Kansas
Inside why Shakeel Moore entered Kansas basketball’s starting lineup for UCF matchup
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self reacts to Jayhawks’ win at UCF
Check out everything Kansas basketball coach Bill Self had to say recently after a win on the road against UCF during Big 12 Conference play.
Over the course of the season, Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has gone with some different starting lineups.
Of course, graduate center Hunter Dickinson, senior forward KJ Adams, and graduate guard Dajuan Harris Jr. have all been among the team’s five regular starters. But the combination with them hasn’t always been consistent. Ahead of this past Sunday’s game at UCF, four different guards had started with those three veteran Jayhawks at one point or another.
It might not come as much of a surprise then that, as Self has continued to work through what Kansas’ rotation will look like, for the UCF game graduate Shakeel Moore became the fifth guard to start with that veteran trio for Kansas at some point this season. That’s even as Moore has been limited at times this season due to injury.
In what became a 99-48 win for the now-No. 12 Jayhawks (10-3, 1-1 in Big 12 Conference), Moore played a season-high in minutes and collected six points, six assists, and three rebounds along the way.
“He really came in with a passion defensively,” Dickinson told reporters postgame about Moore. “I think that’s where he’s going to help us the best, is being a dog defender, being somebody who can pick up 94 feet and really change the game defensively, and really help (Harris) out.
Because (Harris) is a great defender, but having another guy out there with him — and then, he’s just a basketball player. He’s super athletic. Coming off ball screens and stuff like that adds a bit of athleticism that can always help with us offensively as well.”
Self, who acknowledged postgame he’d been struggling with which players to start, indicated Moore’s part in the starting lineup had to do with which opponent Moore could match up against. That, as Dickinson discussed, would help out Harris. So, one could wonder how much Kansas’ starting lineup could vary game-to-game as Self and company look to take advantage of the right matchups moving forward.
Self also talked about wanting guys who play hard and create havoc, because while someone might not always hit their shots if they don’t let the opponent score then they aren’t going to lose. Moore is someone who Self thinks gives the team a chance to have that mentality. Moore’s defensive prowess was talked about before he ever took the court for the Jayhawks this season, after transferring in from Mississippi State.
So far this season, Moore is averaging 2.5 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game — while averaging 8.1 minutes per appearance. While those numbers don’t pop off of a stat sheet, remember he’s played in just six games to date as he’s recovered from injury and just had his first start. Whether he continues to start or returns to having a role off of the bench, it’s not as if he approaches either with a different mindset.
“I actually don’t see a difference,” said Moore, who looks to bring energy regardless. “I’ve kind of been around the block, this is my fifth year, so I’ve just — I kind of know what to expect coming into the game or starting.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – It may not seem like a lot of relief, but gas and diesel prices have declined over the past week.
Friday morning’s national average for a gallon of unleaded gas was $4.39, according to the Automobile Association of America.
That’s down three cents from $4.42 on Thursday; down 16 cents from a week ago; but was up 17 cents from $4.22 a month ago and up $.23 from $3.16 a year ago.
In Kansas, AAA says, unleaded gas on Friday was averaging $3.96 a gallon — down four cents from $4.00 on Thursday; down 13 cents from $3.96 a week ago; but up 26 cents from $3.70 a month ago; and up $1.07 over $2.89 a year ago.
Diesel fuel also was dropping in price. AAA says Friday’s national average for a gallon of diesel was $5.52 a gallon — down three cents from $5.55 on Thursday; down 12 cents from $5.64 a week a go; but up six cents from $5.46 a month ago and up $1.98 from $3.54 a year ago.
Kansas diesel fuel prices, according to AAA, checked in at an average of $4.98 on Friday. That’s five cents below $5.03 on Thursday; down 16 cents from $5.14 a week ago; but up 24 cents over $4.74 a month ago; and up $1.72 from $3.26 a year ago.
In Topeka, GasBuddy.com on Friday morning showed unleaded gas prices ranging between $3.77 and $4.09 in Topeka, with diesel fuel going for between $4.94 and $5.29 a gallon.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Sunflower soak: Rain welcomes Arkansas baseball to Kansas, might stay awhile | Whole Hog Sports
Kansas
NFL Trade Rumors: Kansas City Chiefs linked to $15M New York Giants pass rusher and $10M Chicago Bears tight end in bold ESPN proposals
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to be linked to potential trade targets despite entering the 2026 season with one of the NFL’s deepest rosters. Recent speculation from ESPN connected Kansas City to New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. In the proposed scenarios, the Chiefs would send a 2027 fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux or a 2027 third-round pick while receiving Kmet and a fifth-round selection. While neither proposal gained traction with the opposing teams, the rumors have sparked debate about whether Kansas City should make a significant move before the season.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Kayvon Thibodeaux / Cole Kmet |
| Current Team | New York Giants / Chicago Bears |
| Rumored Team | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Contract Status | Both under contract |
| Salary Cap Hit | Thibodeaux: manageable rookie extension window; Kmet carries a significant future cap number |
| Trade Likelihood | Low to moderate |
| Latest Insider Update | ESPN floated hypothetical trade proposals |
| Potential Return | 2027 fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux; 2027 third-round pick for Kmet |
Which teams are interested in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Cole Kmet?
Kansas City emerged as the most notable team connected to both players through the ESPN exercise. The fit is understandable. For Thibodeaux, the Chiefs could add another proven pass-rushing threat alongside their current edge group. Defensive line depth remains one of the most valuable assets in today’s NFL, especially for teams with championship aspirations. Adding a player of Thibodeaux’s caliber would strengthen the rotation and provide insurance against injuries. Kmet addresses a different need. While Travis Kelce remains a central piece of the offense, he is approaching the later stages of his career. Kmet offers a combination of blocking ability and receiving production that could help Kansas City maintain stability at tight end while preparing for the future.
What insiders are saying about the trade rumors
According to AtoZ Sports’ Charles Goldman, the concept behind pursuing Thibodeaux makes sense, but the compensation falls short. New York has little incentive to move a talented edge rusher for a mid-round draft pick when pass rushers are among the league’s most sought-after players. Goldman was similarly cautious regarding Kmet. Although he acknowledged the tight end would fill a practical role in Kansas City’s offense, he questioned whether investing draft capital and future money in Kmet is the best long-term strategy. Instead, he suggested the Chiefs may be better served developing a successor to Kelce through the draft.
Contract details and salary cap implications
Any trade discussion involving Kansas City begins with the salary cap. The Chiefs would likely need to create additional financial flexibility before taking on a notable contract. Thibodeaux presents the cleaner situation. He remains young, productive, and could be controlled through future contract negotiations. There are no reported no-trade restrictions complicating a potential move. Kmet’s situation is more challenging. His future cap numbers could require restructuring or a new agreement if Kansas City wanted to keep him long term. That added financial commitment makes the decision more complicated than the draft-pick cost alone.
How the trade could impact both teams
For Kansas City, acquiring Thibodeaux would strengthen a defense already built to compete for another Super Bowl. A deeper pass rush often becomes critical during playoff runs, where one extra pressure can change a game. Kmet’s arrival would have a different effect. He could ease the workload on Kelce while giving the offense a more balanced tight end room. At the same time, surrendering valuable draft assets could limit future roster-building options. From the Giants’ and Bears’ perspectives, keeping proven starters may provide more value than collecting future picks. That reality is why both proposed deals remain long shots, even if the Chiefs continue to surface in trade conversations.
-
Entertainment35 seconds agoThis Puerto Rican filmmaker honored his family with an unconventional movie called ‘TheyDream’
-
Lifestyle7 minutes agoL.A. Affairs: I went on 53 first dates in one summer. Here’s a look at my spreadsheet
-
Politics13 minutes agoTrump holds Situation Room meeting to decide on Iran deal
-
Science19 minutes agoOxnard man smuggled baby crocodiles, among 1,700 reptiles, gets 5 years
-
Sports25 minutes agoA new board game mocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for ‘foul baiting.’ He wants it destroyed
-
World37 minutes agoIsrael, Russia among new additions on UN sexual violence ‘blacklist’
-
News1 hour agoWhich first lady feared her husband might be having a stroke? The quiz knows
-
Los Angeles, Ca3 hours agoRescued sea lion pups released in Manhattan Beach
