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.

College basketball rankings: Where Kansas basketball ranks in coaches poll after Week 9

“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.

Former Detroit Tigers All-Star Michael Lorenzen is coming back to the American League Central, signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN on social media:

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Lorenzen, 33, was excellent down the stretch, and the deal includes a second-year mutual option for $12 million. Versatile arm, great clubhouse guy.

As Passan mentioned, Lorenzen has already been with the Royals, finishing the 2024 season with them after a trade deadline deal from the Texas Rangers.

He went 7-6 in 2024 with a 3.31 ERA but he was 2-0 with a 1.57 in 28.2 innings with the Royals as they advanced to the ALDS.

A 10-year veteran of the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Rangers and Royals, he’s 47-44 lifetime with a 3.99 ERA. The Tigers traded him at the deadline into 2023 to the Phillies, who advanced to the NLCS. Lorenzen tossed a no-hitter with Philly in that season.

There had been little connection between Lorenzen and the Royals this offseason, but we did hear that Lorenzen could be an option for teams as a two-way player. Perhaps the Royals will let him get some at-bats as well. Lorenzen had previously been linked to the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins.

It’s unknown what his role will be with the Royals. Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha and Kris Bubic figure to make up 4/5 of the rotation, so perhaps Lorenzen can slot into the five spot.

The Royals finished just ahead of the Tigers in the division a season ago. Both teams made the playoffs, with the Tigers losing to the Guardians in the ALDS.

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Tennessee now stands as the lone undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball. Unsurprisingly, the Volunteers will spend another week at No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

After handling Arkansas over the weekend, the Volunteers picked up 21 of 31 first-place votes this week to retain the top spot. Auburn once again checks in at No. 2, claiming the remaining 10 top votes. Iowa State holds at No. 3, with Duke also staying put at No. 4.

The shuffling begins at No. 5, where Alabama moves up a notch after handing new SEC member Oklahoma its first loss. Marquette jumps two places to No. 6. Kentucky climbs four spots to No. 7 after beating previously unscathed Florida in the game of the weekend on Saturday.

TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll

WEEKEND RECAP: SEC, Big Ten going different directions

The voters were kind to the Gators, who fall just three places to No. 8. Texas A&M is No. 9, and two-time defending champion Connecticut has worked its way back into the top 10.

The voters were not as kind to Kansas. The Jayhawks bounced back from a midweek loss to West Virginia by pounding Central Florida on the road but still drops five places to No. 12. Oklahoma and Oregon also slip out of the top 10, checking in at No. 16 and No. 17 respectively.

Illinois makes the biggest jump within the Top 25, gaining five positions to No. 15 after a successful trip to the Big Ten’s new Pacific Northwest enclave with defeat of Oregon and Washington.

West Virginia enters the rankings at No. 23 thanks to that victory against Kansas. No. 24 Michigan and No. 25 Utah State rejoin the poll. Cincinnati, Baylor and Maryland drop out this week.