LAWRENCE, Kan. — There have been many good causes behind taking part in a a lot more durable nonconference schedule this season. The targets have been to higher put together Indiana for the Massive Ten wars, to have some enjoyable highway journeys for gamers and followers alike, and to see the place they stood amongst a number of the greatest packages in faculty basketball.
That mission has been achieved. We have realized loads — and it isn’t all good. Not even shut, actually. However the purpose was to study, and we have finished that.
There have been 4 video games that mattered through the first six weeks of the 2022-23 season, and Indiana gained two of them, and misplaced the opposite two. They beat Xavier — a 9-3 group whose solely losses are to Indiana, No. 6 Duke and No. 8 Gonzaga — and beat them on their house court docket, a spot the place they win 86 % of their video games.
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They usually beat North Carolina, too, the preseason No. 1 group within the nation who reached the NCAA Event championship sport a 12 months in the past. The Tar Heels are 8-4 now, and beat No. 23 Ohio State in extra time in Saturday. These have been nice studying classes.
However we additionally realized loads the previous two weeks, too.
Indiana dug itself an enormous gap towards Arizona — a legit Remaining 4 group in my guide — final Saturday in Vegas, falling behind by 19 factors early. However the Hoosiers did a whole lot of good issues the remainder of the way in which, chopping the result in three at one level earlier than dropping 89-75. It was a disappointing loss, however man, we had enjoyable in Vegas, did not we? Hoosier Nation traveled properly, and a very good time was had by all. That was an enormous ”thumbs-up” to the schedule-makers.
IU trustworthy traveled properly to Lawrence, too. There have been a number of thousand followers there within the iconic Allen Fieldhouse, and so they made a whole lot of noise earlier than the sport. Kansas followers have been impressed by the turnout, some saying that they had by no means seen so many opposing followers of their constructing.
Sadly, the Hoosiers did not give their followers something to cheer about through the sport. They missed their first 5 photographs, have been in an early 12-2 gap and by no means recovered in a 22-point loss. The 84-62 beatdown was ugly, as a result of this was extra of their doing. That they had 23 turnovers and mainly gave this one away with torpid play on each ends of the ground.
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It wasn’t a very good look, and it was extraordinarily disappointing. Regardless of what’s been termed a very good week of observe throughout last exams and a very good sport plan, Indiana’s execution was terrible. And it confirmed.
The loss bordered on embarrassing.
“I simply suppose that we have got to be extra assertive. We have to be extra able to play, truthfully,” Indiana senior ahead Trayce Jackson-Davis mentioned. “Particularly in a hostile atmosphere like this towards a terrific group like Kansas, as a result of in the event that they leap on you early, that crowd’s going to hold that momentum all through the sport, and that is what they did.
“I simply suppose all in all, we have simply obtained to be extra prepared, truthfully. And that does not go on coach (Mike) Woodson, he ready us. He had a terrific sport plan going into the sport, and we did not execute.”
Jackson-Davis had a team-high 13 factors, however by way of the primary 18 minutes of the sport, he did not have any and had solely taken two photographs. Indiana’s submit feeds have been horrible — it is the place a whole lot of these turnovers got here — and when he was stationary on the block, double-teams got here instantly. He hit a number of wide-open shooters, and so they all stored lacking. Jackson-Davis solely had one help all day, which is totally not his fault in any respect. Different folks need to make photographs.
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Indiana ahead Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) shoots towards Kansas ahead Jalen Wilson (10) through the second half on Saturday. (Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The 23 turnovers have been an actual drawback, after all, as a result of, as Woodson mentioned, ”that is 23 instances you aren’t getting the chance to attain the ball. They usually got here in bunches. That is one thing we have to wash up as a result of we’re not an enormous turnover group.”
He is proper, too. Indiana was averaging solely 11.5 turnovers a sport coming in, which is completely acceptable. However 23 shouldn’t be. Not even shut.
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Much more disturbing to me was the shortage of effort and physicality on protection. Kansas just about did what it needed to all sport, scoring 18 baskets proper on the rim with layups and dunks.
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Smooth? You betcha. Unprepared? I do not go there, as a result of I am not behind closed doorways throughout observe. I take the gamers on their phrase that they have been ready properly.
However the execution was terrible. Typically I do suppose the largest challenge with Indiana is that there are a whole lot of good children on this group, and so they play a sure approach. Exterior of possibly Xavier Johnson, nobody has an actual imply streak on this group. Nobody needs to knock somebody to the ground when it’s a necessity.
So that is the lesson to be realized from this nonconference slate. The intel we have garnered the final two weeks is that when Indiana goes on the highway, they need to be able to punch somebody within the mouth — figuratively, not actually — proper from the opening tip. They need to defend exhausting and field out even more durable. They need to make photographs and discover higher methods to get Jackson-Davis extra concerned. That is loads simpler if they’re making photographs, after all.
To me, Arizona is a Remaining 4 group and their big entrance line was an issue for Indiana. I did not really feel almost as unhealthy about that loss as I did the loss at Kansas on Saturday, for 2 causes. For one, Kansas and North Carolina are mainly equals in my guide. Indiana introduced power at house and gained by 12. They introduced no power in Lawrence, and obtained their butts handed to them. Shedding by 22, that is a 34-point swing, and a whole lot of that’s primarily based strictly on effort. That is a ”look within the mirror, please” unhealthy signal.
Being life like is a tough factor to do, particularly for an Indiana fan base that desires good issues however then whines like loopy after each single loss. This Indiana group was by no means going 31-0, so the losses will occur.
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Arizona and Kansas are higher, plain and easy. The Hoosiers have been ranked No. 13 within the preseason, and that sounded about proper. Kansas has been No. 3 at one level, Arizona No. 4. And what we have realized these previous two Saturdays is that Indiana shouldn’t be at their degree.
I actually do not suppose Indiana is overrated, as a result of these rankings — which imply completely nothing — have been primarily based on potential. Indiana has performed nowhere close to its potential. Jackson-Davis does a whole lot of good issues regardless of getting mugged each sport, and Miller Kopp has had a number of good capturing nights. However who else are you able to say has actually performed properly to this point this 12 months? I can not consider anybody.
These two losses have uncovered Indiana’s weaknesses. They actually missed Jalen Hood-Schifino’s ball-handling capability through the three video games he was out, together with the losses to Rutgers and Arizona. He was again on Saturday, however then level guard Xavier Johnson obtained harm, and would possibly miss a while with a foot damage. The ball strikes properly when they’re on the ground collectively; it will get caught far too typically once they aren’t.
Being ranked the place they’re, which means they’re a 4 or 5 seed come NCAA Event time, and the purpose could be to search out your approach to the second weekend and take your probabilities. That is an affordable projection, however we’re a great distance from that proper now.
That is not what Hoosier Nation needs to listen to, after all. Indiana at its greatest may be harmful, particularly at house, however we’ve not actually seen this group at its greatest to this point. There was far an excessive amount of inconsistency up and down the roster. That should change.
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There is no want to leap off the bandwagon but as a result of the meat of the season hasn’t even began. I nonetheless suppose Indiana can contend for a Massive Ten title, as a result of Purdue is the one group within the league to look good from begin to end, and that is saying one thing for a group that wanted extra time to beat Nebraska and struggled to place away Davidson on Saturday night time.
All the remaining have some critical flaws too, very similar to Indiana. So let’s depart it at that. Classes realized from the previous two Saturdays. We have seen what Remaining 4 groups appear like, and that is not Indiana proper now.
However the NCAA Event is in March, not mid-December. There are items right here, and there are reputable weapons. You performed these video games to get higher.
So go do this. Get higher.
GAME STORY: Indiana needed to beef up its schedule to see the place it stands towards Remaining 4-caliber groups, however the Hoosiers obtained thumped for the second straight Saturday, dropping at Kansas 84-62 in an unsightly sport with 23 turnovers and a number of other defensive lapses. CLICK HERE
WHAT MIKE WOODSON SAID: Indiana obtained blown out by a top-10 group for the second weekend in a row, and Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson wasn’t pleased about it. He was particularly upset about their 23 turnovers and energy. Here is the video of his postgame press convention, and the complete transcript as properly. CLICK HERE
WHAT JACKSON-DAVIS SAID: Trayce Jackson-Davis completed with 13 factors on 4-for-8 capturing, 9 blocked photographs, six rebounds and three turnovers in Indiana’s 84-62 loss at Kansas on Saturday. Here is what Jackson-Davis mentioned after the sport. CLICK HERE
KANSAS DEFENSE ‘BEST IT’S BEEN: Kansas turned 23 Indiana turnovers into 28 factors and held the Hoosiers to 37.7 % capturing. Coach Invoice Self mentioned the Jayhawks’ protection was the most effective it has been this season, resulting in an 84-62 win over No. 14 Indiana on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. CLICK HERE
INDIANA SCHEDULE: Right here is Indiana’s full 2022-23 males’s basketball schedule, with dates, opponents, sport instances and TV data, plus hyperlinks to all of the tales from video games performed to this point. CLICK HERE
JACKSON-DAVIS MOVES UP TO NO. 8: Trayce Jackson-Davis had 13 factors towards Kansas and moved as much as No. 8 on Indiana’s all-time scoring checklist on Saturday, passing Hoosier legends Kent Benson and Damon Bailey. Here is the place he stands on the checklist of scorers. Alan Henderson up subsequent. CLICK HERE
Move over, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift — another love story is coming to Kansas City.
Hallmark and Skydance Sports are teaming up with the NFL to create an original Christmas movie titled “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” The movie will be starring Tyler Hynes, Hunter King and Ed Begley Jr, and will take place in Kansas City and be filmed entirely on location, per NFL Media.
The synopsis of the movie says it will focus on a Chiefs “Fan of the Year” contest with a romance budding between one of the entrants and the fictional Chiefs official running the contest, played by King and Hynes, respectively.
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“We are honored to partner with Hallmark on a project as unique as this,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said. “As a club, we pride ourselves on exploring new ways to grow our brand, as well as connect with new audiences. This partnership unites two passionate fanbases and gives us an opportunity to show Chiefs Kingdom’s energy and tradition on one of the most-watched channels during the holiday season.”
The relationship between the Chiefs tight end and music megastar has been a major point of interest since it went public in September 2023 and has remained highly publicized since, also uniting two passionate fanbases. Swift’s appearance at Kelce’s games last year came with spikes in viewership for both the Chiefs and the NFL as Kelce helped Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City to their second straight Super Bowl title and third in five years.
Kelce has returned the favor in the offseason as Swift continued the international leg of her “Eras Tour,” most recently making a cameo appearance in a backup dancer during a London concert last weekend.
“With Hallmark and the Kansas City Chiefs both homegrown, rooted in values, tradition and community, there is a special alchemy between these two iconic organizations,” said Hallmark chief brand officer Darren Abbott. “By blending the warmth of Hallmark storytelling with the excitement of professional football, we are thrilled to give audiences a front-row seat to this community’s spirit, rich traditions and passionate fans that define Kansas City.”
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Staffers with the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City are patrolling streets to ensure pet safety during extreme heat.
If you can keep dogs inside the house when temperatures are this high, you should. Ensure your pets stay hydrated and have access to fresh water and shade.
The Pet Resource Center of Kansas City can provide cooling items for pet owners who need them.
“We’re out patrolling the community, helping clients that we know have outdoor dogs, talking to them about what a heat stroke looks like, what heat exhaustion looks like, what they must have if they’re going to have their dogs outside,” said Rae Lindsey, outreach and mobile manager for the Pet Resource Center. “So a little bit of patrolling and helping people out in the community, but also checking on folks that we know have pets outside.”
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Lindsey said if your pet’s heart rate is high, then they could be experiencing a heat-related illness.
For cats, panting is the most obvious sign of heat exhaustion.
“You never want to cool off a pet too quickly,” Lindsey said. “Kind of like with us, if you’re getting into a heat exhaustion state, you want to cool down slowly. Dogs pant and drool, excessive drooling, lack of being able to hold themselves up, vomiting, and diarrhea are all signs of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion also can last 24 to 48 hours.”
During patrols, Pet Resource Center staffers stop by clients’ houses and drop off cooling supplies, including gates and kennels, to facilitate safe indoor environments and water bowls, cooling mats, and other accessories.
“We kept coming out here and making sure there was plenty of water and everything. ” Pet Resource Center Client Brenda Kirkwood said he didn’t eat but drank the water. “It’s complicated because there’s really nowhere for him to go, but just right here, there’s no shade. So that’s his hideaway.”
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While on pet patrols, they also educate people on heat safety and the services they offer. “If you’re going to go out on a walk with your pet, do it first thing in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is set, and it’s a little bit cooler,” Lindsey said. “And if your dog is outside make sure that you’re checking on them regularly to make sure that he’s not having any of those symptoms of heat exhaustion.”
If you have concerns about your pet’s well-being in the summer heat and need assistance, reach out to the pet resource center at outreach@prckc.org.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of the State Fire Marshal (KSFM) and Safe Kids Kansas are sharing tips to prevent fireworks injuries on July 4.
According to Safe Kids Kansas officials, in 2023, there were a total of 146 injuries caused by fireworks in Kansas. The person igniting the firework was most likely to be injured, and the hands were the most common body part to be injured. Over half of the injuries that occurred from fireworks that happened on July 4th were from burns. There was a 43 percent increase in reported injuries from 2022.
Safe Kids Kansas said with the exception of two age groups, all saw an increase. Injuries more than doubled for the 14-18 year old age group. The highest incidents of injuries were caused by mortars or artillery fireworks and other fireworks like parachutes, fountains and spinning items. This data was collected through voluntary reporting from Kansas hospitals and administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
“Sparklers are often thought to be safe for young children, but they account for roughly one-quarter of all emergency room visits related to fireworks,” said Cherie Sage, director of Safe Kids Kansas. “Children should not light fireworks, including sparklers, which burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass. We encourage parents to let their little ones use glow sticks instead of sparklers and leave the rest to grownups.”
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Safe Kids Kansas officials said grilling is another favorite part of many summertime gatherings. Make sure grills are used outdoors only, away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Keep children and pets away from the grill area and never leave your grill unattended. Clean your grill regularly to prevent grease fires.
“Enjoy a safe and happy July 4th,” said Mark Engholm, State Fire Marshal. “Always follow firework safety guidelines: keep spectators at a safe distance, never relight malfunctioning fireworks, and have a fire extinguisher or water source ready. When grilling, ensure the grill is on a flat, stable surface away from structures and flammable materials. Let’s celebrate responsibly and protect our community. If possible, go to a public fireworks display.”
Safe Kids Kansas shared tips to keep your celebrations safe on July 4:
Have adults supervise children and pets around grills and fireworks.
Designate a child-free safety zone around grills and areas where fireworks are being lit.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Adults should only handle fireworks. Consider giving children glow sticks, which also help you see little ones after dark.
Have a water supply ready, such as a bucket of water or garden hose.
Dispose of used fireworks carefully, as they may reignite.
Keep a first-aid kit available and nearby.
Ignite fireworks outdoors on a flat surface.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never stand over fireworks when lighting or holding a firework in your hand when lighting the fuse and wear eye protection.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Never attempt to make your own fireworks.
Safe Kids Kansas indicated bottle rockets are illegal and M80 type of “fireworks” are considered explosives, and it is a felony in Kansas to possess, manufacture or use, as well as being extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks and explosives is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored.
Safe Kids Kansas said always refer to the local ordinances as to whether fireworks are allowed in your area as well as what types. Some cities or counties have restricted dates/times or types of fireworks that may be sold or discharged.
Safe Kids Kansas noted in addition, out of respect for veterans when it comes to the individual discharge of fireworks, please keep in mind the noise and stress (PTSD) your activities may cause near VA facilities.
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For more information on fireworks safety, visit firemarshal.ks.gov/216/ or SafeKidsKansas.org.
