Kansas basketball’s NCAA Tournament run came to a heartbreaking end with a buzzer-beating loss to St. John’s in the second round. Now, the Jayhawks await word from Bill Self on his coaching future due to the heart issues he’s been battling since 2022.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Sam McDowell discusses what’s in store for the Jayhawks this offseason and how the program might handle a coaching search.

Also, opening day for the Royals is Friday and beat writer Jaylon Thompson breaks down the roster, where the team has improved over last year, and how Royals players’ success in the World Baseball Classic — there were many — can carry into the upcoming season.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:20 — The struggles that led to KU’s early March Madness exit

9:57 — Is this the end of the Bill Self era?

20:08 — The Royals players who shined at World Baseball Classic

33:36 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Kansas freshman sensation Darryn Peterson has had anything but a dull season. At times, he’s looked like the best player in college basketball. At others, he’s frustrated fans — and possibly his coach — by missing games for any number of ailments.

So what’s going on behind the scenes with Peterson? Has his NBA Draft stock fallen? And what’s the deal with the cramping that has persisted for almost the entirety of his freshman year?

The Star’s Shreyas Laddha dove into these topics — and more — in a feature on the KU basketball star. We discuss Peterson’s tumultuous season on SportsBeat KC, the podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:16 — Why did Peterson miss so much time this season?

6:45 — Peterson’s NBA future

8:48 — Is KU on upset watch vs. Cal Baptist?

The Chiefs have found their backup quarterback in a trade — Justin Fields — with the hope that he doesn’t have to play in games.

After all, that would mean Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury has lingered and he can’t open the season. As it is, Fields, acquired from the NY Jets, will play a critical role while Mahomes recovers.

Beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down the trade, along with other standout roster moves in free agency over the previous week and how they’ll impact the team’s approach in the NFL Draft on the latest SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR.

Also, columnist Vahe Gregorian shares his thoughts on the draws for Kansas and Missouri for the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers appeared to get a kiss from the selection committee, the Jayhawks a slap.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:02 — What Justin Fields brings to the Chiefs

8:50 — A breakdown of Chiefs’ free agency pickups

16:03 — How Mizzou got a lucky draw. KU, not so much

33:22 — What else is on Blair’s Radar?

Free agency quickly impacted the Chiefs from the opening minutes Monday. It was reported that the team had signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker, while resigning star tight end Travis Kelce.

But with major additions also came subtractions. Gone are cornerback Jaylen Watson (Rams), safety Bryan Cook (Bengals) and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew (Cardinals).

How did the Chiefs fare overall? Columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian shared their thoughts on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR.

Also, the Big 12 tournament arrives in Kansas City and Missouri heads to the SEC tournament in Nashville. What are the prospects for KU, K-State and Mizzou this week?

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:25 — Did Chiefs overpay in signing Walker?

9:25 — Travis Kelce’s return

20:20 — KU & Mizzou’s chances in the Big 12 & SEC tournaments

33:01 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Trent McDuffie’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs has come to a close. In a blockbuster trade Wednesday, the Chiefs traded McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a haul of draft picks.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian react to KC trading one of its best and most popular players.

How will the Chiefs replace McDuffie, an All-Pro slot cornerback who helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls — and how does this move impact the team’s draft approach? We discuss on this special edition of SportsBeat KC.

0:35 — Our reactions to the Chiefs’ haul of picks

4:50 — What are the Chiefs losing by letting go of McDuffie?

6:17 — The Chiefs’ secondary, as it stands

10:01 — KC’s track record of developing top cornerbacks

With the Chiefs set for the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, they got an up-close look at pro football’s top prospects at the NFL Combine.

Running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, and edge rushers Rueben Bain of Miami and Texas Tech’s David Bailey drew plenty of attention. But will any of them be available when the Chiefs pick comes around in next month’s draft?

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell and beat writer Pete Sweeney, who covered the Combine in Indianapolis, share their thoughts on the top players and what the Chiefs could be thinking with free agency starting next week.

Also, as the FIFA World Cup approaches and Kansas City braces for six games, we speak with a fan of a team playing and staying here. Bas Rol lives in Amsterdam and is a huge fan of the Dutch national team.

Rol — who used to live in Kansas City and still cheers on the Chiefs and Royals — breaks down what it’s like to be part of the Orange Army and Chiefs Kingdom.

The Super Bowl closes the NFL season and the NFL Combine opens the next one.

The stakes are high for the Chiefs at this year’s scouting event in Indianapolis. This is where the team begins to get better.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell break down what the Chiefs should look to accomplish at the Combine — and which top prospects might interest them.

Also, just as the Winter Olympics wrap up, the next big international sporting competition is on the horizon. The World Baseball Classic begins next week, and the Royals are well represented with eight players spread across five teams. KC catcher Salvador Perez, who serves as a captain for Venezuela, speaks to the national pride in the event.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:03 – What’s the point of the NFL Combine?

11:08 — The Chiefs’ priorities at the Combine

20:05 — Which Royals will be in the World Baseball Classic?

22:03 — What’s on Blair’s Radar?

When it comes to FIFA World Cup base camps, Kansas City can flex.

Three of the world’s top-seven teams — Argentina, England and Netherlands — have made it official: They’re summer camping in KC.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell explains how Kansas City created the conditions to land those teams — and what it means to have them and their fans coming to the Heartland.

Also, Kansas State reporter Kellis Robinett goes inside the coaching change at K-State. Jerome Tang is out, and the Wildcats are in the market for a new men’s basketball coach.

Complicating matters: Tang was fired with cause for postgame press conference comments, and he plans to fight the school for his $18.67 million buy out.

1:07 — Why England, Argentina and the Netherlands chose KC

9:37 — The barbecue restaurant that lured Argentina to KC

16:58 — Did K-State make the right call in firing Jerome Tang?

29:36 - What’s on Blair’s radar this week