University of Kansas

Kansas’ NCAA title defense filled with obstacles in West, not Midwest, path: podcast

Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) celebrates a basket against Texas during the Big 12 Conference tournament championship basketball game Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City.
Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) celebrates a basket against Texas during the Big 12 Conference tournament championship basketball game Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City. nwagner@kcstar.com

Kansas starts defense of its NCAA Tournament championship in a familiar spot on the bracket, as a No. 1 seed. But the Jayhawks will begin their quest from the West instead of the Midwest Region.

On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha discuss all things KU — from the health of coach Bill Self, who missed the Big 12 tournament with a cardiac episode, to the availability of defensive standout Kevin McCullar, to how the team displayed both superb and disappointing play in Kansas City last weekend.

Also, just how did Kansas, with the best resume in college basketball, wind up in the West instead of the Midwest, where the Sweet 16 is set for Kansas City?

The location of the regional may not matter as much as the path, and KU appears to have drawn a difficult one.

Story link:

Did the Kansas Jayhawks get lucky or unlucky with 2023 NCAA Tournament draw?

Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER