayhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/big-12-tournament/article241111516.htmlHere’s something you’ve never seen before. Big 12, NCAA tourneys with no fans aroundhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article241100086.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Big 12 Tournament begins Wednesday and as of early afternoon there were no plans to alter event’s schedule or play games in a Sprint Center without fans because of coronavirus. But Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby did not rule out any possibility when he met with a small group of reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Hear the entire conversation with Bowlsby on SportsBeat KC.Also, Missouri is off to Nashville, Tenn., for the SEC Tournament, and the Tigers aren’t playing on the first day. Tenth-seeded Mizzou opens on Thursday against No. 7 seed Texas A&M. The Aggies swept Missouri during the regular season but Mizzou has won five of its final nine games. Beat writer Souichi Terada previews the Tigers.Story links:Worried about coronavirus at Kansas City’s Big 12 tournament? Experts say how to be safeEver-changing implications of coronavirus, plain uncertainty linger over Big 12 tournamentHow far can Missouri go in SEC tournament? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s new with the Chiefs? No more Mahomes Magic Crunch, players taking to social media to make their free agent statements, and the collective bargaining agreement voting this week. The NFL off-season is about to get busy with free agency and franchise tagging dates approaching. Chiefs beat writer Sam McDowell helps break it down on SportsBeat KC.Also, Kansas State floundered for most of the regular season. But the Wildcats played their best game in weeks in the season finale victory over Iowa State. Does mean the Wildcats carry momentum into their Big 12 tournament opener on Wednesday against Kansas State? Hear what Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett has to say.Story links:Patrick Mahomes’ cereal will be leaving shevles despite massive salesSammy Watkins tweets of “next adventure” and Chiefs fans hope that means his vacationKansas State hoping to make history at Big 12 Tournament after lousy regular season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s see, over the past five days, Kansas announced its 307-page response to the NCAA Notice of Allegations, won at Texas Tech to capture the outright Big 12 championship, and had players honored by the conference, including center Udoka Azubuike as player of the year. Quite a stretch for the Jayhawks, and Kansas City Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian break down what it all means on SportsBeat KC. Next stop for KU and the rest of the conference: the Big 12 Tournament at Sprint Center.Story links:Jayhawks pick up two top individual honors from Big 12 coachesKansas Jayhawks hold off Texas Tech and win Big 12 championship outrightHere are five notable sections from KU’s response to its NCAA notice of allegations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas issued its response to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations issued in September and it was forceful. No spirit of cooperation here. KU will fight each of the five Level I allegations against the men’s basketball program, including head coach Bill Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend. KU beat writer Jesse Newell helps us make sense of the Kansas response on SportsBeat KC.Also, the KC Roos women’s basketball program made history on Thursday. The team headed by third-year coach Jacie Hoyt won on Thursday night to clinch the outright Western Athletic Conference championship. It’s first league title for either basketball program since joining a conference in 1994. We hear from Hoyt and players Awal Ajak and Ericka Mattingly.Story links:KU, Self respond to NCAA allegations: “Misguided, unprecedented, and meritless”Sam Mellinger: KU basketball vs. the NCAA: a bloody war with no winnersKansas City Roos women’s basketball team envisioned a conference championship, then won it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Udoka Azubuike was a beast. The Kansas senior center finished with 31 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in his final game at Allen Fieldhouse as the Jayhawks defeated TCU to capture no worse than a share of the Big 12 championship. Kansas had trouble pulling away from the hot-shooting Horned Frogs and needed all of Azubuike’s production. Does KU have what it takes to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament? Sam Mellinger and Jesse Newell join Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC to discuss Kansas and the Big 12.Story links:Why the Big 12 title meant so much to KU’s point guard, on verge of Bill Self-era historyKansas Jayhawks win Big 12 title. Their greatest challenge starts nowKU’s Moss, Azubuike speak to fans after win over TCU: “Let’s go to Atlanta” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On SportsBeat KC, college basketball leads off with a conversation with the winningest men’s coach over the previous four years. Ben McCollum speaks to what has made his Northwest Missouri State program, the NCAA Division II champion in two of the past three years and the current top-ranked team, so successful.What makes NFL prospects successful? To those who play safety or linebacker it’s emulating the Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu. We heard a lot about that at the NFL Combine last week, and Mathieu was asked about his game as a model.Story links:College basketball’s most successful program? Check out Northwest Missouri StatePower of putting others first made Tyrann Mathieu crucial to Chiefs’ Super Both berth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs could be forced to make some difficult decisions regarding free agents for 2020 because of the salary cap. But what if the NFL cap spikes the following year? Could that change the Chiefs approach with such players as defensive lineman Chris Jones? Star columnist Sam Mellinger speaks to this and other Chiefs issues on SportsBeat KC. Also, Sam weighs in on Kansas, the nation’s unanimously top-ranked basketball team entering the final week of the regular season.Story links:Mellinger Minutes: New Chiefs are Chief’n, what matters with Royals and college hoopsFansided: NFL salary cap to spike to $240 million in 2021KU’s Azubuike sheds boot, will do everything he can to heal in time for TCU game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Combine is over and it’s on to the next NFL off-season thing, free agency. Star beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell spent last week in Indianapolis talking to prospects, team personnel and agents and share their thoughts on SportsBeat KC. Also, Kansas City hosted the annual Committee of 101 Awards on Saturday. It’s the city’s salute to pro football and brought such stars as Lamar Jackson, Stephon Gilmore and Michael Thomas to town. The 50th annual event also saluted the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, and hear what Jackson and Ravens Coach John Harbaugh had to say about their AFC rival.Story links:If Chiefs seek an every down linebacker in draft, NFL combine has mid-round optionsAn Olathe North grad is on the verge of becoming a top 10 pick in the NFL DraftA night to celebrate pro football in Kansas City, Chiefs and Mahomes drew bulk of the praise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The nation’s top-ranked team returns to action on Saturday when Kansas visits Kansas State in the 293rd Sunflower Showdown. Although KU is tied for first in the Big 12 and the Wildcats are buried in last place, emotions run high for this game, evidenced by the brawl that punctuated their meeting last month in Lawrence. KU beat writers Jesse Newel and Gary Bedore talk about the contest and other topics with host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.Story links:Kansas Coach Bill Self expects K-State crowd to be “turned up” for Saturday’s rematchIf KU basketball gets an overall No. 1 seed, Bill Self would have a choice to makeK-State basketball on the verge of making history for all the wrong reasons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a busy SportsBeat KC episode. Star columnist Sam Mellinger joins host Blair Kerkhoff to look ahead of Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown from a Kansas State perspective. The WIldcats are in last place a year after winning the Big 12. What does that mean for K-State Coach Bruce Weber.Mellinger is fresh off a trip to spring training, where he scored an exclusive interview with Royals catcher Salvador Perez. The perennial Gold Glover had some surprising things to say about his future in Kansas City.Also, you’ll hear from Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons. His stock is soaring as an NFL prospect and he played his high school football at Olathe North. SImmons was lightly recruited by area schools. How did that happen? Star reporter Sam McDowell was part of the interview group looking for answers.Story links:Royals catcher Salvador Perez is back, and different: “Having seen him this focused.”K-State basketball on the verge of making history for all the wrong reasons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Combine is underway and that means Chiefs are stepping to the podium. General manager Brett Veach addressed the contract decisions involving Chris Jones, Sammy Watkins and others. Also, with a handful of spring training games in the books, the Royals have gotten looks from former star reliever Greg Holland and outfield prospect Khalil Lee. How did they perform? Beat writer Lynn Worthy checks in from Surprise, Arizona, on SportsBeat KC.Story links:Here’s what Chiefs’ Brett Veach said about Chris Jones’ contract, other mattersChiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not need knee surgery, Andy Reid saysGreg Holland has solid first outing in return to Royals as KC faces Hosmer’s PadresThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri has steadied the ship in basketball. The Tigers are 3-2 in their past five games, a run that includes their first successive SEC triumphs. Is it enough for Mizzou to begin thinking about a postseason appearance? Beat writer Souichi Terada and columnists Vahe Gregorian discuss coach Cuonzo Martin’s group and take an early look ahead to spring football, which begins in less than two weeks, on SportsBeat KC.Story links:What must Mizzou do to win on the road? Tigers need to get over the humpDespite loss, Missouri’s Kobe Brown turns in career day at ArkansasMissouri basketball buried by three-pointers in streak-snapping loss to ArkansasThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Scouting Combine is like speed dating. Teams get to know prospects quickly through scouting and interviews and have to make a decision about a relationship over the next few weeks.The Super Bowl champion Chiefs join 31 other teams at the event in Indianapolis, some of which will be televised by the NFL in primetime, and covering the combine are The Star’s Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell. Before heading out, they joined Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC.Story links:Action away from NFL Scouting Combine workouts essential for Chiefs in draft processChiefs offensive line rated well in one area, could use improvement in anotherNFL dynasties start somewhere. We look back at five to see if Chiefs can join themThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Third-ranked Kansas has won 11 straight games and stands 12-1 in the Big 12. But that’s not good enough to lead the league. Top-ranked Baylor rides a 23-game winning streak into Saturday’s game against the Jayhawks in Waco, Texas. They’re two of the nation’s top defensive teams, and Baylor has already won in Lawrence. What are the factors that will decide this college basketball game of the year? KU beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the game with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff.Story links:Versatile KU forward David McCormick explains efficiency with both handshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article240383141.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s one thing to watch a college basketball game but if your team is having a good season, you want to know where it might stand in the NCAA Tournament selection pecking order. That’s where Joe Lunardi comes in. Lunardi has been projecting brackets since the mid-1990s and has helped turn bracketology into its own sport for ESPN. Many project brackets. No one is more popular than Lunardi, How does he do it? What are his concerns? And how did bracketology come up during a golf outing in Ireland?Story links:Joe Lunardi on the slice of March Madness he helped create, bracketologyESPN’s bracketology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Tuesday’s heart-stopping triumph against Mississippi, Missouri has won three of four and is playing its best basketball of the season. Reasons for the improvement? Start with the terrific play of point guard Xavier Pinson, who has scored 60 in the previous two games.On the opposite track is Kansas State, which can’t buy a victory these days. The Wildcats take a five-game losing streak into Wednesday’s game at Texas Tech.Beat writers Souichi Terada and Kellis Robinett check in to talk about their teams on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.Story links:“I felt untouchable:” How Mizzou’s Xavier Pinson dominated MississippiAs Mizzou hoops heat up, Tigers enter critical stretch with SEC standing at stakeWhy K-State Coach Bruce Weber is considering a new starting five against Texas TechWhy Bruce Weber thinks Kansas State is due for some good luck after latest Big 12 lossThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Herbie Teope likes to call it, “speculation season” in the NFL as commenced. As Sam McDowell responds, “When is it not speculation season?” But free agency for the Chiefs has been a popular topic since their Super Bowl victory, and the Chiefs beat writers join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff and discussing the futures of players like Chris Jones, Bashaud Breeland, Sammy Watkins, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Kendall Fuller, Mike Pennel and more.Story links:Without much salary cap space, Chiefs will need creativity to manage 2020 rosterDefensive line stood tall in playoff run, specially with sacks, but changes loomThe Chiefs good Chris Jones problem and what KC can do about this off seasonThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest AP basketball poll is out with no change at the top. Baylor is first, Kansas is third, meaning their meeting on Saturday in Waco will be the biggest game of the college basketball season. The Bears are bidding to become the first 18-0 team in Big 12 history, while the Jayhawks also are having a FInal Four-type season. How did they get here, and what does their success mean for the Big 12?Story links:Kansas Jayhawks having a top-seed type of season but chasing Baylor in Big 12https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/article240354226.htmlMarcus Morris No. 22 jersey to be retired in KU rafters Monday nighthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article240324576.htmlWith old friend Svi in the stands, Marcus Garrett sparks Kansas Jayhawks’ big win over OUhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article240244676.htmlBaylor Bears’ men’s basketballhttps://baylorbears.com/sports/mens-basketballThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A baseball milestone birthday was celebrated this week. The Negro Leagues turned 100, and the occasion was recognized in the place of its birth. On Feb. 13, 1920 the Negro National League was formed at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, and this week that’s where baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Royals owner John Sherman and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick joined others to celebrate the birthday. SportsBeat KC was there to record their tributes.Story links:Negro Leagues at 100: A story of resiliency, courage and America to be shared foreverA year with the Negro Leagues: Players visit iconic KC museum to connect past, presentThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After trailing for most of the game, Kansas picked up a huge victory on Wednesday, defeating West Virginia 58-49. The Jayhawks dominated down the stretch getting get play from Marcus Garrett, Isaiah Moss and Devon Dotson. KU beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the game and discusses the Marcus Morris jersey retirement on Monday on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.Story links:KU’s defense has been stellar, especially in last two Big 12 road victoriesA pretty good guess what went into Marcus Garrett’s best steal vs. WVUKU basketball will retire Marcus Morris’ jersey this month, Bill Self announcesThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chiefs are the topic for Star sports columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian. Last week’s Super Bowl championship held deeper meaning for the city than just a championship celebration, and is there a way for the Chiefs to be financially creative and not only sign quarterback Patrick Mahomes to the NFL’s most lucrative contract but also find a way to give defensive lineman Chris Jones a deal he’s earned?Story links:Mellinger Minutes: Time for wasp? Keeping the Chiefs together...and the Royals?Pelosi pays up on Super Bowl bet as Cleaver predicts championship repeatChiefs fans left a reminder of Super Bowl LIV victory at Hank Stram’s graveThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sporting KC finds itself in an odd position, entering the season as the hunter and not the hunted. For the first time in nine seasons, the club missed the postseason and finished with more losses than victories. A new season dawns and Manager and Sporting Director Peter Vermes sat down with The Star’s Sam McDowell for a revealing conversation about what went right and wrong last season and prospects for 2020.Story links:After arriving in KC, new Sporting striker Alan Pulido soaked up Chiefs playoff winSporting KC adds midfielder Gida Kinda on 1-year loan from Isreali Preimer League teamSporting KC’s second jersey for 2020 pays homage to Children’s Mercy ParkThanks to our sponsor: Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices