Kansas

Midwest Regional Preview: Final Four berth in play in Kansas City

Published

3 years ago

March 22, 2023

Midwest Regional Preview: Final Four berth in play in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was a tricky weekend for Kansas and Missouri followers as each groups had been unable to advance to the second weekend of March Insanity, however Kansas State survived and can head to New York Metropolis for an opportunity to earn a Remaining 4 berth within the East Area beginning Thursday.

Nevertheless, this weekend in Kansas Metropolis, 4 groups could have the chance to clinch a Remaining 4 berth as the town hosts the NCAA Regional for the Midwest Area.

Right here’s a have a look at every of the 4 groups which might be vying for an opportunity to characterize the Midwest Area within the Remaining 4 in Houston subsequent Saturday.

Houston Cougars:

Final Candy 16 look: 2022

Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson

Most well-known alum: Lil Wayne

Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Auburn ahead Johni Broome, left, has a layup blocked by Houston ahead Jarace Walker (25) within the second half of a second-round school basketball sport within the NCAA Event in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photograph/Rogelio V. Solis)

For the third straight yr in a row, the Cougars are again within the Candy 16 and want to attain the Remaining 4, which can be performed of their dwelling metropolis. Houston might develop into the sixth faculty to play a Remaining 4 of their dwelling metropolis. Butler was the final faculty to have an at-home benefit in Indianapolis in 2010.

It hasn’t been easy crusing for head coach Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars as two key starters, Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead, are at present injured.

Whereas Houston is the No. 1 seed within the Midwest area, the workforce has had some troubling first halves to date this match. Though, the Cougars recovered within the second halves of each video games, together with a 50-point second half in opposition to Auburn regardless of the very fact each Sasser and Shead had been in foul bother.

Whereas the Cougars should not extraordinarily tall, with middle Jarace Walker as their tallest starter at 6 foot 8 inches, the workforce is without doubt one of the greatest rebounding and defensive groups within the nation, rating eleventh in rebounds and second in factors allowed.

Houston is the one workforce within the high 10 in each offense and protection, in line with KenPom.

The Cougars will play the Miami Hurricanes, who’ve the most effective subject objective percentages within the nation. The Hurricanes 48.1% subject objective share ranks tied for seventeenth out of 363 colleges.

Texas Longhorns:

Final Candy 16 look: 2008

Interim Head Coach: Rodney Terry

Most well-known alum: Matthew McConaughey

NCAA Penn St Texas Basketball — Texas interim head coach Rodney Terry directs his workforce within the first half of a second-round school basketball sport in opposition to Penn State within the NCAA Event, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photograph/Charlie Neibergall)

Two months after this system terminated former head coach Chris Beard’s contract after he was charged for home violence, Rodney Terry is preserving this system afloat.

The workforce is 21-7 since Terry took over because the interim head coach, with Terry main the Longhorns to their second Large 12 Event Championship ever.

Nearly two weeks after blowing out the Kansas Jayhawks to win the Large 12 Event on the T-Cellular Heart, the Longhorns return to Kansas Metropolis with an opportunity to go to a Remaining 4 for the primary time since 2003.

The Longhorns have one of the vital skilled rosters within the nation, rating sixth in expertise in line with KenPom. They’ve a strong beginning lineup, with 4 gamers averaging 10 or extra factors per sport and taking pictures over 32% behind the 3-point line.

The Longhorns even have a strong bench, led by Lee’s Summit West Excessive College alumnus Christian Bishop.

The Longhorns breezed previous their opening spherical matchup in opposition to Colgate. Nevertheless, they earned a visit again to Kansas Metropolis by narrowly defeating Penn State, who blew out Longhorn rival Texas A&M of their opening spherical sport, with a five-point lead at 71-66.

Xavier Musketeers:

Final Candy 16 look: 2017

Head Coach: Sean Miller

Most well-known alum: Tyrone Hill

APTOPIX NCAA Pitt Xavier Basketball — Xavier ahead Jack Nunge blocks a shot by Pittsburgh guard Greg Elliott throughout the first half of a second-round school basketball sport within the NCAA Event on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photograph/Chris Carlson)

The Musketeers look to go to a Remaining 4 for the primary time in this system’s historical past, they usually hope a well-known face will lead them there as Sean Miller is again teaching the Musketeers.

Miller beforehand coached Xavier from 2004-2009 and lead the workforce to an Elite 8 in 2004 and 2008 and a Candy Sixteen in 2009.

In Miller’s first yr again with this system, Xavier is again within the Candy Sixteen for the primary time since 2017, regardless of dropping key starter Zach Freemantle for the yr in February.

Xavier has the most effective offenses within the nation, rating eleventh in factors per sport (PPG), tied for sixth in subject objective share and fifth in 3-point subject objective share.

Regardless of the lack of Freemantle, the Musketeers nonetheless characteristic offensive expertise, with 4 different starters averaging over 10 PPG, led by guard Souley Boum on the perimeter and ahead Jack Nunge within the inside.

Xavier has skilled highs and lows within the match.

The Musketeers needed to comeback from a 13-point deficit in its opening spherical sport in opposition to 13-seed Kennesaw State.

Nevertheless, they had been capable of management the vast majority of the sport in opposition to their Spherical of 32 opponent Pittsburgh, with the workforce main by as a lot as 20 factors at one level. The Xavier Musketeers completed the sport 11 factors forward, defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers 84-73.

Miami Hurricanes:

Final Candy 16 look: 2022

Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga

Most well-known alum: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Nijel Pack, Indiana — Miami guard Nijel Pack (24) scores in opposition to Indiana throughout the first half of a second-round school basketball sport within the NCAA Event Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photograph/Hans Pennink)

A yr after reaching an Elite Eight for the primary time in its program historical past, Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larrañaga has led the workforce again to the Candy 16.

The Hurricanes barely squeezed by the Drake Bulldogs in its opening match sport with a last rating of 63-56, however blew out the Indiana Hoosiers 85-69 within the Spherical of 32.

Like Xavier, the Hurricanes are the most effective offensive groups within the nation, with the Hurricanes 48.1% subject objective share tied for seventeenth out of 363 colleges, and an offensive ranking ranked eighth within the nation

The Hurricanes know rating, with this system’s 79.1 PPG tied for twenty fourth within the nation, led by fourth yr junior guard Isaiah Wong, who averages 16.1 PPG.

The Hurricanes’ beginning lineup has 4 gamers who common a minimum of 13 PPG, which incorporates Wong and former Kansas State guard Nijel Pack.

Pack performed his first two years with Kansas State. He transferred from the Wildcats after this system fired coach Bruce Weber. Pack led Ok-State in scoring in his two years with this system.

Nevertheless, the Hurricanes’ offense can be examined in opposition to the most effective defenses within the nation within the Houston Cougars.

The Cougars hardly ever permit groups to attain greater than 70 factors in opposition to them, with the workforce permitting greater than 70 factors solely 5 occasions this season.

The Midwest Regionals in Kansas Metropolis start on Friday, with Houston vs. Miami set to tip off at 6:15 p.m. Texas will play Xavier half-hour after the Houston vs. Miami sport ends.

The Midwest Regional Remaining can be performed on Sunday. The time of the sport is to be decided.

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Related Topics:Christian Bishop Coogs Elite 8 Elite Eight Featured Horns Up houston cougars Isaiah Wong Jack Nunge Jamal Shead Jarace Walker

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Kansas

Trial challenging several Kansas abortion laws starts on Friday

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2025

Press Room

Trial challenging several Kansas abortion laws starts on Friday

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A trial starting on Friday in Johnson County could determine what doctors must do before providing an abortion in Kansas.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood, challenges four abortion-related laws passed by state lawmakers. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is defending the laws.

One law requires doctors to warn patients that abortions may increase the risk of premature birth or breast cancer. A judge has already paused that provision, ruling the claims are not backed by credible medical evidence.

The lawsuit also challenges requirements for abortion paperwork, including strict rules about fonts, font sizes, and even paper color. Another law mandates a 30-minute waiting period after patients meet with a provider, which opponents argue is medically unnecessary.

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Doctors are also required to tell patients at least five times that a medication abortion can be reversed, something the groups call misleading.

Alice Wang, an attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, says the laws interfere with Kansas voters, who want abortion care rights.

“The government has no business inserting itself into what should be the privacy of the doctor’s office and the patient’s provider relationship,” said Wang. “It’s no one’s business what you do with your body other than your own.”

12 News did reach out to the Attorney General’s Office, but did not receive a response.

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Kansas

Eagles push their way to a 20-17 win in Kansas City

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2025

Press Room

Eagles push their way to a 20-17 win in Kansas City

Sunday’s game in Kansas City didn’t bear much resemblance to Super Bowl LIX on the scoreboard, but the result was the same as it was in New Orleans in February.

The Eagles converted a first down on a tush push on the first play after the two minute warning and the clock ran out on their 20-17 win from there. When taken with the Super Bowl and the first game of this season, it marks the first time that the Chiefs have lost three straight games with Patrick Mahomes as their starting quarterback.

It was one of many notable tush pushes during the game. The Eagles upped their lead to 20-10 in the fourth quarter when Jalen Hurts scored one play after being stopped short by the Chiefs defense. Replays showed that the Eagles had a false start on the play, but officials didn’t flag it and they didn’t flag another one with another apparent infraction on the next Eagles drive. The Chiefs also argued that they stripped Hurts of the ball on the final tush push, but officials ruled he was down with possession of the ball.

In addition to the false starts, it looked like Eagles lined up in the neutral zone on some of the sneaks and the importance of those plays could lead to further fuel for those who want to take the play out of the game.

The Chiefs were able to get back within a field goal on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, but the Chiefs will rue the turn of events that led to Hurts’ touchdown run. Mahomes hit tight end Travis Kelce in the hands with a pass just outside the end zone, but Kelce couldn’t catch it and Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba picked the ball off.

If Kelce held on, the Chiefs might have found a way to pull out the win but that result wouldn’t have been able to fully obscure the offensive difficulties that they’ve had through the first two weeks of the season. Mahomes had 70 of his 187 passing yards on the team’s final possession and his regular season career-high 69 rushing yards were more than the rest of the team combined. They’ll be in New Jersey to face the Giants next Sunday night and if they can’t get well there, it will be time to worry about the unit’s capabilities this season.

The Eagles offense wasn’t much better and the Chiefs ended up outgaining them for the afternoon. Hurts was 15-of-22 for 101 yards and Saquon Barkley ran 22 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, but a 28-yard catch for DeVonta Smith was the only explosive play for the team’s wide receivers after an even quieter Week 1 against the Cowboys.

While road wins and stout defenses have a way of obscuring flaws, history says that there will be some hand-wringing about the Eagles offense if it can’t get in gear soon. The next chance will come against the 2-0 Rams in Philly next Sunday.

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Kansas

Grading Arizona football’s performance in win over Kansas State

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2025

Press Room

Grading Arizona football’s performance in win over Kansas State

For the first time since 2015, Arizona has started off the season 3-0. After the 23-17 win over Kansas State, they have shown that this is a team to not take lightly.

The bye week comes at a perfect time, it gives the Wildcats a chance to rest and plenty of time to prepare for a very tough Iowa State team.
Here are the grades for the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching:

On the first drive, Arizona was able to get inside Kansas State territory but settled for a field goal. To start the second drive, Ismail Mahdi ripped off a 60 yard run.

A couple plays later, Noah Fifita ran it into the endzone to start the scoring for Arizona.

Luke Wysong would have a 27 yard catch and run on the third drive of the game, putting the offense into the redzone. The drive would stall out after that, forcing another field goal attempt.

On a solid march down the field, Fifita would find the endzone on the ground for the second time from one yard out.

In the first half, the offense would finish with 257 total yards. The second half would start off with a three and out.

After a 34-yard run by Mahdi, Javin Whatley would throw an interception on a trick play to end the drive quickly.

After Mahdi continued his strong night with a 15 yard run, more holding penalties would kill the drive, and the offense settled for another field goal.

Starting the fourth quarter, the offense would not do anything and punted.

On third and 15, Mahdi would take a dump down pass from Fifita and turn it into a 27 yard gain. Even with the conversion, the drive would stall and yet again it would settle for a field goal.

The bright side to that drive was that it took seven minutes and 30 seconds off the game clock.

With 412 total yards on the night, the offense definitely showed that it can move down the field in different ways. Now it needs to improve on finishing those drives in the end zone.

Arizona’s defense started off hot, forcing a three and out. However, after a special teams blunder, it was right back onto the field for Danny Gonzales’ crew.

It ended up holding Kansas State to a field goal after Treydan Stukes and Deshawn McKnight got to Avery Johnson for a third down sack.

Despite Kansas State getting into Arizona territory, the defense would force a fourth down attempt and would end up getting the stop.

On the fourth Kansas State drive of the game, the defense would force its second three and out of the game.

Continuing the first half dominance, the defense would force another punt by Kansas State. In the first half, the defense would only allow 44 total yards of offense.

The second half would not be the most ideal start for the defense. Kansas State would score on the first play, and it would be the first touchdown Arizona’s defense had let up on the season.

Off another special teams blunder, Arizona would have to defend a short field. Kansas State would score and tie the game.

Just when it would seem that Kansas State could take control of the game, Arizona’s defense came up with a three and out to stop the bleeding that started quickly in the second half.

Late in the third quarter, when Kansas State went for it on fourth down at the Arizona 40 yard line, Jay’vion Cole came up with a huge pass breakup to force the turnover on downs.

Forcing Kansas State to punt for the fourth time, the fourth quarter would start off strong for the defense. Then, for the third time, Gonzales’ crew would stop Kansas State on fourth down to seal the victory.

Overall, the defense held Kansas State to 193 total yards of offense. They had a near perfect game, outside of the long touchdown run. The other touchdown was set up by a mistake on special teams.

Genesis Smith led the team in tackles for the game with eight and also had three crucial pass breakups.

After marching down the field on the opening drive, the offense could not find the endzone, which brought out Michael Salgado-Medina. He would miss from 47 yards out.

When the defense forced a three and out, Kansas State would end up punting. Unfortunately, Jeremiah Patterson would get bumped by a Kansas State and in doing so it would touch Patterson.

This resulted in what would be called a fumble and Kansas State would recover.

In the second quarter, Salgado-Medina would be called upon again and redeemed himself from 31 yards out.

Right before halftime, Arizona would end up punting but Kansas State would muff the punt and Dalton Johnson would recover for UA.

On his third field goal attempt of the night, Salgado-Medina would miss from 62 yards out to end the first half.

The night for Salgado-Medina started to get worse as the first punt of the second half would be dropped and blocked, setting Kansas State up at the UA 13 yard line.

Late in the third, Salgado-Medina would hit from 31 yards again. He would also hit again from 41 yards late in the fourth quarter.

With an opportunity to put the game away, Salgado-Medina was called on for the sixth time of the night. His 46 yard attempt would be no good, and he finished the night going three for six on field goal attempts.

Safe to say that the special teams unit will need to improve in a lot of ways.

Brent Brennan could not have thought of a better start to this season. His players have bought into what he’s doing and it is showing on the field.

The ability to respond when things don’t go as planned is a big point of emphasis and it showed against Kansas State.

“We responded in all three phases there, and that’s what good teams do,” said Brennan.

There is now a belief and confidence in what they are trying to execute. It shows when Brennan sticks with a guy like Salgado-Medina, despite having a rough night. His trust in his player never wavered.

Gonzales has shown that this defense can be similar to the “Desert Swarm” of the retro days. Add this along with Seth Doege’s exciting and balanced offensive scheme, and this is now a team that can go toe to toe with any Big 12 opponent.

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