KCMB Kansas City News

Saturday, March 23, 2013

NCAA Tournament - Kansas Advances, Kansas State Upset

There is only one Kansas City area team left standing after the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Kansas Jayhawks survived a scare from Western Kentucky in the first round, advancing to face North Carolina on Sunday. Kansas State was not as fortunate, falling to 13-seeded La Salle.

(1)Kansas 64 (16)Western Kentucky 57

The Jayhawks looked flat to start the game, and struggled to score during the first half. The Jayhawks picked things up a bit in the second half, eventually building a double digit lead late. However, the Hilltoppers stormed back, capitalizing on several turnovers by the Jayhawks and knocking down some threes. KU eventually sealed the game at the free throw line.

The Jayhawks’ guard play was extremely poor all game. Naadir Tharpe turned the ball over often while taking bad shots, while Ben McLemore disappeared. Jeff Withey had a big game for Kansas, and Perry Ellis and Keving Young also added some much needed scoring. The Jayhawks’ guard play will have to improve if they want to make the Sweet 16 for the third straight year.

(13) La Salle 63 (4) Kansas State 61

The Explorers jumped all over the Wildcats early, building a 44-26 halftime lead. It looked like K-State was finished, however they had a massive comeback in the second half and eventually took a one-point lead. Kansas State had two chances to win the game at the end but the Wildcats failed to score on their last two possessions.

K-State exceeded most preseason expectations, however three losses to KU and a first-round NCAA Tournament exit have to have Wildcat fans feeling a bit disappointed.

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Missouri Loses In First Round of NCAA Tournament, Kansas And Kansas State Play Today

The 2013 NCAA tournament is officially underway, and all three local Kansas City schools found themselves in the field of 68. One team is already out however, as Missouri lost to Colorado State yesterday. Kansas and Kansas State will play today.

(8)Colorado State 84 (9)Missouri 72

Colorado State jumped out to an early lead and held Missouri at arm’s length the rest of the way. Kansas native Dorian Green scored 26 points for the Rams, who won their first NCAA tournament game since 1988. The Tigers were led by Phil Pressey’s 20 points, while Alex Oriakhi added 16 points and Jabari Brown contributed 14.

It has been a frustrating last two years for Tiger fans. After a strong regular season last year, Missouri lost as a two seed in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament in one of the biggest tournament upsets of all time. This year, the team played well below expectations. Head coach Frank Haith showed early promise, but Tiger fans have to be disappointed in the team’s consecutive first-round tournament exits and poor 2013 regular season.

(1)Kansas (16)Western Kentucky – 8:50 p.m.

NCAA tournament fans will recognize the Hilltopers, who have been a regular in the field over the past several years and have sprung a few upsets. WKU won four games in four days to win the Sun Belt tournament title and earn an automatic bid into the tournament.

A one seed has never lost to a 16 seed, and the Jayhawks should take care of business if they focus and avoid looking ahead to a possible second round matchup with Roy Williams and North Carolina. KU won the Big 12tournament with ease, and could be primed for another deep tournament run.

(4)Kansas State (13)La Salle – 2:10 p.m.

The Kansas State Wildcats have avoided being upset all season, and they hope to continue that trend this afternoon. La Salle is a dangerous team, capable of hitting threes or getting to the rim. This is a game K-State should win, but don’t be surprised if the Explorers give the Wildcats all they can handle.

If KSU advances, they will play the winner of (5)Wisconsin vs. (12) Ole Miss with a rematch against top seeded Gonzaga possibly waiting for them in the Sweet 16.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Kansas City To Receive Snow Today, This Weekend

The Kansas City metro has already been rocked by two major snowstorms this year, and it appears that the area will be receiving one final snow fall before spring. The KC metro is expected to receive up to three inches of snow today, with more snow coming this weekend.

Today’s snowfall is expected to start mid-morning and end by the late afternoon. Most snow will fall south of a line from Maryville to Sedalia, with little accumulation north and east of that area. The Kansas City area is expected to receive between one to two inches, while cities to the south such as Gardner, Paola, Pleasanton and Clinton will receive two to three inches. There is also a chance that a bit more snow and freezing rain could hit the metro this evening.

The biggest concern is this weekend, when the KC metro may receive upwards of six inches of snow. Meteorologists are expecting freezing rain mixed with snow to start falling from morning to early afternoon on Saturday, with heavier snowfall hitting Saturday night.

After some mild winters over the past couple of years, Kansas City has been hit hard with snow over the past couple of months. While this weekend’s storm won’t be as severe as the previous two, there will likely still be several accidents and closed roads. Kansas City will be hosting several NCAA tournament games this weekend, and the downtown is expected to be very crowded. The hazardous weather conditions and large crowds could make transportation around the metro very difficult this weekend. Kansas City residents heading downtown for the NCAA tournament games need to prepare for difficulty navigating around the metro.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Chiefs Sign More Players, Awarded Compensatory Draft Picks

The Kansas City Chiefs have already had an extremely busy offseason, making bold moves to upgrade its front office, coaching staff and roster. The team hasn’t slowed down yet, making more free agent signings and receiving good news regarding its compensatory draft picks.

The special teams unit has been a priority for the new coaching staff, as the Chiefs added coordinator Dave Toub and made punter Dustin Colquitt the highest paid punter in football. Kansas City decided to resign the man who has been snapping Colquitt the ball, inking Thomas Gafford to a new contract. Gafford has been with the team since 2008, snapping on punts, field goals and extra points.

The team also received good news regarding left tackle Branden Albert. Albert has told the team he plans on signing the Chiefs one-year offer worth $9.83 million. Albert was not happy about having the franchise tag placed on him, and has been vocal about both receiving a long-term deal and staying at left tackle. It is unclear if the team plans to keep Albert, given that the team has been linked to drafting an offensive lineman with its top overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. For now, Albert is in Kansas City’s immediate plans.

The team will enter the draft with two extra picks as well, earning a third and sixth round selection when the NFL announced its compensatory picks yesterday. The extra third-round pick is especially good news considering Kansas City lost a second round pick in its trade to acquire quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs now have a total of eight draft picks in the upcoming draft.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Kansas Wins Big 12 Tournament, Earns One Seed In NCAA Tournament

The Kansas Jayhawks made it clear who the best team in the Big 12 was this season, hammering Kansas State in the finals of the Big 12 tournament 70-54. KU was rewarded for its dominating Big 12 tournament with a one seed in the South region of the NCAA Tournament.

The third meeting this season between the two rivals got off to a slow start, as both teams struggled offensively in the first half. KU was able to build a 24-16 halftime lead, however K-State cut the lead to three early in the second half. The Jayhawks answered with a 12-3 run, essentially putting the game away midway through the second half.

Jeff Withey led Kansas with 17 points and 9 rebounds, and the Jayhawks continued to get strong play from freshman Perry Ellis, who chipped in 12 points. Kansas State star Rodney McGruder scored 18 points, however much of that came when KU had built its insurmountable lead in the second half.

Kansas’ dominance over Kansas State and the Big 12 has been shocking. The Jayhawks have defeated the Wildcats 47 times in the teams’ last 50 meetings, including 11 straight times in the Big 12 tournament. Kansas also improved to 9-1 in Big 12 Tournament Title games and won its sixth Big 12 Tournament title under Bill Self.

After winning the Big 12 tournament in dominating fashion, Kansas was rewarded with the second overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks will face Western Kentucky Friday night in the Sprint Center in Kansas City. If Kansas advances, it will play the winner of North Carolina and Villanova on Sunday. The Jayhawks were given a tough bracket, as Georgetown, Florida and Michigan are also in the South region.