Stories for April 2018

Tom Keegan: 11 players remain from David Beaty's first Kansas recruiting class

Signing day always makes ever-energetic Kansas football coach David Beaty percolate faster and louder than ever. Beaty loves talking about the fruits of the staff’s recruiting. So far, his best two recruits came from his first class.

'Little things' helped Ben Johnson secure rookie free agent deal with Chargers

As the final rounds of the NFL Draft played out this past Saturday in Dallas, Ben Johnson observed it all on television, from his mother’s home in Basehor, confident in his football future. By Benton Smith

KU basketball target Romeo Langford to make college choice known tonight

The time has come for Indiana prep standout and Hoosier State legend Romeo Langford to make his college decision public. Langford, the top remaining prospect in the 2018 college basketball recruiting class will announce his choice between Kansas, Indiana and Vanderbilt around 6 p.m. tonight at a ceremony at his high school in New Albany, Ind. By Matt Tait

Chris Thompson finishes eighth in Web.com tournament

Web.com Tour pro Chris Thompson, a two-time golf All-American at Kansas, survived a rough start in Sunday's final round of the United Leasing and Finance Championship played at Victoria National in Newburg, Ind. to finish eighth.

Tom Keegan: Spring slump grows deeper by day for Kansas Athletics

The weekend that just concluded pretty much summarized how things have been going of late for Kansas Athletics.

KU softball swept by Texas Tech

The Kansas softball team couldn't get its offense going in a 1-0 loss to Texas Tech on Sunday at Arrocha Ballpark.

KU baseball comes up short against Cincinnati

Brendt Citta ripped a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning, but that was all that the Kansas baseball team could muster in a 9-3 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday at Marge Schott Stadium.

Scrimmage-free spring 'very different' for KU football

In an alternative, quintessential version of this spring, the Kansas football team would have had enough healthy, functional offensive linemen to scrimmage routinely without fear of losing more blockers up front to injuries. As most observers know by now, though, few scenarios involving the ever-struggling Big 12 program play out ideally. By Benton Smith

A look at the finances of Kansas Athletics: Rising revenues, soaring costs, big bets

Forget the numbers on the Memorial Stadium scoreboard, if you can. Divert your attention from the more pleasing numbers on the Allen Fieldhouse Jumbotron for a moment. The pros on Wall Street will tell you the really important games in America are scored with dollars, not points. By that measure, there are some Wall Street executives likely envious of Kansas Athletics — indictment issues aside. From 2006 to 2017, the nonprofit corporation Kansas Athletics Inc. has seen its revenues increase by 68 percent. But looking only at revenues is like evaluating a football team by looking only at its offense.

KU basketball saves athletic department budget, allows leaders to dream of 'blue sky potential'

Despite popular opinion, KU has a good football program. It just happens to play basketball. No, you haven’t missed any gridiron victories. Rather, that’s just a way to note that KU’s nationally renowned basketball program performs financially like a good football program.

KU stars, local players mix it up in Barnstormers game

The Kansas Barnstormers game served as the best of both worlds for Kansas senior basketball player Clay Young on Saturday at Lansing High School. Young teamed up with fellow former Lansing stars Khalil Bailey and Dontae Gibson, as well as KU seniors Devonte' Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk to lead the Barnstormers to a 118-96 win against the 810 Varsity All-Stars.

Jayhawks fall short vs. Cincinnati, 7-6

The Kansas baseball team came up short in a 7-6 loss to Cincinnati in 13 innings on Saturday at Marge Schott Stadium.

KU softball falls to Texas Tech, 11-7

Annie Mehringer had a career day at the plate for the Kansas softball team, but it wasn't enough in an 11-7 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark.

Undrafted TE Ben Johnson agrees to deal with L.A. Chargers

After the seven-round NFL Draft concluded Saturday without former Kansas tight end Ben Johnson hearing his name called, the pro prospect from nearby Basehor discovered there was an organization interested in giving him a shot.

5 Jayhawks receive invites to NBA Draft Combine

1 other KU prospect an alternate

When NBA general managers, coaches and scouts descend on Chicago next month for the league’s draft combine, at least five — and possibly six — former Kansas players will be among the 70 or so prospects competing for their attention.

Chris Thompson tied for third, two strokes off lead, heading into final round of Web.com tour event

Two-time Kansas All-American and Lawrence Country Club member Chris Thompson shot a 3-over par 75 and dropped two spots into a third-place tie heading into the final round of the United Leasing and Finance Championship, a Web.com Tour event.

Tom Keegan: Former teammates, coaches celebrate launch of Dorance Armstrong's pro career

His Kansas playing days behind him, Dorance Armstrong Jr. gave his teammates one more thrill Saturday.

Corione Harris, QBs on full display at KU football's spring-concluding practice

Before cornerback Corione Harris emerged from the Kansas football locker room with his teammates for the program’s spring-concluding open practice Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the true freshman from New Orleans playfully joked with fellow Class of 2018 signee and Louisianan Anthony “Pooka” Williams. “Pooka, you can't run with me,” Harris told Williams. By Benton Smith

Jerry Jones: Dorance Armstrong Jr. has shot at becoming 'hell of a pass-rusher' in NFL

Cowboys draft KU DE in 4th round

Each of the previous two years, the NFL Draft came and went without a University of Kansas football player deemed worthy of a selection. As expected, the drought didn’t stretch to three years. Former KU defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. put an end to it Saturday, when Dallas picked him in the fourth round. By Benton Smith

KU softball falls to Texas Tech, 4-2, in extras

The Kansas softball team suffered a 4-2 loss to Texas Tech in eight innings on Friday at Arrocha Ballpark.

KU baseball drops series opener against Cincinnati, 4-3

The Kansas baseball team had the potential tying run thrown out at the plate in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to Cincinnati on Friday at Marge Schott Stadium.

Reports: AAU director linked to NCAA bribery case, KU families pleads guilty

An AAU basketball director from Massachusetts accused of working with Adidas officials to bribe family members of prospects and direct them to specific college basketball programs, including Kansas, has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with investigators.

Chris Thompson tied for second halfway through Web.com Tour event

A two-time All-American golfer at Kansas, Lawrence resident Chris Thompson entered Friday’s second round of the United Leasing and Finance Championship in Newburgh, Indiana, in 23rd place, eight strokes behind leader Maverick McNealy. Thompson finished the day tied for second with Ethan Tracy, one stroke behind McNealy.

With no spring game, Jayhawks hope to find other ways to 'put on a show' at open practice

In lieu of a traditional spring game Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the Jayhawks will close their offseason practice schedule with, well, a typical practice. Fourth-year head coach David Beaty deemed the injuries along the team’s offensive line too plentiful to go through with a scrimmage. One might theorize, though, another motive led to the decision. By Benton Smith

Cultivating 'toughness' a must for Jayhawks during spring football

Ask Kansas football coach David Beaty what his team must accomplish this spring in order to make the offseason practice schedule successful and he won’t disclose imminent changes to game plans or schemes. While those alterations won’t become uncloaked any time soon, Beaty repeatedly over the past few weeks made clear his plans to monitor players’ toughness in order to gauge progress. By Benton Smith

Self, Zenger react to college basketball recomendations with wait-and-see approach

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self and athletic director Sheahon Zenger offered little in the way of specific reactions to the recommendations into fixing college basketball dished out early Wednesday morning by The Commission on College Basketball. By Matt Tait

Tom Keegan: Commission on College Basketball report includes toothless threats designed to end one-and-done rule

Even if you’re in the camp that believes that the one-and-done college basketball system is at the root of all corruption, don’t applaud the Commission on College Basketball (CCB) for doing anything to accelerate its demise. By Tom Keegan

David Beaty: KU football 'at least 3, maybe more' years from fielding roster with 85 'true' scholarship players

David Beaty didn’t have to discuss his program’s current scholarship numbers, but the Kansas head coach had his talking points ready to fire while fielding questions during the Big 12’s spring football media teleconference this week. Asked what he thought about his team’s quarterback play during off-season practices, Beaty first said reasons for optimism at many positions exist, because the Jayhawks have a “healthy, mature, developed roster,” before getting to his pitch. By Benton Smith

Town Talk: A look at 7 scathing comments about college basketball and a report that could change Lawrence's most visible industry

The most visible industry in Lawrence just got a shot over its bow today. The report to the NCAA on college basketball is scathing in many regards.

College basketball panel calls on NCAA to ban cheats, end one-and-done

The Commission on College Basketball sharply directed the NCAA to take control of the sport, calling for sweeping reforms to separate pro and college tracks, permit players to return to school after going undrafted by the NBA and ban cheating coaches for life.

KU baseball hit hard by in-state rival Wichita State as losing skid continues

Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price was hoping for a strong performance from a multitude of pitchers in his bullpen if the Jayhawks were going to finally stop the bleeding.

Jayhawks 'very excited' about James Sosinski's potential at TE

Leading up to the start of spring practices, Kansas football coach David Beaty didn’t know exactly what to expect out of the team’s tight ends. “I was concerned,” the coach bluntly revealed. Those unsettling feelings began to dissipate for Beaty once James Sosinski returned from his foray as a KU basketball walk-on. By Benton Smith

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, R.J. Hampton among KU targets who turned heads during big recruiting weekend in Dallas

With Kansas coach Bill Self and part of his coaching staff down in the Dallas area over the weekend for what Rivals.com recruiting analyst Krysten Peek described as, “a huge opening weekend for recruiting,” several targets in the 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes put on quite a show in front of the KU coaches and dozens more. By Matt Tait

KU didn't produce written report of recent examination of athletic department; chancellor saw no need for external report

An examination of KU’s athletic department last year gave Chancellor Douglas Girod confidence that an independent review of the department isn’t needed in the wake of a widening college basketball scandal, Girod said recently. But now questions are emerging about how comprehensive that examination was as KU officials have confirmed the examination that took place last fall produced no written findings or report.

Kansas QBs' spring statistics monitored closely

Every time Kansas quarterbacks arrive at Anderson Family Football Complex for their position group meeting the day following a spring practice, they are greeted with a sheet of paper. While each displayed digit carries significance regarding a QB’s play, the figures that grab head coach David Beaty’s attention quickest deal with completion percentages. By Benton Smith

Tom Keegan: Changes coming this week in college basketball

The commission charged with cleaning up college has been at work for several months in presents its findings Wednesday to the NCAA. Before going to the trouble of rolling your eyes, let NCAA president Mark Emmert do it for you.

NBA fines both Morris twins for separate incidents

The NBA has fined Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris and twin brother Marcus Morris of the Boston Celtics for their roles in separate incidents during playoff games.

'They're blessed': Diamond Dixon, Kyle Clemons among four inducted into KU Athletics Hall of Fame

If an athlete could be inducted into a collegiate Hall of Fame twice, Diamond Dixon would have as good a shot of any: Once for her athletic achievements. Once more for what her name has meant to the program.

Notebook: Spring crucial for development of KU's supporting receivers

Two of the Kansas football team’s top three pass-catchers from 2017 won’t be around this fall to invigorate the passing game. While neither produced on the level of the Jayhawks’ returning prime target, receiver Steven Sims Jr. (59 catches, 839 yards, six TDs), the 5-foot-10 senior from Houston could use some support. By Benton Smith

Dudarev delivers record-breaking performance for KU in men's hammer throw

Kansas sophomore Gleb Dudarev put together a record-breaking performance in he men's hammer throw at the Kansas Relays on Friday at Rock Chalk Park, as he won the competition with a throw of 256 feet (78.04 meters). Dudarev’s personal-best throw broke a 35-year-old Kansas Relays record, the KU school record and Rock Chalk Park record. The throw not only etched Dudarev’s name all over the Kansas record books, but it gave him the top mark in the NCAA and fifth best in the world this year.

Daniel Wise returned to KU football for his senior season feeling he had 'more to give'

Daniel Wise considered innumerable factors this past winter while scrutinizing the benefits and drawbacks of foregoing his final college football season in order to enter the NFL Draft. “Other than personal growth and to get stronger and wiser and all that stuff,” Wise said, “I felt like something was missing. I didn’t want to go out with my college career the way it went out.” By Benton Smith

Tom Keegan: Count on Silvio De Sousa rebounding from scandal

Silvio De Sousa remains a member of the Kansas basketball program, but will he ever play another game for the Jayhawks? Probably not. By Tom Keegan

KU big man Udoka Azubuike to test NBA waters without an agent

After two seasons and 47 games as a Kansas Jayhawk, sophomore center Udoka Azubuike is at least curious to hear what NBA evaluators have to say about his game. By Matt Tait

Sharon Lokedi breaks records at KU Relays

Kansas junior standout runner Sharon Lokedi continued her record-setting season Thursday, shattering a few records in the 5,000-meter run at the Kansas Relays at Rock Chalk Park.

Kristen Hixson returns to Lawrence, defends Street Pole Vault crown

After competing in the various rounds of the third-annual Kansas Relays Street Pole Vault, the seven athletes were called back to the stage. This time, the voice doing so was not one from a Kansas Relays official, nor that of the PA announcer, whose voiced boomed over the speakers in the Salty Iguana parking lot.

Zenger doesn't like 'victim' description for KU, expresses complete confidence in Self, staff in wake of college basketball scandal

Count KU basketball coach Bill Self and athletic director Sheahon Zenger among those also not thrilled with the description of the University of Kansas as a "victim" in the widening college basketball scandal.

KU baseball shut out against Wichita State

The Kansas baseball team was shutout for the third time this season Wednesday in an 11-0 road loss to Wichita State at Eck Stadium.

Tom Keegan: Longtime scout projects driven Dorance Armstrong to go in fourth or fifth round

Every college football player fueled by NFL aspirations needs to listen to what Dan Shonka of Ourlads scouting service has to say about why he likes former Kansas defensive end Dorance Armstrong.

Jayhawks looking forward to having indoor football facility to call their own

Kansas football coach David Beaty says he’s parking a little farther away from Anderson Family Football Complex these days. Spots near the program’s home base aren’t nearly as plentiful now that lot No. 59 west of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is closed, with construction teams mobilizing this week to build KU’s new indoor practice facility. By Benton Smith

David Beaty: Injury situation at O-line made playing spring game too 'difficult'

Kansas football coach David Beaty opened his press conference Wednesday afternoon by offering the program’s fans a further explanation on the decision to replace this year’s spring game with an open practice. Beaty emphasized he would prefer the Jayhawks play a full scrimmage on April 28 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. By Benton Smith

Work begins on KU football’s indoor practice facility; project to be completed by end of year

Construction work is underway on the new $26 million indoor practice facility for the University of Kansas football team, with the project expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Tom Keegan: Downtown Shot Put was great while it lasted

The posters were printed. The field of nine professional athletes, including two 2016 Olympic medal winners and two other competitors in the Rio Games, was set.

KU signee Ochai Agbaji calls jump from unranked to Top 150 'kind of crazy'

When the updated Rivals.com recruiting rankings came out earlier this week, one future Jayhawk experienced of the biggest jumps up the rankings of any KU player in recent memory. By Matt Tait

KU women add juco teammates to 2018-19 hoops roster

Kansas women's basketball coach Brandon Schneider on Tuesday announced the addition of two junior college players, both from Brazil and both from Highland Community College, for the 2018-19 KU roster.

KU football will have open practice instead of traditional spring game

Don’t show up at the newly christened David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on April 28 expecting to see a football game. By Benton Smith

Lawrence native and former KU catcher Kent Shelley notches 1,000th career coaching win at JCCC

Lawrence native and University of Kansas graduate Kent Shelley left a baseball diamond warmed by victory for the 1,000th time in his 31-season career this past week and feeling grateful he never left JCCC. By Benton Smith

On-the-job-training: KU's Andru Tovi learning all that goes into playing C

More than a month in advance of spring football, Kansas coaches shared the bad news with their players. Starting center Mesa Ribordy had to retire. It was around that mid-February day when new KU offensive line coach A.J. Ricker sought out Andru Tovi, an eight-game starter at guard for the Jayhawks the previous fall. By Benton Smith

KU softball swept by Oklahoma

Losing 10-1 to second-ranked Oklahoma on Sunday at Marita Hynes Field, the Kansas softball team was swept for the third time in Big 12 play this season.

Tom Keegan: Najee Stevens-McKenzie back at fighting weight, battling for job

Considering how long it took Najee Stevens-McKenzie to reach Lawrence, his new address just might mean more to him than it means to most Kansas football players. By Tom Keegan

KU signee Quentin Grimes rock solid again at Nike Hoop Summit

With KU target Romeo Langford sidelined because of a minor injury he suffered at last week's Jordan Brand Classic, KU signees Quentin Grimes and David McCormack took center stage — from the Kansas perspective, anyway — at Friday's showcase game at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland. By Matt Tait

TCU blasts past KU baseball, ruins Ryan Cyr's first KU start

There was no question as to where the biggest out of the game was recorded. Even if you missed it, the mark imprinted on the padding out in center field told the story of one of the game’s biggest plays.

KU coach Price lauds 'dominant' TCU starter, closer in series-opening loss

The raindrops blurring the camera behind home plate may as well have been a ray of sunshine. The Jayhawks, facing a Major League-level left-hander, had a chance to cut into the lead.

WR Chase Harrell granted release, will transfer from KU

A difficult off-season for the receiver that included witnessing his older brother, Cole, murdered this past December, and an arrest on suspicion of DUI in March, led to Chase Harrell deciding to move on and the program granting him a release. By Benton Smith

Former prosecutor: KU not in clear yet, but one past case provides hope

Even those with courtroom experience in cases involving NCAA corruption are reserving judgment as to what the ramifications will be for the Kansas basketball program from a federal indictment released Tuesday. By Matt Tait

Chancellor sees no need for independent investigation of KU Athletics in wake of indictment

University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod said Friday that he doesn’t plan to seek an independent investigation of the Kansas athletics department in the wake of a growing college basketball scandal.

KU legend Lynette Woodard honored with yet another Hall of Fame induction

Already a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and carrying the distinction of being the first female inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame, KU great Lynette Woodard added to her list of accomplishments as a pioneer of the game on Thursday night by being inducted into the KU Women's Hall of Fame as selected by the Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity.

In need of improvement: Kansas QBs trying to make most of off-season competition

Whether it was Peyton Bender or Carter Stanley playing quarterback for Kansas this past season, more often than not passing plays failed to produce their desired results. Whatever the factors, off-season QB improvements — or perhaps naming a different starter entirely — will be essential to putting a more adequate KU offense on the field this coming fall. By Benton Smith

Chancellor mum on whether independent review of KU Athletics is needed; KU saying little about partnership with Adidas

A spokesman for Kansas Athletics Inc. stopped short Thursday of saying the department would support a third-party, public review of its recruiting practices and policies. University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod has yet to answer a question about whether he thinks an independent review would be appropriate in the wake of a federal indictment that alleges a family member and a guardian of two KU basketball players are involved in a pay-to-play scheme orchestrated by an executive with Adidas, which is a partner of the KU Athletic department.

De Sousa guardian has had long relationship with KU freshman and his family

Although the involvement of guardian Fenny Falmagne and KU forward Silvio De Sousa in a federal investigation into corruption in college basketball remains up in the air in the eyes of the law, Falmagne maintains that neither he nor De Sousa have done anything wrong. By Matt Tait

KU baseball falls to Creighton

In a game that produced a combined 25 runs and 32 hits, the Kansas baseball team couldn't keep up with Creighton in a 14-11 loss on Wednesday at TD Ameritrade Park.

Tom Keegan: Is Adidas money worth the embarrassment for Kansas Athletics?

The Kansas athletic department finds itself in an interesting pickle, having negotiated a 14-year, $191 million sponsorship and apparel agreement scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2019.

Hakeem Adeniji 'ahead of schedule' after off-season surgery; Kenyon Tabor remains sidelined

Over the course of his first two seasons at the University of Kansas, Hakeem Adeniji hasn’t missed a start yet. If the offensive lineman’s off-season recovery from a pair of shoulder surgeries is any indication that streak won’t end anytime soon. However, another potential key contributor for KU’s offense, tight end Kenyon Tabor, hasn’t yet experienced the physical upturn he hoped for this off-season. By Benton Smith

Construction of KU football's indoor practice facility to begin soon

Work on the new multimillion-dollar indoor practice facility for the University of Kansas football team will begin soon.

Tom Keegan: Adidas cloud hovers where all college basketball roads lead

Finally, the ominous, sneaker-shaped cloud that has hovered over college basketball for nearly six months settled over Lawrence in an under-the-chin way on Tuesday, and it doesn’t seem as if it’s in any hurry to move on down the road.

Bill Self responds to allegations in federal indictment regarding illegal payments

At KU's annual basketball banquet on Tuesday evening, University of Kansas coach Bill Self responded to Tuesday's news that a federal indictment alleged that the families or guardians of at least two KU basketball players were illegally paid by a shoe company executive to attend the school. By Matt Tait

Employee of apparel company illegally paid 2 KU basketball players' guardians, federal indictment alleges

The FBI is now alleging in a federal indictment that an employee of an apparel company illegally paid the family of a University of Kansas basketball player.

Notebook: Beaty says Jayhawks need to become 'toughest team' in Big 12

According to Kansas football coach David Beaty, this off-season he and his staff have and will continue to confront “a lot” of areas where the program needs to improve. Beaty described one such goal as morphing the Jayhawks into “the toughest team” in the Big 12. By Benton Smith

Tom Keegan: Kansas men, women preparing for competitive Kansas Relays field

Suspenseful college quadrangular meets that have been known to come down to the final race have softened the blow of the Kansas Relays no longer attracting big-name professional athletes to the event.

Basketball walk-on James Sosinski breaking tackles upon return to KU football

For the first four months of his football off-season, Kansas tight end James Sosinski experienced what he described as almost no football-related activities. Preoccupied from December through March with his role as a walk-on with KU basketball, Sosinski didn’t appear too rusty upon his April return to the gridiron, though. By Benton Smith

Washburn's Brett Ballard named KBCA coach of the year

First-year Washburn Ichabods basketball coach Brett Ballard, a former KU player and assistant coach under both Roy Williams and Bill Self, has been named the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association College Four-Year Men's College Coach of the Year as announced by the organization.

'He's got some dog in him': Freshman CB Corione Harris makes great first impression

Sure, the rest of the Kansas football team knew the name Corione Harris long before the four-star cornerback from Louisiana enrolled in classes and joined the program in January. But it was on the final Wednesday of March, at Harris’ first college practice, when the Jayhawks finally received a proper introduction. By Benton Smith

KU baseball salvages series with 17-3 rout over No. 5 Texas Tech

Despite the conditions, and an official 31-degree game-time temperature, KU salvaged the series behind 11 hits, 12 drawn walks and a strong outing from starter Ryan Zeferjahn.

Future Jayhawk Quentin Grimes shines, teams with Romeo Langford to lead Home team to victory at Jordan Brand Classic

Out with an injury, but still a main attraction nonetheless, Duke-bound forward Zion Williamson wasted no time explaining to ESPN2 sideline reporter Brooke Weisbrod what stood out to him this week at the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn. By Matt Tait

Tom Keegan: Talented Dom Williams hunting big sophomore season

A smorgasbord of excuses for a so so freshman season lies well within reach for running back Dom Williams should he choose to go there.

A look behind the scenes of Kansas' 2018 Final Four appearance

Beyond being the greatest stage in college basketball, the Final Four is also an incredible melting pot for fun, humanizing and quirky moments among players coaches and fans. It's also the ultimate landing spot for little stories that have built there way up to the national stage throughout the month of March.

KU softball swept by Oklahoma State

Allowing seven runs in the final two innings, the Kansas softball team couldn't hold off Oklahoma State in a 9-3 loss Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark, dropping its sixth straight Big 12 game.

KU baseball shut out, blown out by Texas Tech, 10-0

The tone of the day was set in the first inning. No, it wasn’t the score that told the story — at least at that point — but rather the opportunities the Jayhawks had already let slip away. By Scott Chasen

Grimes, Langford ready to roll at 2018 Jordan Brand Classic

Kansas basketball target Romeo Langford will be in Brooklyn on Sunday, participating in another significant event that could bring him one step closer to making a decision about where he will play his college ball next season. By Matt Tait

KU baseball pitching staff unable to slow down No. 5 Texas Tech in loss

Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price knew his team was going to have its hands full this weekend against No. 5 Texas Tech.

QB competition far from decided as Jayhawks go through spring practices

2 incumbents, 1 transfer vying for No. 1

With nearly five months left between now and the season opener, Kansas football coach David Beaty is nowhere near naming a starting quarterback. Now five practices into their spring schedule, Beaty said the Jayhawks’ offense remains in the installation stage and he doesn’t “want to put the cart before the horse” in terms of the QB competition. By Benton Smith

KU softball series finale with OSU moved

The Kansas softball team moved its series finale with Oklahoma State, scheduled for Friday afternoon, due to the threat of inclement weather.

KU Athletics, university to gain hundreds of thousands of dollars in licensing revenue from Jayhawks' Final Four appearance

The Jayhawks may not have won the national title in this month’s NCAA Tournament, but the team is still expected to generate some serious cash for making it to the Final Four.

KU's Lagerald Vick announces intention to turn pro

Two days after sophomore guard Malik Newman announced his decision to forego his remaining eligibility at Kansas for a shot at pro basketball, junior guard Lagerald Vick on Friday followed suit. By Matt Tait

KU softball drops doubleheader

The Kansas softball team only recorded one run in Thursday's doubleheader against Oklahoma State at Arrocha Ballpark and the Jayhawks were swept, 2-1, and 7-0.

Tom Keegan: David Beaty says Kansas will commit to running game

During the same session in which he avoided to the best of his ability hyperbolic compliments, David Beaty actually uttered a 17-word sentence that I found more encouraging than any words I ever have heard him speak. By Tom Keegan

Notebook: WR Chase Harrell still with KU football, but not practicing

As he navigates through a troubling offseason, Chase Harrell remains a part of the Kansas football team. However, head coach David Beaty said the junior receiver from Huffman, Texas, isn’t practicing with the Jayhawks for the time being. By Benton Smith

Jayhawks searching for new starting center during spring football

Concussions ended Ribory's career

The Kansas football program lost one of its best offensive players this offseason, when starting center Mesa Ribordy was forced to retire from the sport due to a history of concussions. Now that head coach David Beaty, new offensive line coach A.J. Ricker and offensive coordinator Doug Meacham have to find someone on the roster to replace Ribordy, they’re not leaving anything to chance. By Benton Smith

OC Doug Meacham now KU football's QBs coach, too

A year after witnessing the Kansas football team finish ninth in the Big 12 in passing and 10th in total offense, coordinator Doug Meacham will take on new responsibilities in his second season with the program, working every step of the way with the players he asks to make the proper reads and throws at the line of scrimmage. By Benton Smith

Charles Baldwin officially no longer with KU football

Former Alabama OL left program months ago

Although Charles Baldwin’s name still appears on the Kansas football roster, the offensive lineman who spent one spring semester at Alabama two years ago actually hasn’t been with the Jayhawks in months. By Benton Smith

Tom Keegan: Kansas offense can't crackle and pop until it snaps

Before the coaches decide who takes the snap, they must find someone who can make the snap. By Tom Keegan

‘A different dimension’: New Kansas QB Miles Kendrick hopes to have impactful spring

His freshman regular season already in his rear-view mirror this past fall at College of San Mateo, Miles Kendrick hadn’t ruled out finding a four-year football program to call his new home before his sophomore year. But time was running out. Weeks removed from thinking another semester, perhaps even a full sophomore season, at San Mateo awaited him, Kendrick signed with KU in January and moved to Lawrence to get to work. By Benton Smith

Kansas guard Malik Newman to enter NBA Draft

Sophomore plans to sign with an agent, marking the end of his KU career

After a stellar run through the postseason, Kansas sophomore Malik Newman is headed to the NBA Draft and will be forgoing his remaining eligibility at KU. By Matt Tait

Former starting C Mesa Ribordy among players no longer with KU football

The Kansas football program made its 2018 roster public for the first time Wednesday. While the register of names, heights, weights and more unveiled what jersey numbers the Jayhawks will wear for spring practices and fall games this year, it also revealed the absence of one critical member of the 2017 team and a handful of others who had eligibility remaining.By Benton Smith

Tom Keegan: NCAA tournament a memorable one in 2018

A look at eight gigantic non-KU stories from the tournament, in chronological order.

Tom Keegan: Next season's Kansas basketball roster deeper, more balanced, greener

Next season, Kansas will be bigger, far deeper and way less experienced than Bill Self's third Final Four squad. By Tom Keegan

Tom Keegan: Graham will be missed even more than he misses it

San Antonio — Kansas guard Devonte’ Graham could have gone on so long as to miss the team flight home when asked after a national-semifinal loss to Villanova what he’ll miss about playing basketball for Kansas.

Self tells Jayhawks to keep heads high after disappointing, season-ending Final Four loss

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, up close and in person, saw all he needed to see during Saturday's 95-79 Final Four loss to Villanova at The Alamodome to know what went wrong, why the Jayhawks could not set it right and how a slight lack of energy early and an amazing performance from the Jayhawks' opponent ended KU's season. By Matt Tait

Notebook: Azubuike's mom attends first game; KU players undecided on NBA futures

Escorted by her son's host family, with whom he lived in Jacksonville, Fla., after leaving Nigeria at age 13, Florence Azuonuwu, the mother of Kansas center Udoka Azubuike, walked over to Scott “Scooter” Ward about 15 minutes before tipoff of Saturday's Final Four clash with Villanova and planted a big hug on him.

Disappointed fans in downtown Lawrence: KU simply got 'outplayed' but 'we'll be back' next year

As the last seconds ticked down in Saturday night’s Final Four game, a lot of University of Kansas fans at Jefferson’s in downtown Lawrence were barely paying attention. They’d been checked out for a while.

Tom Keegan: Final Four loss doesn't take away from Jayhawks' accomplishments

The better team doesn’t always win. If it did, college basketball would be dreadfully dull and not worth watching, instead of a billion-dollar industry that draws 68,257 spectators to the Alamodome for a Saturday night game on the final day of March. By Tom Keegan

Villanova's defense of 3-point line just as crucial as its shots from behind it in Final Four win

As Villanova guards, wings and bigs buried 3-pointer after 3-pointer Saturday night at the Alamodome, Kansas guards, typically the beneficiaries of such shots, went through periods of struggling to even find an attempt. While the Wildcats assailed the Jayhawks with long-range jumpers, what head coach Jay Wright’s team accomplished in defending any such counterattacks proved just as crucial in a 95-79 victory that sent Villanova to the national championship game. By Benton Smith

Final Stop: Jayhawks crushed by 3-pointers in Final Four loss to Villanova

A Kansas basketball season that featured the Jayhawks playing with fire and experiencing growing pains throughout came to an end on Saturday night at the Alamodome in front of 68,257 spectators and under a barrage of Villanova 3-pointers. By Matt Tait

News

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1 other KU prospect an alternate

Cowboys draft KU DE in 4th round

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2 incumbents, 1 transfer vying for No. 1

Thursday, April 5

Concussions ended Ribory's career

Former Alabama OL left program months ago

Wednesday, April 4

Sophomore plans to sign with an agent, marking the end of his KU career

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