Kansas

Initial Thoughts on West Virginia’s First-Ever Win at Kansas

Published

3 days ago

December 31, 2024

Initial Thoughts on West Virginia’s First-Ever Win at Kansas

Just minutes before tip, we learned that West Virginia would be without starters Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry against No. 7 Kansas. With those two out of the lineup, it felt like the Mountaineers would have no shot of taking down the Jayhawks. They proved a lot of folks, including myself wrong with a 62-61win.

Here are some takeaways from today’s action.

Andre has played well off the bench this year, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Hansberry typically provides more of an offensive punch, but Andre had it all going for him today. Scoring, rebounding, setting up his teammates, blocking shots – just a complete performance for the Mountaineers’ lone seven-footer.

No Tucker DeVries, no Amani Hansberry, no Jayden Stone…no problem? I mean, just what a tremendous coaching job by DeVries in his first-ever game coaching in the Big 12. To win his first game at the Phog after Bob Huggins fell short several times and went 0-11? Unreal. What’s even more impressive is the resume he’s already put together in just twelve games on the job. If this is what he can do in twelve games with a team he threw together over the summer, what is the ceiling for him in Morgantown?

It’s only one game, but when you knock off Kansas at Kansas without two starters, you have to think this team is a legitimate contender in the Big 12 Conference. Getting DeVries and Hansberry back will be the determining factor. The deeper they get into the season, the more they are going to need those guys for offensive and depth purposes. At the very least, this looks like a surefire NCAA Tournament team.

The Mountaineers will be back at it on Saturday as they play host to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. EST.

Kansas

Man and 2 children dead after fire, gunshots inside Kansas City home

Published

7 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Man and 2 children dead after fire, gunshots inside Kansas City home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Police are investigating after officers found a man and two juveniles dead inside a Northland house.

Someone called Kansas City police and asked officers to check on the people living inside a house in a neighborhood northwest of Route 152 and US 169 around 9:45 p.m. Thursday.

Officers arrived at the house and smelled smoke. They also noticed a fire burning inside the house.

They called the Kansas City Fire Department and then entered the house to search for anyone inside. They made the decision to evacuate because of the threat of the fire.

ALSO READ: 3rd fatal shooting in just over 2 months reported near Kansas City grocery store

After firefighters extinguished the flames, police reentered the home. Inside they found a man and a girl dead from gunshot injuries.

They also found a boy suffering from gunshot injuries. Emergency crews rushed him to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Detectives are working to determine what happened leading up to the shootings. They said they are not looking for a suspect, but have not provided any other details about what may have happened.

ALSO READ: $7.5K reward offered for information about fatal shooting of Missouri canines

The names of the people killed have not been publicly released.

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Kansas

Woman, baby killed in Kansas crash that closed I-35 for hours

Published

15 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Woman, baby killed in Kansas crash that closed I-35 for hours – CBS Minnesota

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A woman and child from Minneapolis are dead after a crash near Wichita, Kansas.

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Kansas

Kansas Basketball Takes a Massive Hit in ESPN BPI Rankings

Published

23 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Kansas Basketball Takes a Massive Hit in ESPN BPI Rankings

Kansas basketball suffered a tough blow on Tuesday night, falling to a depleted West Virginia team 62-61 at Allen Fieldhouse in their Big 12 opener.

The loss wasn’t just a hit to the team’s morale—it also sent the Jayhawks tumbling in ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI).

Dec 31, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Zeke Mayo (5) drives against West Virginia Mountaineers guard Javon Small (7) and guard Joseph Yesufu (1) during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Mountaineers, missing key contributors like Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry, were expected to struggle against a Jayhawks team ranked No. 7 in the nation. Instead, West Virginia pulled off a surprising upset, and Kansas never led in the game.

Kansas now finds itself with questions to answer. The offense, led by stars like Zeke Mayo, needs more consistent support from its role players. Defensively, the Jayhawks have to tighten up, particularly in critical moments, as evidenced by Flory Bidunga’s late foul that led to West Virginia’s game-winning free throw.

At 9-3 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play, the Jayhawks are far from out of contention.

However, with a projected 13.4% chance of winning the conference, the margin for error is shrinking fast. Kansas will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks as the competition in the Big 12 heats up.