clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Kansas Jayhawks News and Notes 06.24.14

A look-see around today's internets.

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Definitely the doldrums for Kansas sports right now.

- Kansas Sports -

How the upcoming track removal at Memorial Stadium could make fans feel closer to the action on Saturdays | Tale of the Tait | KUsports.com

KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger told me (Matt Tait) last week that he's still got the lowering the field option on his radar. But while architects are working up preliminary plans for a major renovation at Memorial Stadium down the road — so KU can be ready to strike when the money and momentum (perhaps in the opposite order) are in hand — nothing about the bigger project is set in stone at this point.

Top basketball recruit Thon Maker takes visit to Kansas, heads to Missouri | The Kansas City Star

Thon Maker, a 7-foot forward in the class of 2016, took an unofficial visit to Kansas on Monday, Rivals.com reported. Maker, who attends the Martinsville (Va.) Carlisle School, is expected to drop in at Missouri on Tuesday.

- College Sports -

2014 College World Series -- Vanderbilt Commodores hold off Virginia Cavaliers in Game 1 of finals - ESPN

The Commodores (50-20) can win their first national championship in a men's sport with a victory Tuesday night.

Early hopes Shocker preparation viewed as plus by NBA teams | Wichita Eagle

Early, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, is on track to become the first WSU basketball player drafted since 1987, when the Los Angeles Clippers took Henry Carr in the seventh round. Many projections have Early going late in the first round, a status last bestowed on a Shocker in 1985, when Seattle grabbed Xavier McDaniel with the fourth pick.

Robbie Rhodes of Baylor Bears dismissed from program - ESPN

Rhodes, the No. 3 rated receiver recruit in the country out of Fort Worth Southwest, was expected to play a significant role in the nation's No. 1 scoring offense.

Southern California bucks trend, will now offer four-year scholarships - CBSSports.com

The school announced Monday that revenue-producing sports -- football, men's and women's basketball -- will start offering four-year scholarships for its players. The way the system works now: players are on one-year scholarships that are renewed or, in sometimes, not. In the interest of more fairness for student-athletes, the NCAA changed a bylaw in 2011 to allow for multi-year scholarships.

Lester Munson: NCAA setup baffles Ed O'Bannon antitrust trial judge - ESPN

It was not the first time the basics of college sports have thrown the judge. She tried to sort out conference realignment during the trial's first week and abandoned the query when it quickly became mired in detail. And she was incredulous when she learned that committees, not the NCAA or the conferences, were in charge of bowl games. On other occasions, Wilken has asked penetrating questions that cut through the legalese and the obscurities of an antitrust trial and hit the heart of the key issues.

- Professional Sports -

Royals can handle Cy Young winners like Zack Greinke, but can they deliver a playoff run for desperate fans? - Yahoo Sports

He owns the worst quality possible for someone in an untenable situation: honesty. And even though his sentiment echoed that of every person who has spent almost 30 years waiting for the Kansas City Royals to play in a postseason game – tired of waiting – their truth is different than his.

MLB announces new format for Home Run Derby - CBSSports.com

The 2014 Derby will move away from the old structure in a big way. Here's how things will work on July 14 at Target Field.

New fall developmental league wants to springboard players to NFL - CBSSports.com

It will feature six teams, a 40-man roster for each, six games per season, and $1,000 per week for each player. But most importantly, the league wants to serve as a stepping stone for those who feel they belong in the NFL. According to the Associated Press, it won't have any NFL affiliation.

Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry says team won't draft Joel Embiid - CBSSports.com

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry spoke at a press club and rotary club event on Monday morning, and discussed his team's draft plans, which no longer include Joel Embiid.

LeBron James will opt out of contract with Miami Heat - ESPN

LeBron James' agent, Richie Paul, has informed the Miami Heat that James will exercise his early termination option and become an unrestricted free agent.

Ghana Soccer Official Involved In Match-Fixing Sting

The president of Ghana's soccer association was caught on camera negotiating a contract that would have Ghana playing in fixed international matches. The Telegraph and Dispatches conducted a six-month undercover investigation into Ghana's soccer association and found that they were set to pay a company to set up matches and use dirty officials to fix them.

- World Cup -

Germany-USA could result in a controversial 'Biscotto' scenario | Dirty Tackle - Yahoo Sports

There has been much speculation that the USA and Germany might be encouraged to split the points on Thursday, particularly because coaches Klinsmann and Jogi Loew are good friends. When this idea was mooted in the post-match press conference following the Portugal draw, however, Klinsmann was quick to dismiss it.

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants to beat Germany and win World Cup Group G - ESPN FC

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann says his team won't be satisfied with a draw against Germany in their final Group G match on Thursday, even though that result would see them qualify for the round of 16 along with the Germans.

Klinsmann says U.S. wants win, not tie, vs Germany | CJOnline.com

Would the United States and Germany try to play to a tie Thursday that would guarantee World Cup advancement to both nations?

Besler and Zusi stock rising with World Cup spotlight | The Kansas City Star

While Besler and Sporting Kansas City teammate Graham Zusi further carve out their roles within a surging national team, their international stock is rising — an undeniable fact that could lead to a cascade of new opportunities upon their return from Brazil.

United States Portugal World Cup match draws record television ratings - ESPN FC

The Nielsen company said Sunday's gripping game was seen by an average of 24.7 million viewers on ESPN and Univision. That matches it with the 24.7 million U.S. viewers who watched the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.

- In The News -

‘Memphis Belle’ lands in KC, will offer flights June 28 and 29 | The Kansas City Star

The “Memphis Belle” is at Wheeler Downtown Airport and will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

'Like a Rolling Stone' draft could sell for $2M | The Kansas City Star

The draft is written in pencil on four sheets of hotel letterhead stationery with revisions, additions, notes and doodles: a hat, a bird, an animal with antlers. The stationery comes from the Roger Smith Hotel in Washington, D.C.

In Harper County, crash that killed teens is hard to make sense of | Wichita Eagle

To a casual observer, the intersection of two dirt roads a mile south of this small town might seem an unlikely place for a collision. (Ed. Note: These kids are from the same high school I went to. I'm very familiar with the road they were on and the intersection.)

- This Day in Sports History -

1911 - John J. McDermott became the first American-born winner of the U.S. Open.

1922 - The American Professional Football Association took the name of The National Football League (NFL).

1968 - Jim Northrup of the Detroit Tigers tied a major league baseball record when he hit two grand slams in one game.

2003 - Barry Bonds became the first player to reach 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.

- Videos of the Day -

VIDEO: 17-year-old female knuckleballer throws BP to Rays - CBSSports.com

Chelsea Baker, a 17-year-old female high school pitcher from Florida (her MaxPreps page), learned the knuckleball from the great Joe Niekro. It so happens that she was able to put her skills on display Monday night when Rays manager Joe Maddon let her throw batting practice to his team before their 8-1 loss to the Pirates.

And the next man wants to hit the ball too.

And he does!  And there he goes off in that direction.  And everyone is happy.

- Daily Trivia -

Yesterday's answer: The San Diego Chargers drafted ex-Kansas linebacker Don Goode with a first-round pick in 1974.

Today's question: What two-sport athlete for KU in the mid-1990s was drafted by both NFL and Major League Baseball teams?