SportsBeat KC

Kansas starts defense of its NCAA Tournament championship on a similar spot on the bracket, as a No. 1 seed. But the Jayhawks start the quest from the West instead of the Midwest Region.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha discuss all things KU from the health of Coach Bill Self, who missed the Big 12 tournament with a cardiac episode, to the availability of defensive standout Kevin McCullar to how the team displayed superb and disappointing play in Kansas City last weekend.Also, just how did Kansas, with the best resume in college basketball, wind up in the West instead of the Midwest, where the Sweet 16 is set for Kansas City?Location of the regional may not matter as much as the path. KU appears to have drawn a difficult one.Story link:Did the Kansas Jayhawks get lucky or unlucky with 2023 NCAA Tournament draw?https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article273050345.html#subtopper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is this Richmond AFC’s year? Can Jamie Tartt, Sam Obisanya, and Dani Rojas provide the leadership to take Coach Ted Lasso’s club to a championship level? Today’s SportsBeat KC podcast goes inside Richmond AFC’s quest to climb the ranks in the English Premier League.Or nothing like that.But today’s show is about Ted Lasso, the show that begins its third season on Apple TV+ and has enjoyed more success than the team with seven Emmys, including two for best comedy series. Star coumnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the show, and after a break, Ted Lasso himself, Jason Sudeikis, spent time with Gregorian on a zoom call.They chatted about the show’s international popularity, sports and soccer as a vehicle for Ted Lasso’s message of hope and kindness. As fans of the show know, “Believe,” is a recurring theme.Story link:Believe: As ‘Ted Lasso’ returns, Jason Sudeikis is still astounded by its impacthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article272899905.html#storylink=mainstage_lead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas enters the Big 12 men’s tournament as the top seed as the first-place finisher of the regular season, but the Jayhawks will have a difficult path if they’re to repeat as champion.It’s possible for KU and many other teams in the field to meet only opponents that NCAA Tournament bound this week at T-Mobile Center. That’s how good the Big 12 was this year.Kansas enters the event coming off a loss at Texas, the tournament’s No. 2 seed. The Jayhawks will open the tournament on Thursday at 2 p.m., against the winner of the West Virginia-Texas Tech game on Wednesday.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha share their thoughts on the Jayhawks and offer a prediction on the tournament.Story link:Your Kansas Jayhawks guide to the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament in Kansas Cityhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article272798605.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re getting used to this in Kansas City: The top-rated men’s basketball conference is the Big 12. The best conference tournament? Also the Big 12.The annual show comes to T-Mobile Center for the men starting on Wednesday and the women’s tournament begins at Municipal Auditorium on Sunday.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down the men’s tournament, a even in which nearly every game will match teams that will be playing in the NCAA Tournament the following week.Kansas is the top seed, followed by Texas, Kansas State and Baylor. Seven Big 12 teams should be in the NCAA field, and it’s possible an eighth team could get there.There could be two teams that reach the NCAA playing in Wednesday’s opening round. And for planning purposes, the tournaments will remain in Kansas City through at least 2027.Story link:Here’s the schedule for the Big 12 men’s tournamenthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article272753360.html#storylink=mainstage_cardHere’s the schedule for the Big 12 women’s tournamenthttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/big-12-tournament/article272759070.html#storylink=mainstage_lead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For its excellent regular season Missouri’s men’s basketball team was rewarded with two days off. For the first time since joining the SEC, the Tigers played their way to the double-bye, and advance straight to Friday’s quarterfinal round.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Mizzou beat writer Matt Stahl, breaks down the TIgers latest conquest–a tight triumph over Ole Miss in Columbia on Saturday–and looks ahead to the SEC Tournament in Nashville, where Missouri is the No. 4 seed.It’s been a remarkable season for the program in Coach Dennis Gates’ first season. Can MIssouri keep it going in the postseason?After a break, you’ll hear from Star sports reporter Pete Grathoff, who for this show doubles as a television critic. We discuss Travis Kelce’s performance as host for the most recent Saturday Night Live, and maybe it’s regional bias, but we both give him a thumb’s up for his performance.Story link:Mizzou locks up double-bye in SEC Tournament with victory over Ole Misshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article271326152.html#storylink=mainstage_lead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first year of free agency for the National Women’s Soccer League, the Kansas City Current came away the big winner. The club that nearly turned in a worst-to-first season by playing in the NWSL championship game, landed several big name players, including Debinha.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star soccer beat writer Daniel Sperry breaks down the acquisitions and details how they’ll look to help put the Current over the top..Will it be enough to push the Current ahead of the Portland Thorns, the defending NWSL champion?Story links:Kansas City Current have built 2023 team around positive culture: “We find the joy.”https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article272627134.html#storylink=mainstage_leadKansas City Current add star power, World Cup experience with addition of Debinhahttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article270935762.html#storylink=mainstage_card Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL scouting combine rolls on from Indianapolis where teams are getting a look at college players who could be part of the NFL Draft on April 27-29 in Kansas City.It’s also where coaches and team officials speak with reporters, and for the first time since their Super Bowl LVII victory, Chiefs coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach addressed the team’s needs in the off-season.You’ll hear their entire interviews on today’s SportsBeat KC. They talk about the afterglow of a Super Bowl victory, the contract decisions that have to be made on playes like Orlando Brown Jr., and Frank Clark and more.Story link:The Chiefs need pass rushers. These prospects have talked with Chiefs, Andy Reidhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article272633512.html#storylink=mainstage_lead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another season, another Big 12 men’s basketball championship for Kansas. The Jayhawks clinched at least a share for the title with Tuesday’s victory over Texas Tech. KU didn’t trail in the second half but never got comfortable in the four-point outcome on Senior Day.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha discuss the big moments and turning points in the game and draw a bigger picture of this season for KU, which wasn’t picked to win the league.Also, with one goal achieved, it’s time to begin looking forward toward the postseason. Yes, one regular season game remains, a showdown at Texas on Saturday, but now it’s all about March for the defending NCAA champion. Can KU become the first team in more than 15 years to repeat?Story link:Three takeaways from KU’s basketball win over Texas Tech that clinched the Big 12 titlehttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article272628830.html#subtopper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Didn’t the Chiefs just conduct a Super Bowl parade? Yes, but the business of the NFL rolls on. The league’s scouting Combine has started in Indianapolis and teams begin to plot their course for next season.On today’s SportsBeat KC, we talk NFL and Chiefs with Joe DeLeone and Herbie Teope.DeLeone is an executive producer of the Bleav Podcast Newtork, who also produces daily college football and NFL Draft video content to YouTube. He provides a Combine lesson and gets specific about quarterback prospects and Chiefs needs.After a break, Teope, who covers the Chiefs for The Star, drills down on the Super Bowl champs, and projects who could and might not be back next season.Ten draft picks from last year were part of the Super Bowl winning roster. That’s why the combine matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas State men’s basketball team was far from full strength during its last two trips to the NCAA Tournament.Dean Wade, one of the best players in school history, broke his foot days before the postseason arrived in both 2018 and 2019. Talk about bad luck. It was a cruel twist of fate that severely limited the Wildcats not once but twice during March Madness.For that reason, K-State fans still ask hypothetical questions about those two seasons. The main one: What if Wade stayed healthy?Kamau Stokes, who played point guard for those teams, is happy to provide an answer.“We definitely would have won the NCAA Tournament,” Stokes said during a wide-ranging interview you can listen to on the SportsBeat KC podcast. “For sure. Absolutely, no question.”K-State came close to winning it all even without Wade in 2018. That season, Barry Brown and Stokes led the Wildcats to wins over Creighton, UMBC and Kentucky on their way to the Elite Eight before bowing out against Loyola-Chicago.With a healthy Wade back in the lineup the following year, K-State won 25 games and shared a Big 12 championship with Texas Tech. But its postseason run was much shorter, as the Wildcats suffered a first-round upset against UC-Irvine with Wade watching from the bench.Which year would K-State have won a national title with a healthy Wade? Stokes had an answer for that, too.“I would say both, actually, to be honest,” Stokes said. “When we were seniors, I wouldn’t say we had an easy road, because of the tournament. Anyone can win on any given day. But it was a very promising road to the Sweet 16 again.”Stokes scored 1,242 career points during his four seasons with the Wildcats. He helped Brown and Wade guide K-State to three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament under former coach Bruce Weber and remains a fan favorite at Bramlage Coliseum.Right now, Stokes is living in Manhattan while he recovers from a knee injury. He has spent the past few years playing professionally overseas and hopes to continue his pro career when he returns to full strength.Stokes has been in the stands for every K-State game this year. During this interview, he shared his thoughts on the current team and new coach Jerome Tang. He likes what he sees, but he thinks his teams were better.That is one of the reasons he still wonders what could have been during K-State’s last two trips to the NCAA Tournament.“We talk about it all the time,” Stokes said. “I would have really liked for Dean to be there. Dean makes the job easy. He would have made everything way easier.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three games remain in the Big 12’s regular season and there is plenty left to be determined.Kansas and Texas are tied for first with a final game showdown set for next week in Austin. Player and coach of the year, all-conference selections, NCAA Tournament seeding...all on the line over the next few games.On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Kellis Robinett, who covers Kansas State and the Big 12, breaks down the race, the awards and the bracketology. It’s been an amazing year for the conference, which will enter the NCAA Tournament in two weeks with a majority of its teams in the field.Four months of tight regular-season play has built toward a dramatic finish. After that, March Madness awaits for Kansas, K-State and other Big 12 programs.How does KU win a conference championship? A closer look at the Big 12 standing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The interviews for players and coaches at Super Bowl LVII have ended but the conversation continues on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast. Columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell plus beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope broke down the game and discussed the storylines for the Chiefs’ third Super Bowl appearance in the past four years.We made the case for the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that matches top seeds from the AFC and NFC for the first time since 2017, when the Eagles defeated the Patriots. Who needs to come up big for the Chiefs in this one? We identify a few candidates.It’s the Andy Reid game, the Kelce family contest, the first Super Bowl to match black quarterbacks (and Big 12 quarterbacks). And Patrick Mahomes looks to become the first to follow winning the NFL MVP with a Super Bowl title since the Rams’ Kurt Warner in 1999. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whew! The Super Bowl media sessions are over. Chiefs and Eagles spent part of the past four days chatting it up with reporters and now that obligation is out of the way. It will soon be about playing Super Bowl LVII instead of talking about it.On today’s SportsBeat KC we caught up with a handful of Chiefs, starting with Travis Kelce. He spoke about redefining the tight end position and how his brother Jason, the Eagles center, was his lifeline in college.Next up is defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He speaks to the difficulty in defending Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and the RPO.We leave the field for the front office. Chiefs president Mark Donovan comments on the meaning of the NFL Draft coming to Kansas City in April. It be the biggest fan event in the city’s history.Chris Jones brings it home. He was asked about his Super Bowl experience and compared he range of emotions in winning and losing a Super Bowl in consecutive years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chiefs CEO and owner Clark Hunt said he learned some big lessons some 12-15 years ago, when things weren’t going well for the Chiefs, that led him to make some philosophical changes that led to the success the organization now enjoys.“I think about that period frequently,” Hunt said. “I knew we were going to have a tough time. When I took over we have a very old roster and had not drafted well.”Hunt shared that idea and many others on Tuesday at the Super Bowl with a small group of reporters. You’ll hear the entire interview on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast originating this week from the Super Bowl.Hunt recalled details about hiring Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach, shared his ideas on changing revenue streams and how that can impact decisions on a future stadium, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like the Kelce family, with brothers competing on each side of Super Bowl LVII, former Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Valerio has flags planted in both Kansas City and Philadelphia.Valerio spent five of his six NFL seasons playing center with the Chiefs. Among his claims to fame: He caught four touchdown passes.Valerio grew up in Philly, was the Chiefs’ second-round draft pick in 1991 and now lives in Philadelphia. He also co-hosts the Bleav in Chiefs podcast. Few have better perspective on both teams than Valerio, who once owned a fantasy football team called the “Kans-adelphia Chee-gals.”As a former lineman, Valerio looks at strategies from the trenches and breaks down how the Chiefs’ offensive line play has specifically helped Patrick Mahomes, who Valerio said has mastered finding “the pocket within the pocket” as linemen hold their blocks.In defending the Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts, a key for the Chiefs is discipline against the run-pass-option.“The RPO is dangerous,” Valerio said. “You have to feel what it’s like not to get blocked and to be optioned (by Hurts). A linebacker has to hold his ground and see what Jalen does.”After a break, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. explains why he’s motivated by Mahomes, a fellow Texan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs have been here before and recently. They’re preparing to play in the third Super Bowl in three years when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz. So, this week, and not next, is the heavy lifting with the game plan.We talk about what the Chiefs looked to get done this week and several other topics on today’s SportsBeat KC, the Star’s daily sports podcast, with columnist Sam McDowell and beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope.Also discussed: Does either team have an edge on Super Bowl path? The Chiefs played two one-possession games and survived an emotional nail-biter over the Cincinnati Bengals for the AFC crown. The Eagles? They walloped the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers by a combined 69-14 score. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs spoke to reporters for the first time since qualifying for Super Bowl LVII, which means they’re speaking to you on SportsBeat KC. You’ll hear from Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Frank Clark and Nick Bolton on today’s show.Reid provided the update on injuries. The Chiefs had to deal with several during the game against the Bengals. Who does Reid expect to play against the Philadelphia EaglesMahomes provided an update on his high ankle sprain. Clark spoke about his special relationship with Reid, and Bolton said he doesn’t take for granted that he plays for a team that been to a Super Bowl and AFC title game in his first two years.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game meant a Super Bowl berth for Kansas City but there is deeper meaning to the organization, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss these topics on today’s SportsBeat KC. How much did the Chiefs need to win to continue to claim they’re the top dogs in AFC, and same for Mahomes as the league’s top quarterback. Losing to the Bengals and Joe Burrow for a second straight year would have made the case more difficult to make.Also, how would history look at the Chiefs if they get a Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles? It would make Mahomes, Reid and many others multiple NFL champions and that’s a small circle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is the locker room show podcast. SportsBeat KC goes into the Chiefs’ locker room and the interview room and you’ll hear from several of the key players in the team’s victory over the Cinicinnati Bengals for the AFC Championship.From the locker room, you’ll hear from kicker Harrison Butker, who booted a 45-yard game-winning field goal with three seconds remaining; also, from safety Bryan Cook, one of ten rookies who played in the game and among the many who made an impact. Cook’s pass break-up led to a fourth-quarter interception.Three of the game’s biggest stars told their stories from the podium: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. Hear what they had to say about the game and their roles and the meaning of a third Super Bowl appearance in four years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the third time in four years, the Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl. And we couldn’t wait to discuss it.On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell broke down the Chiefs’ 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. Along the way, we focus on heroes that were expected, like Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones, and some that weren’t, like rookie Skyy Moore.The game came down to big plays by all three units: the defense that produced the Jones sack to take the Bengals off the field for a final time; the offense that got the Chiefs into field-goal range; and the special teams play that saw Moore’s long punt return and Harrison Butker’s game-winning 45 yard field-goal.A team victory indeed.Catch all of the coverage of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run to Glendale, Ariz., where they’ll meet the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 12, in the print editions of The Star, in the Morning Sports Edition at kansascity.com and through our SportsBeat KC podcasts and livestreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second straight year the Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals will meet in the AFC Championship Game, and it’s time to get in the final words.On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear two conversations with The Star’s coverage team. Beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope break down the key factors from both sides, and what the Chiefs must do differently to end a three-game losing streak to Cincinnati.Also, much will Patrick Mahomes be limited with his high ankle sprain?Then, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian take a broader view of the game from a Chiefs’ perspective. It shapes up as a pivot point in the AFC. A Chiefs victory sends them to their third Super Bowl in four years. A Bengals triumph would allow them to plant the flag in the AFC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first report on Patrick Mahomes’ high ankle sprain and availability for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals came from Mahomes himself through Andy Reid, who referred to a Mahomes’ line after the Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round.“He told you guys, I mean, he mentioned to you that’s he’s going to play,” Reid said. “That’s his mindset, and then we’ll just take it day by day and see how he does.”But Reid cautioned that he wouldn’t know for certain until the team’s first practice on Wednesday.“I’ve got to see how he feels when we get ready to practice,” Reid said.On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian explore the Mahomes topic from all angles, and how the Chiefs are impacted by a less than 100 percent Mahomes against a team they haven’t beaten in three attempts over the past two years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AFC Championship Game is set and it’s on repeat. The Chiefs will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday with the winner headed to the Super Bowl.The meetings between these teams over the past two seasons have been close, all decided by a field goal. The problem for the Chiefs is they’ve lost all of them, even after holding a lead in the fourth quarter in every game.Patrick Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow is the headliner, but there are plenty of other intriguing matchups in this one, and we spend the rest of the week talking about them.But today’s show is dedicated to the Chiefs’ Divisional Round playoff victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chiefs have won 18 playoff games in 63 seasons as a franchise. We’re not about to overlook one.After the Chiefs’ 27-20 victory, beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope discussed the game and the big news that emerged from it, Mahomes’ ankle injury. He missed a series–Chad Henne drove the Chiefs 98 yards for a touchdown–but returned to lead the victory.All signs appear good for Mahomes to play against the Bengals and we’ll learn more about his health this week.Story link:Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals, AFC Championship Game, TV, game time, oddshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article271499837.html#subtopper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a roster standpoint, it had been a mostly quiet off-season for the Royals, but the team made a splash by signing left-handed relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman to a 1-year deal.Maybe the change of scenery will serve Chapman well. He had been a dominant closer for much of his time with the Yankees and the Reds, Blue Jays and Cubs before that, winning a World Series ring in Chicago. But he missed a mandatory team workout before a playoff series and was left off the team’s roster.On today’s show, Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy doesn’t exactly break down the move–the show was taped before it became official–but speculated on what it might mean for the Royals.Also discussed: Brady Singer’s arbitration case, what position Aldaberto Mondesi will play this year and the importance of aquiring Jordan Lyles.Story link:KC Royals roll the dice on high-risk, high-reward free-agent reliever Aroldis Chapmanhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article271392042.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some players are in line for firsts when the Chiefs meet the Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead.Chris Jones seeks his first playoff sack. Trevor Lawrence has never lost a Saturday game, in high school, college or pro football (37-0), Isiah Pacheco has never won a postseason football game.We discuss all of that and much more on SportsBeat KC, the Star’s daily sports podcast, with Chiefs beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope.More talking points: The Chiefs are an 8 1/2-point favorite in a rematch of a regular-season game in which Kansas City won by 10. The weather could be a factor with a rain-snow mix in the forecast. And under Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs haven’t lost a playoff game in this round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Playoff time has arrived in Kansas City. It’s Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday in GEHA Field at Arrowhead, 3:30 p.m., kickoff. Plan accordingly.On today’s SportsBeat KC, we get perspective from both sides. Clay Harbor is a former NFL tight end, who started his career with Andy Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles and played four seasons with the Jags. He co-hosts the Bleav In Jaguars podcast and broke down Jacksonville’s amazing run to finish the regular season and team record-setting comeback victory in the Wild Card Round over the L.A. Chargers. The Jags stormed back from a 27-0 deficit.Harbor, who played at Missouri State, also discussed his years playing for the Eagles staff that included Reid and current Jags coach Doug Pederson.After a break, you’ll hear from Patrick Mahomes and Nick Bolton from the Chiefs’ weekly meeting with reporters. They’re in playoff mode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sunflower Showdown, Part I, is tonight when Kansas visits Kansas State and it’s everything you’d want in a Big 12 game: a pair of ranked teams–KU is No. 2, K-State No. 13–ESPN coverage, what should be incredible atmosphere.Speaking of atmosphere, first-year Wildcats Coach Jerome Tang would like to see things toned down a bit at Bramlage Coliseum. Show love for Kansas State more than hate for Kansas, is the message.You’ll hear that suggestion on today’s SportsBeat KC with beat writer Kellis Robinett. We also discuss a game that could loom large in rankings and seeding.After a break, you’ll hear from KU star Jalen Wilson and Coach Bill Self from their meeting with reporters before the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs know their playoff opponent and it’s time to gear up for the game. Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m., and it’s a rematch of a regular-season meeting.On today’s SportsBeat KC, we look ahead to the game and back at the Chiefs’ 27-17 victory in Week 10 with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell along with columnists Sam McDowell at Vahe Gregorian. How have Coach Doug Pederson’s Jaguars improved since the game, when they left Kansas City with a 3-7 record?We also break down the Jaguars’ remarkable comeback victory over the L.A. Chargers in the Wild Card round and talk about the other games of the first weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a TV remote weekend for the Chiefs as the NFL playoffs commence. As the top seed in the AFC bracket, the Chiefs will watch games instead of playing in one. That happens in the Divisional Round the following weekend.So as the Chiefs flip around the games, who would they want to play next week? That’s our primary topic on today’s SportsBeat KC with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell, along with columnists Vahe Gregorian.We also discuss the rise of running back Jerick McKinnon and what that means for Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and with 10 regular seasons in the books for Andy Reid as the head coach, we chat about the best players to suit up for Big Red. Who are your top five Chiefs of the past decade?Also, we now know if it’s Chiefs-Bills in the AFC Championship Game, the contest will be played at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday...oof.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses Georgia’s dominance over TCU and how the Big 12’s first appearance in the title game became a debacle.Before the game there was other college football news. Announced as College Football Hall of Fame members were former Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop and Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Joining Maclin in the Hall will be fellow former Chiefs Eric Berry and Derrick Johnson.After a break, you’ll hear a few minutes from an interview with Tulane head coach Willie Fritz. The former Central Missouri coach led the Green Wave to an improbable victory over Southern California in the Cotton Bowl last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL playoff field is set, the games are scheduled and the Chiefs get a week off. Those developments were set in motion when the Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 31-13 on Saturday. By winning, the Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the first-round bye.Because the Buffalo Bills won on Sunday, the road to the AFC Championship won’t necessarily run through Kansas City. if the Chiefs and Bills meet for the AFC title, the game will be played at a neutral site.Those topics and other possibilities drove the conversation with Star columnist Sam McDowell and beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell after the victory over the Raiders. The outcome gave the Chiefs a 14-victory regular season for the second time in team history and made them undefeated against AFC West opponents this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The final seconds tick away in a close game against Kansas. The opponent it taking the ball to the basket, and there’s contact with the defender.Foul or no? For the past two games the answer has been no, and the Jayhawks survived both times.On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, college basketball beat writers Gary Bedore, Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha discuss the late no-calls and whether KU gets more than its share of those calls, or non-calls.Also, we discuss the arrival of what might be the most emotional game on the Kansas State schedule for first-year Wildcats coach Jerome Tang: at Baylor. Tang spent 19 years in Waco, working with Bears head coach Scott Drew and helping Baylor build its way up from the bottom of the Big 12 to a national championship.Missouri’s fast start, the next Texas head coach and other topics are also part of this podcast conversation.Story links:Big 12 refs will try to “eliminate” some physical play, per memo. Bill Self’s reactionHow Scott Drew and Jerome Tang are adjusting to live as Big 12 coaching rivals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a regular-season finish like no other in the NFL. As the Chiefs prepare to kick off Week 18 with a Saturday afternoon game at the Las Vegas Raiders, there is uncertainty about how to end the season. The Bills at Bengals game on Monday was suspended after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest in the first quarter.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star beat writers and columnists break down not only the Chiefs-Raiders game but the NFL’s options for the regular-season and playoff schedule. Will the league have Buffalo and Cincinnati resume their game? The issue has a major impact on the Chiefs, who would clinch the top seed in the AFC playoffs if they win Saturday and the Bills and Bengals don’t resume their game.There was also team news with injuries and updates. The conversation started as a SportsBeat Live broadcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, we could have rolled out a SportsBeat KC podcast review of 2022 sports in and round Kansas City in, you know, 2022. But what if Kansas State had won the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve? That would have made anyone’s yearly sports highlight list.So Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell joined host Blair Kerkhoff and did the prudent thing by waiting. The Wildcats did not reward our patience, but their winning the Big 12 championship was one of the area’s biggest stories in a year full of them.A Chiefs victory for the ages, quickly followed by its most crushing defeat in the Patrick Mahomes era; the Tyreek Hill trade; Royals moves and a big decision about their future home; Kansas’ men’s basketball season ending winning streak that continued into football season; Missouri’s hot start in basketball with a new coach.And perhaps the biggest news of all...landing a piece of the planet’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup.We discuss all of those events and more plus look ahead to the moments that will shape Kansas City’s sports landscape in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With their 27-24 victory over the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs made it 15 straight over their AFC West rival, improved to 5-0 in the division and 13-3 overall. What’s not to like about the outcome?Well, if the Super Bowl is the objective, it was a bit discomforting to see the Chiefs continue their special teams problems and for Patrick Mahomes to be off his game early in the second half.We discuss those issues on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s first sports podcast of 2023. The show with columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell along with beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope.The show began as a postgame SportsBeat Live and we discussed what the Chiefs need to accomplish to get back on a Super Bowl path, which continues on Saturday at the Las Vegas Raiders in the final regular season game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Chiefs vs. Broncos on Sunday and Denver has a new coach: Jerry Rosburg, a longtime special teams coach in the NFL and the team’s director of game management operations, was elevated earlier this week when Nathaniel Hackett was fired.What should the Chiefs expect from an interim regime? That’s a topic on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast with Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell and beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell.The Broncos aren’t the only AFC West team that made a big change this week. The Las Vegas Raiders have changed quarterbacks, moving on from longtime starter Derek Carr. The Raiders are the Chiefs’ Week 18 opponent.We also talk wide receivers with Mecole Hardman’s likely return, and how the Chiefs might handle the position group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little chilly, some broken water pipes and hotel issues, Kansas and its fans are working through the problems of the program’s first bowl game in 14 years. But they’re happy to be at the AutoZone LIberty Bowl in Memphis to meet the Arkansas Razorbacks.On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Sheryas Laddha breaks down the bowl experience and the game that matches a pair of 6-6 teams that were ranked during the season.The Jayhawks are ahead of schedule in Coach Lance Leipold’s second season, and Arkansas is in its second straight bowl game under Sam Pittman after missing a bowl game for four straight season.After a break, you’ll hear from the coaches from their press conferences in Memphis.By the way, this marks Kansas’ second Liberty Bowl appearance. Led by quarterback David Jaynes, KU played in the 1973 game and fell to North Carolina State 31-18. A few months later, the schools’ basketball teams reached the Final Four. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Better late than never on our Chiefs postgame conversation. The Chiefs beat the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday 24-10 and beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell discussed the game before leaving the press box to enjoy Christmas the next day.That chat is today’s SportsBeat KC podcast. It holds up. Not much has happened since we talked Chiefs. Well, there is one thing: The next opponent, the Denver Broncos, fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday. The new ownership group had seen enough with the Broncos, who started the year with new quarterback Russell Wilson, coming to Arrowhead with a 4-11 record.Jerry Rosberg, who had been a senior assistant coach and was a longtime Baltimore Ravens assistant, will lead Denver for its final two games.The Chiefs, played well against the Seahawks, and we focus on a super effort by the defense, especially the rookies the Patrick Mahomes touchdown run, and the touchdown machine that Jerick McKinnon has become. So, excuse the Christmas delay and enjoy our Chiefs takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs look to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC West playoff race and will meet the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.The Chiefs and Bills own 11-3 records but the Bills won the matchup earlier this season, so the Chiefs must finish with a better record.We discuss the playoff picture, Harrison Butker’s kicking woes, the potential return of Mecole Hardman and much more on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast with beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope along with columnist Vahe Gregorian.Also, the Pro Bowl rosters have been announced and seven Chiefs were selected. Any obvious snubs? Oh, and the temperature at kickoff could be in single digits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The run-up to Christmas provides Missouri Tigers athletics with a couple of high-profile contests, and we talk about both on today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast.Star columnist Vahe Gregorian previews Thursday’s Braggin’ Rights men’s basketball game against Illinois and then shifts gears for a look at Mizzou’s bowl game against Wake Forest on Friday.Missouri and the Demon Deacons meet on the gridiron for the first time. It’s a strength-on-strength matchup featuring the Tigers’ defense against Wake’s high-flying offense. But Mizzou’s going to be missing some key defenders who’ve opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft or enter the transfer portal.In basketball, Missouri (10-1) is coming off a thrilling victory over Central Florida in which DeAndre Gholston banked in a 35-footer to beat the buzzer for the victory. The Illinois game is the start of three straight for the Tigers against ranked opponents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moments after Argentina’s game-winning penalty kick hit the back of the net to defeat France in the World Cup final, thoughts turned to the next World Cup, the 2026 event to be held in 16 North American cities, including Kansas City.On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell sat down with three Kansas City officials who attended the World Cup in Qatar: Kansas City Sports Commission and VisitKC president Kathy Nelson, Kansas City deputy city manager and executive director of convention and entertainment facilities of Kansas City Kimiko Gilmore, and Joe Reardon, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce president and former Kansas City, Kan., mayor.They spoke of their experiences at the World Cup and vision for the event in Kansas City, which is the smallest U.S. market serving as a host city.First, you’ll hear a conversation with Gregorian, who spoke to the enormity of the World Cup in Kansas City and how it will translate here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices