By NATE KING Salina Post

On Sunday, dozens of excited K-State Fans gathered at a Salina car dealership to get an autograph and photo with K-State's quarterback, Will Howard, and outgoing senior and former K-State quarterback Adrian Martinez.&nbsp;

Long McArthur Ford, 3450 South 9th Street, hosted the two athletes as part of an NCAA image and likeness promotion event.&nbsp;

Howard said the return of the entire offensive line bodes well for the 2023 season.&nbsp;

"We got our whole offensive line coming back, which is huge," Howard said. "We got a couple of really good transfers. Treshaun Ward, running back, Keagan Johnson, wide receiver."

Following their first Big XII Championship in a decade, K-State football is back on the field with their spring season starting this week.&nbsp;

"This is the second day but seeing those guys. They fit in really well and our culture is just off the charts good," Howard said. "You would think&nbsp; having a really good season, people get worried about you getting complacent, but that really hasn't been the case at all."

Not everyone will be returning to Bill Snyder Family Stadium in 2023. Adrian Martinez, K-State MBA graduate, told Salina Post he will miss his time at K-State but he is excited for what is next in his career.&nbsp;

"I played college football for five years. Now on to the next step," Martinez said. "It's been a great process. It was a bit strange at first, but being able to train and just continue to get better and know I'm taking the next step is exciting."

While Martinez was out for the entire latter half of the of the season due to a leg injury during K-States 2022 match up with Baylor, he laid down the groundwork leading the Wildcats to a 5-1 record to begin the season.&nbsp;

Last month Martinez was selected with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 USFL College Draft by the New Jersey Generals.&nbsp;

Martinez said leagues like the USFL, XFL and CFL are a tier below the NFL, and allow athletes to showcase their abilities and try to make it to the NFL.&nbsp;

"It can be useful for a lot of different guys and there's been some success stories. And really, it's fun to watch too so if you haven't watched it and you love football check it out," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679057998873.jpeg" alt="K-State's quarterbacks Will Howard and Adrian Martinez pose with fans. Photos by Nate King/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>K-State's quarterbacks Will Howard and Adrian Martinez pose with fans. Photos by Nate King/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostOn Sunday, dozens of excited K-State Fans gathered at a Salina car dealership to get an autograph and photo with K-State's quarterback, Will Howard, and outgoing senior and former K-State quarterback Adrian Martinez.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679062395406.jpeg" alt="Dozens of K-State fans lined up at Long McArthur Ford for an autograph from K-State quarterbacks Howard and Martinez." />
 <figcaption>Dozens of K-State fans lined up at Long McArthur Ford for an autograph from K-State quarterbacks Howard and Martinez.</figcaption>
 </figure>Long McArthur Ford, 3450 South 9th Street, hosted the two athletes as part of an NCAA image and likeness promotion event.&nbsp;Howard said the return of the entire offensive line bodes well for the 2023 season.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679058483405.jpeg" alt="Posters featuring Will Howard and Adrian Martinez, were provided for fans to have autographed. Photo by Scott Walker" />
 <figcaption>Posters featuring Will Howard and Adrian Martinez, were provided for fans to have autographed. Photo by Scott Walker</figcaption>
 </figure>"We got our whole offensive line coming back, which is huge," Howard said. "We got a couple of really good transfers. Treshaun Ward, running back, Keagan Johnson, wide receiver."Following their first Big XII Championship in a decade, K-State football is back on the field with their spring season starting this week.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679058433922.jpeg" alt="Posters featuring Will Howard and Adrian Martinez, were provided for fans to have autographed. Photo by Scott Walker" />
 <figcaption>Posters featuring Will Howard and Adrian Martinez, were provided for fans to have autographed. Photo by Scott Walker</figcaption>
 </figure>"This is the second day but seeing those guys. They fit in really well and our culture is just off the charts good," Howard said. "You would think&nbsp; having a really good season, people get worried about you getting complacent, but that really hasn't been the case at all."Not everyone will be returning to Bill Snyder Family Stadium in 2023. Adrian Martinez, K-State MBA graduate, told Salina Post he will miss his time at K-State but he is excited for what is next in his career.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679058287783.jpeg" alt="K-State QB Will Howard signs a tennis shoe.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>K-State QB Will Howard signs a tennis shoe.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>"I played college football for five years. Now on to the next step," Martinez said. "It's been a great process. It was a bit strange at first, but being able to train and just continue to get better and know I'm taking the next step is exciting."While Martinez was out for the entire latter half of the of the season due to a leg injury during K-States 2022 match up with Baylor, he laid down the groundwork leading the Wildcats to a 5-1 record to begin the season.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679058224563.jpeg" alt="Adrian Martinez autographs a miniature K-State helmet." />
 <figcaption>Adrian Martinez autographs a miniature K-State helmet.</figcaption>
 </figure>Last month Martinez was selected with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 USFL College Draft by the New Jersey Generals.&nbsp;Martinez said leagues like the USFL, XFL and CFL are a tier below the NFL, and allow athletes to showcase their abilities and try to make it to the NFL.&nbsp;"It can be useful for a lot of different guys and there's been some success stories. And really, it's fun to watch too so if you haven't watched it and you love football check it out," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679062372417.jpeg" alt="K-State's quarterback Adrian Martinez poses with a fan." />
 <figcaption>K-State's quarterback Adrian Martinez poses with a fan.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Local dealership hosts K-State QBs Will Howard, Adrian Martinez

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;With a combined 55 points in the second and third quarters, K-State cruised to a 90-56 win over Wichita State in the first round of the 2023 Postseason WNIT at Bramlage Coliseum on Thursday night. The 90 points and the 34-point margin of victory set school records for a Postseason WNIT game.

K-State (18-16) held a 19-12 lead after the first quarter, but outscored Wichita State (18-15) 55-23 over the next two quarters to build a 47-point advantage with five minutes remaining. The 47-point lead was the highest for the Wildcats this season.

The Wildcats poured in a season-high 31 points in the third quarter, surpassing the previous mark of 30 against Clemson on November 24. During the third frame, K-State shot 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the field including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.

For the night, K-State placed four of its five starters in double figures and were led by sophomore Serena Sundell with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting and added seven assists and two steals.

Joining Sundell, were sophomores Brylee Glenn with 15 points and Jaelyn Glenn with her third double-double of the season with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Senior Gabby Gregory added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679020649229.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com">kstatesports.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://kstatesports.com">kstatesports.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State SportsMANHATTAN –&nbsp;With a combined 55 points in the second and third quarters, K-State cruised to a 90-56 win over Wichita State in the first round of the 2023 Postseason WNIT at Bramlage Coliseum on Thursday night. The 90 points and the 34-point margin of victory set school records for a Postseason WNIT game.K-State (18-16) held a 19-12 lead after the first quarter, but outscored Wichita State (18-15) 55-23 over the next two quarters to build a 47-point advantage with five minutes remaining. The 47-point lead was the highest for the Wildcats this season.The Wildcats poured in a season-high 31 points in the third quarter, surpassing the previous mark of 30 against Clemson on November 24. During the third frame, K-State shot 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the field including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.For the night, K-State placed four of its five starters in double figures and were led by sophomore Serena Sundell with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting and added seven assists and two steals.Joining Sundell, were sophomores Brylee Glenn with 15 points and Jaelyn Glenn with her third double-double of the season with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Senior Gabby Gregory added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.

K-State eases past Wichita State in WNIT opener

SURPRISE, Ariz.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have signed&nbsp;left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jake Brentz&nbsp;to a two-year contract. Per club policy, terms were not disclosed. 

The Royals now have 40 players on their Major League Reserve List.

Brentz, 28, made the Opening Day roster with Kansas City in 2022 for the second straight season, but pitched in only eight games and was placed on the Injured List on April 30 before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. As a rookie in 2021, Brentz went 5-2 with 2 saves, a 3.66 ERA (26 ER in 64.0 IP) and led the Royals with 72 appearances.

SURPRISE, Ariz.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have signed&nbsp;left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jake Brentz&nbsp;to a two-year contract. Per club policy, terms were not disclosed. The Royals now have 40 players on their Major League Reserve List.Brentz, 28, made the Opening Day roster with Kansas City in 2022 for the second straight season, but pitched in only eight games and was placed on the Injured List on April 30 before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. As a rookie in 2021, Brentz went 5-2 with 2 saves, a 3.66 ERA (26 ER in 64.0 IP) and led the Royals with 72 appearances.

Royals sign LHP Brentz to 2-year contract

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time filling two enormous holes on their Super Bowl-winning roster.

After reaching agreements earlier in the week, the Chiefs announced the signings Thursday of offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Charles Omenihu. Taylor is expected to replace Orlando Brown Jr., who agreed to a deal elsewhere in free agency, and Omenihu is expected to help replace Frank Clark, who was released in a move to create salary cap space.

"There was a good amount of teams involved," Taylor said, "but once free agency opened up, my agent told me about the possibility of the Chiefs wanting me. It's a great opportunity and I couldn't pass it up."

The 25-year-old Taylor, who played almost exclusively right tackle in Jacksonville but will likely move to the left side in Kansas City, agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not disclosed.

Omenihu, who is also 25, signed a two-year, $16 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal also told the AP.

The Chiefs were tight on salary cap space after the season — a big reason they released Clark and were unable to sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who instead agreed to a deal with New England. But they were able to free up some extra space on Wednesday night when they converted part of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' $34.4 million roster bonus into a signing bonus spread over the next four years, which freed up nearly $10 million in space for the current offseason.

Mahomes will hope that Taylor can continue the breakthrough he began to experience last season.

The second-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2019 draft gave up a league-leading 40 sacks his first three seasons. But Taylor only allowed six sacks while protecting Trevor Lawrence last season, which ended with a divisional-round loss to Kansas City, and produced one of the lowest pressure rates among offensive tackles in the league.

It's not guaranteed that Taylor will end up at right tackle, though that's the expectation. The Chiefs also have a hole on the right side after Andrew Wylie joined Washington, but that position is typically easier — and cheaper — to fill. The Chiefs have an in-house candidate with Lucas Niang and could also address that need through next month's draft.

"Left tackle, right tackle, it's just a flip of the hips, honestly," Taylor said. "If you're athletic enough, trust your feet, have good coaching and I think they have that here, I think the transition will be pretty good."

Omenihu was a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2019 but was traded after two-plus seasons of mediocre production to San Francisco in November 2021. He proceed to have a career-best 4 1/2 sacks for the 49ers last season.

"I think I'm a guy that can play the run on first and second down, play over tight ends, and I can rush on the edge if you need me to," Omenihu said. "I think versatiltiy is what I bring to the table, a guy that's going to play hard."

Omenihu arrives in Kansas City amid some off-the-field trouble. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in January, though no charges have been filed, after his girlfriend accused him of pushing her to the ground.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been a whiz when it comes to plugging holes through the draft, and while their first pick isn't until No. 31 overall, they have 11 total to further address defensive end, offensive tackle and wide receiver.

Last year, the Chiefs used one of their first-round picks on George Karlaftis, and he blossomed into a game-changing pass rusher who totaled six sacks. The previous year, they used a second-round pick on Creed Humphrey and a sixth-rounder on guard Trey Smith, both of whom have joined Joe Thuney in forming a dominant interior offensive line.

"You always try to stick to just the best player," Veach said, "because it's a game of attrition. You can sit there and think that you're deep at a position — I remember a few years ago we thought we were really deep at defensive line and within the first three or four weeks we lost three of them. So, you always want to make sure you take the best player."

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time filling two enormous holes on their Super Bowl-winning roster.After reaching agreements earlier in the week, the Chiefs announced the signings Thursday of offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Charles Omenihu. Taylor is expected to replace Orlando Brown Jr., who agreed to a deal elsewhere in free agency, and Omenihu is expected to help replace Frank Clark, who was released in a move to create salary cap space."There was a good amount of teams involved," Taylor said, "but once free agency opened up, my agent told me about the possibility of the Chiefs wanting me. It's a great opportunity and I couldn't pass it up."The 25-year-old Taylor, who played almost exclusively right tackle in Jacksonville but will likely move to the left side in Kansas City, agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not disclosed.Omenihu, who is also 25, signed a two-year, $16 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal also told the AP.The Chiefs were tight on salary cap space after the season — a big reason they released Clark and were unable to sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who instead agreed to a deal with New England. But they were able to free up some extra space on Wednesday night when they converted part of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' $34.4 million roster bonus into a signing bonus spread over the next four years, which freed up nearly $10 million in space for the current offseason.Mahomes will hope that Taylor can continue the breakthrough he began to experience last season.The second-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2019 draft gave up a league-leading 40 sacks his first three seasons. But Taylor only allowed six sacks while protecting Trevor Lawrence last season, which ended with a divisional-round loss to Kansas City, and produced one of the lowest pressure rates among offensive tackles in the league.It's not guaranteed that Taylor will end up at right tackle, though that's the expectation. The Chiefs also have a hole on the right side after Andrew Wylie joined Washington, but that position is typically easier — and cheaper — to fill. The Chiefs have an in-house candidate with Lucas Niang and could also address that need through next month's draft."Left tackle, right tackle, it's just a flip of the hips, honestly," Taylor said. "If you're athletic enough, trust your feet, have good coaching and I think they have that here, I think the transition will be pretty good."Omenihu was a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2019 but was traded after two-plus seasons of mediocre production to San Francisco in November 2021. He proceed to have a career-best 4 1/2 sacks for the 49ers last season."I think I'm a guy that can play the run on first and second down, play over tight ends, and I can rush on the edge if you need me to," Omenihu said. "I think versatiltiy is what I bring to the table, a guy that's going to play hard."Omenihu arrives in Kansas City amid some off-the-field trouble. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in January, though no charges have been filed, after his girlfriend accused him of pushing her to the ground.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been a whiz when it comes to plugging holes through the draft, and while their first pick isn't until No. 31 overall, they have 11 total to further address defensive end, offensive tackle and wide receiver.Last year, the Chiefs used one of their first-round picks on George Karlaftis, and he blossomed into a game-changing pass rusher who totaled six sacks. The previous year, they used a second-round pick on Creed Humphrey and a sixth-rounder on guard Trey Smith, both of whom have joined Joe Thuney in forming a dominant interior offensive line."You always try to stick to just the best player," Veach said, "because it's a game of attrition. You can sit there and think that you're deep at a position — I remember a few years ago we thought we were really deep at defensive line and within the first three or four weeks we lost three of them. So, you always want to make sure you take the best player."

Chiefs announce signings of OT Taylor, DE Omenihu to deals

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jalen Wilson had 20 points and seven rebounds for No. 1 seed and defending national champion Kansas, which allowed absent and recovering coach Bill Self to rest during an easy 96-68 victory over Howard on Thursday in a West Region first round game.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-miss-game-482c51e6affea64f197c8dd9bbf13407">Self is still recovering from</a>&nbsp;a recent heart procedure.

Gradey Dick had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the freshman’s first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament game</a>. K.J. Adams Jr. scored 13 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. added 11 points for the Jayhawks (28-7), who will play the winner of the Arkansas against Illinois game in the second round on Saturday.

Kansas, which has won 16 consecutive first round games, is trying to become the first repeat NCAA winner in 16 years.

Shy Odom had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Bison (22-13), who were making the program's first tournament appearance since 1992.

The Jayhawks started their NCAA-record 33rd consecutive tournament appearance with assistant coach Norm Roberts running the show — a strange sight without Self shouting orders from the bench. The 60-year-old Self, who's in his 20th season at Kansas, underwent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-24e6cfc119fe6ed60f35e7662563c73b">standard heart procedure</a>&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries in his heart last week that prevented him from coaching in the Big 12 Tournament.

The Jayhawks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-kansas-big-12-championship-bf4ed2d79c080f679edd12f05954db2b">lost in the Big 12 title game</a>&nbsp;to Texas, but their 15-6 record in Quad 1 games that the NCAA categorizes for selection criteria was unmatched in the country by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-bill-self-kansas-lawrence-basketball-38db25941b3ff72b55c09f48ac7018d7">new-look team</a>&nbsp;that lost most of its best players from last year's championships squad.

Kansas is not that deep, but the Jayhawks move and share the ball at a dizzying pace that was ultimately too much for the Bison to keep up with.

Howard took the lead five times in the second half, but Kansas always snapped back — often with a well-placed hand in a passing lane for a steal and a fast-break finish. Then there were the alley-oops, with Harris and Kevin McCullar Jr. each delivering a textbook lob off the drive to Ernest Udeh Jr. for a rim-jarring dunk in the first half. Harris found Adams for one, too.

Howard's rare appearance on the big stage came exactly five years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-games-jairus-lyles-united-states-joe-namath-ee4f122271374fa7b5e42bf893e80dc4">UMBC's takedown of Virginia</a>, the only time a No. 16 seed has ever beaten a No. 1. The Bison were the 149th team to try.

Wearing their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/howard-university-basketball-unveils-the-mecca-jerseys-for-black-history-month/65-b07e04d3-7a33-4239-bab3-857342033dae">Black History Month jerseys</a>&nbsp;with green trim and a red script “The Mecca” on the front — in reference to Howard's nickname as the country's most prominent historically Black university — the Bison took the court with plenty of confidence.

Elijah Hawkins hit an early 3-pointer and pointed a finger to his forearm to signal ice in his veins. Kobe Dickson flexed his right arm after muscling in a layup.

Coach Kenneth Blakeney, whose team went 4-29 in his first season in 2019-20, subbed hockey style in the first half with five-man units to keep his team fresh. The Bison's game against Kentucky in November — a 95-63 loss — gave them a taste of this level of competition, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/howard-norfolk-state-741647b610b7bd73f71df4531c15e56b">Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions</a>&nbsp;weren't able to match the speed and athleticism the Jayhawks boast.

The Jayhawks won the regular season title in a stacked conference, a testament to Self's acumen and the versatility of this team led by the Big 12 Player of the Year in Wilson, a rising star in Dick, the Texas Tech transfer McCullar and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the point guard Harris.

Dick went 7 for 13 from the floor and 3 for 5 from 3-point range to set the Kansas freshman record for made 3-pointers in a season, besting Jeff Boschee.

Blakeney raved at his news conference on Wednesday about the rich and fascinating history at Howard, reeling off a list of famous alumni that includes Vice President Kamala Harris, class of 1986. She&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KCCINews/status/1636440976842473489">watched the game</a>&nbsp;with her husband from a suite at Wells Fargo Arena. When she was shown on the video board, the boos — Kansas is a Republican-leaning state, after all — drowned out the applause.

Dick was startled by a sudden roar from the crowd a split-second after he swished a free throw late in the first half. What was the big deal? The end of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/furman-virginia-march-madness-upset-1b4e3c5c8b1ce5896eea85ba9fd42761">Furman-Virginia game</a>&nbsp;was on the video board above the court, and J.P. Pegues had just hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to give the underdog Paladins the lead. Another outcry came when No. 13 seed Furman sealed the victory, a less-disruptive reaction because it was during timeout.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678998629501.jpeg" alt="Kansas's Jalen Wilson rebounds in front of Howard's Marcus Dockery during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas's Jalen Wilson rebounds in front of Howard's Marcus Dockery during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Morry Gash).</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports WriterDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jalen Wilson had 20 points and seven rebounds for No. 1 seed and defending national champion Kansas, which allowed absent and recovering coach Bill Self to rest during an easy 96-68 victory over Howard on Thursday in a West Region first round game.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-miss-game-482c51e6affea64f197c8dd9bbf13407">Self is still recovering from</a>&nbsp;a recent heart procedure.Gradey Dick had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the freshman’s first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament game</a>. K.J. Adams Jr. scored 13 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. added 11 points for the Jayhawks (28-7), who will play the winner of the Arkansas against Illinois game in the second round on Saturday.Kansas, which has won 16 consecutive first round games, is trying to become the first repeat NCAA winner in 16 years.Shy Odom had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Bison (22-13), who were making the program's first tournament appearance since 1992.The Jayhawks started their NCAA-record 33rd consecutive tournament appearance with assistant coach Norm Roberts running the show — a strange sight without Self shouting orders from the bench. The 60-year-old Self, who's in his 20th season at Kansas, underwent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-24e6cfc119fe6ed60f35e7662563c73b">standard heart procedure</a>&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries in his heart last week that prevented him from coaching in the Big 12 Tournament.The Jayhawks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-kansas-big-12-championship-bf4ed2d79c080f679edd12f05954db2b">lost in the Big 12 title game</a>&nbsp;to Texas, but their 15-6 record in Quad 1 games that the NCAA categorizes for selection criteria was unmatched in the country by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-bill-self-kansas-lawrence-basketball-38db25941b3ff72b55c09f48ac7018d7">new-look team</a>&nbsp;that lost most of its best players from last year's championships squad.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679003426682.jpeg" alt="Kansas's Gradey Dick shoots a 3-pointer during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas's Gradey Dick shoots a 3-pointer during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas is not that deep, but the Jayhawks move and share the ball at a dizzying pace that was ultimately too much for the Bison to keep up with.Howard took the lead five times in the second half, but Kansas always snapped back — often with a well-placed hand in a passing lane for a steal and a fast-break finish. Then there were the alley-oops, with Harris and Kevin McCullar Jr. each delivering a textbook lob off the drive to Ernest Udeh Jr. for a rim-jarring dunk in the first half. Harris found Adams for one, too.Howard's rare appearance on the big stage came exactly five years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-games-jairus-lyles-united-states-joe-namath-ee4f122271374fa7b5e42bf893e80dc4">UMBC's takedown of Virginia</a>, the only time a No. 16 seed has ever beaten a No. 1. The Bison were the 149th team to try.Wearing their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/howard-university-basketball-unveils-the-mecca-jerseys-for-black-history-month/65-b07e04d3-7a33-4239-bab3-857342033dae">Black History Month jerseys</a>&nbsp;with green trim and a red script “The Mecca” on the front — in reference to Howard's nickname as the country's most prominent historically Black university — the Bison took the court with plenty of confidence.Elijah Hawkins hit an early 3-pointer and pointed a finger to his forearm to signal ice in his veins. Kobe Dickson flexed his right arm after muscling in a layup.Coach Kenneth Blakeney, whose team went 4-29 in his first season in 2019-20, subbed hockey style in the first half with five-man units to keep his team fresh. The Bison's game against Kentucky in November — a 95-63 loss — gave them a taste of this level of competition, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/howard-norfolk-state-741647b610b7bd73f71df4531c15e56b">Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions</a>&nbsp;weren't able to match the speed and athleticism the Jayhawks boast.The Jayhawks won the regular season title in a stacked conference, a testament to Self's acumen and the versatility of this team led by the Big 12 Player of the Year in Wilson, a rising star in Dick, the Texas Tech transfer McCullar and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the point guard Harris.DEEP RECORDDick went 7 for 13 from the floor and 3 for 5 from 3-point range to set the Kansas freshman record for made 3-pointers in a season, besting Jeff Boschee.PROUD ALUMBlakeney raved at his news conference on Wednesday about the rich and fascinating history at Howard, reeling off a list of famous alumni that includes Vice President Kamala Harris, class of 1986. She&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KCCINews/status/1636440976842473489">watched the game</a>&nbsp;with her husband from a suite at Wells Fargo Arena. When she was shown on the video board, the boos — Kansas is a Republican-leaning state, after all — drowned out the applause.EYES UPDick was startled by a sudden roar from the crowd a split-second after he swished a free throw late in the first half. What was the big deal? The end of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/furman-virginia-march-madness-upset-1b4e3c5c8b1ce5896eea85ba9fd42761">Furman-Virginia game</a>&nbsp;was on the video board above the court, and J.P. Pegues had just hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to give the underdog Paladins the lead. Another outcry came when No. 13 seed Furman sealed the victory, a less-disruptive reaction because it was during timeout.

🏀 No. 1 seed Kansas cruises past Howard with Self still absent

DES MOINES, Iowa –&nbsp;Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self will miss today’s NCAA Tournament game versus Howard but continues to progress well from a recent health issue. Assistant Coach Norm Roberts will serve as&nbsp;acting head coach today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas AthleticsDES MOINES, Iowa –&nbsp;Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self will miss today’s NCAA Tournament game versus Howard but continues to progress well from a recent health issue. Assistant Coach Norm Roberts will serve as&nbsp;acting head coach today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Self to miss Thursday’s NCAA game versus Howard

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

Four-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown, Jr. is leaving the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for a $64.09 million, four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brown's agent, Michael Portner, confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Wednesday night. He said it includes a $31 million signing bonus.

Brown, a third-round pick by Baltimore in 2018, spent three seasons with the Ravens and the last two with the Chiefs.

He goes from protecting NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes to blocking for Joe Burrow.

Brown began his career at right tackle and shifted to the left side in 2020. He'll protect Burrow's blindside in Cincinnati.

The Bengals lost to the Chiefs in the AFC championship game in January.

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football WriterFour-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown, Jr. is leaving the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for a $64.09 million, four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.Brown's agent, Michael Portner, confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Wednesday night. He said it includes a $31 million signing bonus.Brown, a third-round pick by Baltimore in 2018, spent three seasons with the Ravens and the last two with the Chiefs.He goes from protecting NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes to blocking for Joe Burrow.Brown began his career at right tackle and shifted to the left side in 2020. He'll protect Burrow's blindside in Cincinnati.The Bengals lost to the Chiefs in the AFC championship game in January.

Agent: Orlando Brown, Jr. gets 4-year deal with Bengals

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa — Bill Self's status for Kansas' opener in the NCAA Tournament was uncertain Wednesday, though assistant coach Norm Roberts said the Jayhawks remain hopeful he'll be on the bench when they play Howard on Thursday.

Kansas' Hall of Fame coach was discharged from a Kansas City-area hospital Sunday, where he'd been recovering after a procedure to treat blocked arteries in his heart.

Self attended practice at Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday morning but did not participate in his team's media availability. Roberts said Self also was at practice Tuesday and has been at all of the team's meetings.

"He's doing well, he's getting better all the time," Roberts said. "We're hopeful, and everything is day-to-day with him, but if you ask our guys, he got after them pretty good today so he was doing really well."

Roberts said Self missed the news conference so he could get some rest before the top-seeded and defending national champion Jayhawks begin play in the West Region.

All-American Jalen Wilson said Self appeared to have good energy at practice.

"He's looking great, feeling great," Wilson said. "We're all excited. It's great to have him back on the court with us, for him to be able to coach us and start off tomorrow with a bang."

Self went to the emergency room the night of March 8, shortly after watching the Jayhawks in a final shootaround ahead of their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns with his balance.

Dr. Mark Wiley, the chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Kansas Health System, said the 60-year-old Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed to help treat the blocked arteries.

Roberts, coached the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament. Roberts also served as acting coach earlier in the season, while Self was serving a school-imposed four-game suspension.

Kansas beat West Virginia and Iowa State in the Big 12 tourney with Roberts again on the bench before getting blown out 76-56 by seventh-ranked Texas in Saturday night's championship game.

Self is 581-130 during two decades at Kansas, and 788-235 in 30 seasons as a head coach, which includes stops at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois. He led the Jayhawks to national titles in 2008 and last April.

Not having Self on the bench for the Big 12 Tournament just didn't feel right to freshman and native Kansan Gradey Dick. He's counting on Self coaching here.

"He's our leader. For him to be back in the position that he's always in is just huge for us," Dick said. "We go to him, and of course I go to him with anything that I need. Just seeing him in my corner just motivates me to be the best I can be."

Illinois coach Brad Underwood said he's not surprised Self is with the Jayhawks in Des Moines. Underwood has known Self more than 40 years. Self was his host on a recruiting trip to Oklahoma State; Underwood picked Kansas State. They coached against each other in the Big 12 when Underwood was an assistant at K-State and head coach at OSU.

Their teams would meet in the second round Saturday if the Illini beat Arkansas and the Jayhawks advance.

"I know how tough he is. I know what a competitor he is," Underwood said. "I also know how important it is for him to be here for his players and his coaches.

"I don't want to speak for Bill, you know, he may not be his 100% spry self. ... When Bill is on that sideline, he's helping his team."

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports WriterDES MOINES, Iowa — Bill Self's status for Kansas' opener in the NCAA Tournament was uncertain Wednesday, though assistant coach Norm Roberts said the Jayhawks remain hopeful he'll be on the bench when they play Howard on Thursday.Kansas' Hall of Fame coach was discharged from a Kansas City-area hospital Sunday, where he'd been recovering after a procedure to treat blocked arteries in his heart.Self attended practice at Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday morning but did not participate in his team's media availability. Roberts said Self also was at practice Tuesday and has been at all of the team's meetings."He's doing well, he's getting better all the time," Roberts said. "We're hopeful, and everything is day-to-day with him, but if you ask our guys, he got after them pretty good today so he was doing really well."Roberts said Self missed the news conference so he could get some rest before the top-seeded and defending national champion Jayhawks begin play in the West Region.All-American Jalen Wilson said Self appeared to have good energy at practice."He's looking great, feeling great," Wilson said. "We're all excited. It's great to have him back on the court with us, for him to be able to coach us and start off tomorrow with a bang."Self went to the emergency room the night of March 8, shortly after watching the Jayhawks in a final shootaround ahead of their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns with his balance.Dr. Mark Wiley, the chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Kansas Health System, said the 60-year-old Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed to help treat the blocked arteries.Roberts, coached the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament. Roberts also served as acting coach earlier in the season, while Self was serving a school-imposed four-game suspension.Kansas beat West Virginia and Iowa State in the Big 12 tourney with Roberts again on the bench before getting blown out 76-56 by seventh-ranked Texas in Saturday night's championship game.Self is 581-130 during two decades at Kansas, and 788-235 in 30 seasons as a head coach, which includes stops at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois. He led the Jayhawks to national titles in 2008 and last April.Not having Self on the bench for the Big 12 Tournament just didn't feel right to freshman and native Kansan Gradey Dick. He's counting on Self coaching here."He's our leader. For him to be back in the position that he's always in is just huge for us," Dick said. "We go to him, and of course I go to him with anything that I need. Just seeing him in my corner just motivates me to be the best I can be."Illinois coach Brad Underwood said he's not surprised Self is with the Jayhawks in Des Moines. Underwood has known Self more than 40 years. Self was his host on a recruiting trip to Oklahoma State; Underwood picked Kansas State. They coached against each other in the Big 12 when Underwood was an assistant at K-State and head coach at OSU.Their teams would meet in the second round Saturday if the Illini beat Arkansas and the Jayhawks advance."I know how tough he is. I know what a competitor he is," Underwood said. "I also know how important it is for him to be here for his players and his coaches."I don't want to speak for Bill, you know, he may not be his 100% spry self. ... When Bill is on that sideline, he's helping his team."

Kansas coach Bill Self 'day to day' at March Madness

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post

Two contributors to the Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Super Bowl season are heading elsewhere after signing deals with different teams. &nbsp;

After one year in Kansas City, wide receiver Juju Smith Schuster signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots.&nbsp; The move announced during the NFL's tampering period. &nbsp;

Smith-Schuster was second on the team behind tight end Travis Kelce in targets, receptions and receiving yards in a season that resembled his first four years as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. &nbsp;

The Patriots were seeking to replace Jakobi Meyers, their leading receiver, after he signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.&nbsp; Smith-Schuster shares a similar skill set with Meyers, which made the Patriots show specific interest in acquiring the former Chiefs receiver. &nbsp;

Also announced during the tampering period is the departure of defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, a former third round pick of the Chiefs who spent four years with the team and was part of both Super bowl champion teams.&nbsp;

Saunders signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints after hitting the free agent market for the first time since his rookie deal expired.&nbsp;

Through four seasons with Kansas City, Saunders played in 38 games and complied 4.5 sacks.&nbsp; His best season with the Chiefs came during this past season when he played in 16 games and having 15 quarterback pressures.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph PostTwo contributors to the Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Super Bowl season are heading elsewhere after signing deals with different teams. &nbsp;After one year in Kansas City, wide receiver Juju Smith Schuster signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots.&nbsp; The move announced during the NFL's tampering period. &nbsp;Smith-Schuster was second on the team behind tight end Travis Kelce in targets, receptions and receiving yards in a season that resembled his first four years as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. &nbsp;The Patriots were seeking to replace Jakobi Meyers, their leading receiver, after he signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.&nbsp; Smith-Schuster shares a similar skill set with Meyers, which made the Patriots show specific interest in acquiring the former Chiefs receiver. &nbsp;Also announced during the tampering period is the departure of defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, a former third round pick of the Chiefs who spent four years with the team and was part of both Super bowl champion teams.&nbsp;Saunders signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints after hitting the free agent market for the first time since his rookie deal expired.&nbsp;Through four seasons with Kansas City, Saunders played in 38 games and complied 4.5 sacks.&nbsp; His best season with the Chiefs came during this past season when he played in 16 games and having 15 quarterback pressures.&nbsp;

Chiefs lose Smith-Schuster, DT Saunders to free agency

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;continued to add to their list of honors on Wednesday afternoon (March 15), as the tandem earned All-America accolades from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nowell was named a Third Team All-American by both the NABC and USBWA, while Johnson was a member of the NABC's Third Team and one of four to garner honorable mention honors from the USBWA. Johnson and Nowell are the first Wildcats to garner All-America honors from the NABC since&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;in 2011, while Nowell is the first to earn the distinction from the USBWA since&nbsp;Michael Beasley&nbsp;in 2008. Already this season, the duo became the first in school history to be selected as All-Americans by The Associated Press and the first since Pullen in 2011 when they earned Third Team recognition on March 14, while Nowell has also earned Third Team honors from&nbsp;The Sporting News. In addition, Johnson and Nowell have been named to several Watch Lists for National Players of the Year honors, while each were selected as finalists for their respective position awards in Johnson for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and Nowell for the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award. Johnson was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while both were chosen to the All-Big 12 First Team by both the league coaches and AP. Nowell was joined on the USBWA's Third Team by North Carolina's&nbsp;Armando Bacot, Detroit Mercy's&nbsp;Antoine Davis, Iowa's&nbsp;Kris Murray&nbsp;and Penn State's&nbsp;Jalen Pickett. Johnson joined on the honorable mention list with Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Memphis'&nbsp;Kendric Davis&nbsp;and Miami's&nbsp;Isaiah Wong. Johnson and Nowell was joined on the NABC's Third Team by Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Marquette's&nbsp;Tyler Kolek&nbsp;and Wong. Purdue's&nbsp;Zach Edey, Indiana's&nbsp;Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston's&nbsp;Marcus Sasser, Gonzaga's&nbsp;Drew Timme&nbsp;and Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;were named First Team All-Americans by both the NABC and USBWA, while both organizations listed UCLA's&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr., Alabama's&nbsp;Brandon Miller, Kentucky's&nbsp;Oscar Tshiebwe&nbsp;and Arizona's&nbsp;Azuolas Tubelis&nbsp;as Second Team All-Americans. Pickett was on the NABC's Second Team, while Kolek received Second Team honors from the USBWA. A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson is currently averaging a team-best 17.7 points on 51.9 percent (209-of-403) from the field, including 41.9 percent (44-of-105) from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent (103-of-142) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game. He is one of only two players (Wilson) to rank in the top-5 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding both in overall and league-only games. A 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., Nowell is averaging 16.8 points on 37.7 percent (151-of-401) from the field, including 34.6 percent (75-of-217) from 3-point range, and 88.5 percent (162-of-183) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12's top-3 in 13 categories, including tops in assists (243), assists/game, free throws made (162) and attempted (183), free throw percentage, steals (76), steals/game and minutes. No. 15/13 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will meet No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) at 8:40 p.m., CT on Friday night in the first round of the East Regional at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678929397210.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keyontae-johnson/9899">Keyontae Johnson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;continued to add to their list of honors on Wednesday afternoon (March 15), as the tandem earned All-America accolades from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).&nbsp;&nbsp;Nowell was named a Third Team All-American by both the NABC and USBWA, while Johnson was a member of the NABC's Third Team and one of four to garner honorable mention honors from the USBWA. Johnson and Nowell are the first Wildcats to garner All-America honors from the NABC since&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;in 2011, while Nowell is the first to earn the distinction from the USBWA since&nbsp;Michael Beasley&nbsp;in 2008. Already this season, the duo became the first in school history to be selected as All-Americans by The Associated Press and the first since Pullen in 2011 when they earned Third Team recognition on March 14, while Nowell has also earned Third Team honors from&nbsp;The Sporting News. In addition, Johnson and Nowell have been named to several Watch Lists for National Players of the Year honors, while each were selected as finalists for their respective position awards in Johnson for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and Nowell for the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award. Johnson was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while both were chosen to the All-Big 12 First Team by both the league coaches and AP. Nowell was joined on the USBWA's Third Team by North Carolina's&nbsp;Armando Bacot, Detroit Mercy's&nbsp;Antoine Davis, Iowa's&nbsp;Kris Murray&nbsp;and Penn State's&nbsp;Jalen Pickett. Johnson joined on the honorable mention list with Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Memphis'&nbsp;Kendric Davis&nbsp;and Miami's&nbsp;Isaiah Wong. Johnson and Nowell was joined on the NABC's Third Team by Oral Roberts'&nbsp;Max Abmas, Marquette's&nbsp;Tyler Kolek&nbsp;and Wong. Purdue's&nbsp;Zach Edey, Indiana's&nbsp;Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston's&nbsp;Marcus Sasser, Gonzaga's&nbsp;Drew Timme&nbsp;and Kansas'&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;were named First Team All-Americans by both the NABC and USBWA, while both organizations listed UCLA's&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr., Alabama's&nbsp;Brandon Miller, Kentucky's&nbsp;Oscar Tshiebwe&nbsp;and Arizona's&nbsp;Azuolas Tubelis&nbsp;as Second Team All-Americans. Pickett was on the NABC's Second Team, while Kolek received Second Team honors from the USBWA. A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., Johnson is currently averaging a team-best 17.7 points on 51.9 percent (209-of-403) from the field, including 41.9 percent (44-of-105) from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent (103-of-142) from the free throw line, to go with a team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game. He is one of only two players (Wilson) to rank in the top-5 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding both in overall and league-only games. A 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., Nowell is averaging 16.8 points on 37.7 percent (151-of-401) from the field, including 34.6 percent (75-of-217) from 3-point range, and 88.5 percent (162-of-183) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 36.5 minutes per game. He ranks in the Big 12's top-3 in 13 categories, including tops in assists (243), assists/game, free throws made (162) and attempted (183), free throw percentage, steals (76), steals/game and minutes. No. 15/13 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will meet No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) at 8:40 p.m., CT on Friday night in the first round of the East Regional at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 K-State's Johnson, Nowell add more All-America honors

The Associated Press 2022-23 All-America men's basketball team with statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:

Zach Edey, Purdue, 7-4, 305, Junior, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds (58 of 58 first-place votes, 290 points(asterisk))

Jalen Wilson, Kansas, 6-8, 225, Redshirt junior, Denton, Texas, 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds (47, 264)

Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana, 6-9, 245, Senior, Greenwood, Indiana, 20.8 points, 10.9 rebounds (44, 258)

Marcus Sasser, Houston, 6-2, 195, Senior, Dallas, 17.1 points, 3.3 assists (33, 235)

Brandon Miller, Alabama, 6-9, 200, Freshman, Antioch, Tennessee, 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds (35, 227)

Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA, 6-7, 225, Senior, Camarillo, California, 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds (27, 220)

Drew Timme, Gonzaga, 6-10, 235, Senior, Richardson, Texas, 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, (22, 206)

Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona, 6-11, 245, Junior, Vilnius, Lithuania, 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds (6, 165)

Jalen Pickett, Penn State, 6-4, 209, Senior, Rochester, New York, 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds (8, 115)

Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky, 6-9, 260, Senior, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 16.5 points, 13.1 rebounds (2, 106)

Markquis Nowell, Kansas State, 5-8, 160, Senior, Harlem, New York, 16.8 points, 7.6 assists (2, 89)

Tyler Kolek, Marquette, 6-3, 190, Junior, Cumberland, Rhode Island, 13.3 points, 7.7 assists (1, 81)

Armando Bacot, North Carolina, 6-11, 235, Senior, Richmond, Virginia, 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds (1, 47)

Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State, 6-6, 230, Senior, Norfolk, Virginia, 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds (0, 45)

Kris Murray, Iowa, 6-8, 220, Junior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds (1, 44)

Honorable Mention (alphabetical order, players appearing on multiple ballots)

Max Abmas, Oral Roberts; Tyree Appleby, Wake Forest; Souley Boum, Xavier; Tyger Campbell, UCLA; Marcus Carr, Texas; Yuri Collins, St. Louis; Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy; Kendric Davis, Memphis, Hunter Dickinson, Michigan; Kyle Filipowski, Duke; Adam Flagler, Baylor; Ryan Falkbrenner, Creighton; Darius McGhee, Liberty; Mike Miles Jr., TCU; Adama Sanogo, Connecticut; Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&amp;M; Isaiah Wong, Miami.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Associated Press 2022-23 All-America men's basketball team with statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:First TeamZach Edey, Purdue, 7-4, 305, Junior, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds (58 of 58 first-place votes, 290 points(asterisk))Jalen Wilson, Kansas, 6-8, 225, Redshirt junior, Denton, Texas, 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds (47, 264)Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana, 6-9, 245, Senior, Greenwood, Indiana, 20.8 points, 10.9 rebounds (44, 258)Marcus Sasser, Houston, 6-2, 195, Senior, Dallas, 17.1 points, 3.3 assists (33, 235)Brandon Miller, Alabama, 6-9, 200, Freshman, Antioch, Tennessee, 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds (35, 227)Second TeamJaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA, 6-7, 225, Senior, Camarillo, California, 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds (27, 220)Drew Timme, Gonzaga, 6-10, 235, Senior, Richardson, Texas, 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, (22, 206)Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona, 6-11, 245, Junior, Vilnius, Lithuania, 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds (6, 165)Jalen Pickett, Penn State, 6-4, 209, Senior, Rochester, New York, 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds (8, 115)Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky, 6-9, 260, Senior, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 16.5 points, 13.1 rebounds (2, 106)Third TeamMarkquis Nowell, Kansas State, 5-8, 160, Senior, Harlem, New York, 16.8 points, 7.6 assists (2, 89)Tyler Kolek, Marquette, 6-3, 190, Junior, Cumberland, Rhode Island, 13.3 points, 7.7 assists (1, 81)Armando Bacot, North Carolina, 6-11, 235, Senior, Richmond, Virginia, 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds (1, 47)Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State, 6-6, 230, Senior, Norfolk, Virginia, 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds (0, 45)Kris Murray, Iowa, 6-8, 220, Junior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds (1, 44)Honorable Mention (alphabetical order, players appearing on multiple ballots)Max Abmas, Oral Roberts; Tyree Appleby, Wake Forest; Souley Boum, Xavier; Tyger Campbell, UCLA; Marcus Carr, Texas; Yuri Collins, St. Louis; Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy; Kendric Davis, Memphis, Hunter Dickinson, Michigan; Kyle Filipowski, Duke; Adam Flagler, Baylor; Ryan Falkbrenner, Creighton; Darius McGhee, Liberty; Mike Miles Jr., TCU; Adama Sanogo, Connecticut; Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&amp;M; Isaiah Wong, Miami.

KU's Wilson, K-State's Nowell, Johnson named to AP All-American teams

The Associated Press 2022-23 All-America men’s basketball team with 
statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:

Zach
 Edey, Purdue, 7-4, 305, Junior, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 22.3 points, 
12.8 rebounds (58 of 58 first-place votes, 290 points(asterisk))

Honorable Mention (alphabetical order, players appearing on multiple ballots)

Max
 Abmas, Oral Roberts; Tyree Appleby, Wake Forest; Souley Boum, Xavier; 
Tyger Campbell, UCLA; Marcus Carr, Texas; Yuri Collins, St. Louis; 
Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy; Kendric Davis, Memphis, Hunter Dickinson, 
Michigan; Kyle Filipowski, Duke; Adam Flagler, Baylor; Ryan Falkbrenner,
 Creighton; Darius McGhee, Liberty; Mike Miles Jr., TCU; Adama Sanogo, 
Connecticut; Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&amp;M; Isaiah Wong, Miami.

Associated PressThe Associated Press 2022-23 All-America men’s basketball team with 
statistics through regular-season and conference tournaments:First TeamZach
 Edey, Purdue, 7-4, 305, Junior, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 22.3 points, 
12.8 rebounds (58 of 58 first-place votes, 290 points(asterisk))Jalen Wilson, Kansas, 6-8, 225, Redshirt junior, Denton, Texas, 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds (47, 264)Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana, 6-9, 245, Senior, Greenwood, Indiana, 20.8 points, 10.9 rebounds (44, 258)Marcus Sasser, Houston, 6-2, 195, Senior, Dallas, 17.1 points, 3.3 assists (33, 235)Brandon Miller, Alabama, 6-9, 200, Freshman, Antioch, Tennessee, 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds (35, 227)Second TeamJaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA, 6-7, 225, Senior, Camarillo, California, 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds (27, 220)Drew Timme, Gonzaga, 6-10, 235, Senior, Richardson, Texas, 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, (22, 206)Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona, 6-11, 245, Junior, Vilnius, Lithuania, 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds (6, 165)Jalen Pickett, Penn State, 6-4, 209, Senior, Rochester, New York, 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds (8, 115)Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky, 6-9, 260, Senior, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 16.5 points, 13.1 rebounds (2, 106)Third TeamMarkquis Nowell, Kansas State, 5-8, 160, Senior, Harlem, New York, 16.8 points, 7.6 assists (2, 89)Tyler Kolek, Marquette, 6-3, 190, Junior, Cumberland, Rhode Island, 13.3 points, 7.7 assists (1, 81)Armando Bacot, North Carolina, 6-11, 235, Senior, Richmond, Virginia, 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds (1, 47)Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State, 6-6, 230, Senior, Norfolk, Virginia, 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds (0, 45)Kris Murray, Iowa, 6-8, 220, Junior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds (1, 44)Honorable Mention (alphabetical order, players appearing on multiple ballots)Max
 Abmas, Oral Roberts; Tyree Appleby, Wake Forest; Souley Boum, Xavier; 
Tyger Campbell, UCLA; Marcus Carr, Texas; Yuri Collins, St. Louis; 
Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy; Kendric Davis, Memphis, Hunter Dickinson, 
Michigan; Kyle Filipowski, Duke; Adam Flagler, Baylor; Ryan Falkbrenner,
 Creighton; Darius McGhee, Liberty; Mike Miles Jr., TCU; Adama Sanogo, 
Connecticut; Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&amp;M; Isaiah Wong, Miami.

🏀 KU, K-State represented on AP All-America team

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, and total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking.

Others receiving votes: Creighton 94, Oral Roberts 58, Kentucky 39, Iowa St. 32, VCU 26, Utah St. 15, Penn St. 11, Coll of Charleston 10, Kent St. 2, Northwestern 2, Drake 2, West Virginia 2.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThe top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, and total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking.		Record/Points/Previous1. Alabama (48)	29-5	1508	42. Houston (9)	31-3	1404	13. Purdue (3)	29-5	1367	54. Kansas	27-7	1303	35. Texas	26-8	1276	76. Marquette	28-6	1244	67. UCLA (1)	29-5	1209	28. Arizona	28-6	1155	89. Gonzaga	28-5	1046	910. UConn	25-8	854	1111. Baylor	22-10	779	1012. Duke	26-8	763	2113. Xavier	25-9	738	1514. Virginia	25-7	711	1315. Kansas St	23-9	709	1216. Miami	25-7	581	1417. Texas A&amp;M	25-9	562	1818. San Diego St.	27-6	550	2019. Saint Mary's	26-7	426	1620. Tennessee	23-10	381	1721. Indiana	22-11	332	1922. TCU	21-12	254	2223. Missouri	24-9	171	2524. Memphis	26-8	110	-25. FAU	31-3	99	-Others receiving votes: Creighton 94, Oral Roberts 58, Kentucky 39, Iowa St. 32, VCU 26, Utah St. 15, Penn St. 11, Coll of Charleston 10, Kent St. 2, Northwestern 2, Drake 2, West Virginia 2.

AP Top 25 men's poll: KU at No. 4, K-State at No. 15

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;For the seventh time in the last nine seasons, Kansas State women’s basketball will make a postseason appearance as the Wildcats have accepted a bid to play in the 2023 Postseason WNIT and will host Wichita State in the first round on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Tickets for K-State’s first round matchup with Wichita State are available now, by calling the K-State Athletic Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS, visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by stopping by the K-State Athletic Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum. Tickets are priced at $15 for chair backs, $10 for adult general admission and $5 for youth and senior citizens. All K-State students will receive free entry by showing a valid K-State ID at the door.

This will be K-State’s seventh appearance in the Postseason WNIT and the first since reaching the round of 16 in the 2018 WNIT. With K-State’s bid into the Postseason WNIT, the Wildcats are one of nine Big 12 schools to earn a women’s basketball postseason appearance in the 2022-23 season (six NCAA; three in WNIT).

The Wildcats are 16-5 in its previous six WNIT Tournament appearances in 1999, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2018. The Wildcats captured the 2006 WNIT title for the first postseason title in school history in front of a sell-out crowd of 13,340 fans.

K-State (17-16, 5-13 Big 12) will be opposed by the Shockers (18-14, 6-10 American) on Thursday in Bramlage Coliseum. K-State and Wichita State will meet for the 50th time and the first time since Dec. 12, 2014. This will be the third postseason meeting between the schools and the first since March 2, 1981. The Wildcats are 52-13 all-time against teams from the American Athletic Conference, with the last meeting against an AAC program coming on December 4, 2022 against Houston, a 73-59 K-State win.

Wichita State, making the program’s fifth WNIT appearance and first since 2012, is led by senior forwards Jane Asinde and Trajata Colbert. Asinde, a 2023 All-Conference Third Team selection, is averaging 13.2 points per game, 10.0 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks per game this season. Colbert, also a 2023 All-Conference recipient, is averaging 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds.

The Wildcats have been paced during the 2022-23 season by All-Big 12 First Team selection Gabby Gregory and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recipient, Serena Sundell. Gregory and Sundell are the 10th&nbsp;tandem in program history to combine for 1,000 or more points in a season, as the duo have registered 1,050 points this season.

In the 2022-23 season, Gregory established career season-highs in every statistical category including: scoring (595; 18.76 ppg), field goals made and attempted (185-of-459), three-point field goals made and attempted (74-of-238), free throws made and attempted (151-of-179), rebounding (174; 5.4 rpg), assists (62; 1.9 apg) and steals (23; 0.7 spg).

The product of Tulsa, Oklahoma, ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring (18.6 ppg), third in free throw percentage (.844), sixth for minutes played per game (34.42), seventh in field goal percentage (.403) and 3-point field goals made per game (2.31), 15th&nbsp;in rebounding (5.4 rpg). She also is second in the Big 12 with 18 games of 20 or more points.

Gregory is one of six players in the nation averaging 18 or more points, five or more rebounds and two or more 3-point field goals made per game. She is the first player in K-State history and one of four in the nation with 575 or more points, 150 or more made free throws and 70 or more connections from beyond the arc.

She ranks second in school history for free throws made in a season (151) and has set the school record for free throws made by a senior in a season. She is seventh in school history for free throws attempted in a season (179).

Sundell expanded upon her debut season in 2021-22 with an exemplary 2022-23 campaign, as she has carded career season-highs in a number of categories including: scoring (455; 13.8 ppg), field goals made (144), field goal percentage (.486), free throws made and attempted (148-of-188), rebounding (163; 4.9 rpg), blocks (26; 0.8 bpg) and steals (61; 1.8 spg). Sundell’s 168 assists this season ranks second in school history in a sophomore season.

The native of Maryville, Missouri, ranks 12th&nbsp;in scoring in the Big 12, fourth in assists (5.10 apg), fifth in steals, eighth in assist/turnover percentage (1.51), ), 10th&nbsp;in blocks per game (0.79 bpg), 10th&nbsp;in minutes played per game (33.23) and 12th&nbsp;in free throw percentage (.787).

With her two-season total of 806 points and 344 assists, Sundell is the first Wildcat in program history to register 800 or more points and 325 or more assists by the conclusion of their sophomore season.

Sundell’s career assist total of 344 ranks 12th&nbsp;on the K-State career assists list. She has led K-State in assists in 53 of her 66 career games.

Sundell ranks third in school history for free throws made in a season with 148. Sundell’s 188 free throw attempts ranks fourth in school history for a single season and the most by a guard in program history. Her 188 free throw attempts are the most by a Wildcat since Nicole Ohlde attempted 196 free throws in the 2003-04 season.

The winner of the Kansas State-Wichita State game will play the winner of the Wyoming-Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi matchup on either March 18, 19, 20 or 21 at a site to be determined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678737961804.png" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://kstatesports.com">kstatesports.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://kstatesports.com">kstatesports.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State SportsMANHATTAN –&nbsp;For the seventh time in the last nine seasons, Kansas State women’s basketball will make a postseason appearance as the Wildcats have accepted a bid to play in the 2023 Postseason WNIT and will host Wichita State in the first round on Thursday at 6 p.m.Tickets for K-State’s first round matchup with Wichita State are available now, by calling the K-State Athletic Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS, visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by stopping by the K-State Athletic Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum. Tickets are priced at $15 for chair backs, $10 for adult general admission and $5 for youth and senior citizens. All K-State students will receive free entry by showing a valid K-State ID at the door.This will be K-State’s seventh appearance in the Postseason WNIT and the first since reaching the round of 16 in the 2018 WNIT. With K-State’s bid into the Postseason WNIT, the Wildcats are one of nine Big 12 schools to earn a women’s basketball postseason appearance in the 2022-23 season (six NCAA; three in WNIT).The Wildcats are 16-5 in its previous six WNIT Tournament appearances in 1999, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2018. The Wildcats captured the 2006 WNIT title for the first postseason title in school history in front of a sell-out crowd of 13,340 fans.K-State (17-16, 5-13 Big 12) will be opposed by the Shockers (18-14, 6-10 American) on Thursday in Bramlage Coliseum. K-State and Wichita State will meet for the 50th time and the first time since Dec. 12, 2014. This will be the third postseason meeting between the schools and the first since March 2, 1981. The Wildcats are 52-13 all-time against teams from the American Athletic Conference, with the last meeting against an AAC program coming on December 4, 2022 against Houston, a 73-59 K-State win.Wichita State, making the program’s fifth WNIT appearance and first since 2012, is led by senior forwards Jane Asinde and Trajata Colbert. Asinde, a 2023 All-Conference Third Team selection, is averaging 13.2 points per game, 10.0 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks per game this season. Colbert, also a 2023 All-Conference recipient, is averaging 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds.The Wildcats have been paced during the 2022-23 season by All-Big 12 First Team selection Gabby Gregory and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recipient, Serena Sundell. Gregory and Sundell are the 10th&nbsp;tandem in program history to combine for 1,000 or more points in a season, as the duo have registered 1,050 points this season.In the 2022-23 season, Gregory established career season-highs in every statistical category including: scoring (595; 18.76 ppg), field goals made and attempted (185-of-459), three-point field goals made and attempted (74-of-238), free throws made and attempted (151-of-179), rebounding (174; 5.4 rpg), assists (62; 1.9 apg) and steals (23; 0.7 spg).The product of Tulsa, Oklahoma, ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring (18.6 ppg), third in free throw percentage (.844), sixth for minutes played per game (34.42), seventh in field goal percentage (.403) and 3-point field goals made per game (2.31), 15th&nbsp;in rebounding (5.4 rpg). She also is second in the Big 12 with 18 games of 20 or more points.Gregory is one of six players in the nation averaging 18 or more points, five or more rebounds and two or more 3-point field goals made per game. She is the first player in K-State history and one of four in the nation with 575 or more points, 150 or more made free throws and 70 or more connections from beyond the arc.She ranks second in school history for free throws made in a season (151) and has set the school record for free throws made by a senior in a season. She is seventh in school history for free throws attempted in a season (179).Sundell expanded upon her debut season in 2021-22 with an exemplary 2022-23 campaign, as she has carded career season-highs in a number of categories including: scoring (455; 13.8 ppg), field goals made (144), field goal percentage (.486), free throws made and attempted (148-of-188), rebounding (163; 4.9 rpg), blocks (26; 0.8 bpg) and steals (61; 1.8 spg). Sundell’s 168 assists this season ranks second in school history in a sophomore season.The native of Maryville, Missouri, ranks 12th&nbsp;in scoring in the Big 12, fourth in assists (5.10 apg), fifth in steals, eighth in assist/turnover percentage (1.51), ), 10th&nbsp;in blocks per game (0.79 bpg), 10th&nbsp;in minutes played per game (33.23) and 12th&nbsp;in free throw percentage (.787).With her two-season total of 806 points and 344 assists, Sundell is the first Wildcat in program history to register 800 or more points and 325 or more assists by the conclusion of their sophomore season.Sundell’s career assist total of 344 ranks 12th&nbsp;on the K-State career assists list. She has led K-State in assists in 53 of her 66 career games.Sundell ranks third in school history for free throws made in a season with 148. Sundell’s 188 free throw attempts ranks fourth in school history for a single season and the most by a guard in program history. Her 188 free throw attempts are the most by a Wildcat since Nicole Ohlde attempted 196 free throws in the 2003-04 season.The winner of the Kansas State-Wichita State game will play the winner of the Wyoming-Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi matchup on either March 18, 19, 20 or 21 at a site to be determined.

K-State women to face Wichita State in 2023 postseason WNIT

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jawaan Taylor has agreed to an $80 million, 
four-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs to replace Orlando Brown 
Jr. as the blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes, a person with 
knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke 
to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract cannot 
become official until Wednesday, when the NFL's new year officially 
starts and free agents can begin signing contracts.

The 
25-year-old Taylor started all 66 games he's played in since entering 
the league as a second-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2019 draft. 
While he primarily held down the right side of the line in Jacksonville,
 the expectation is that — much as Brown did when he arrived from 
Baltimore — Taylor will switch to the left side in Kansas City.

The
 Chiefs used the franchise tag on Brown a year ago, when they could not 
agree to a long-term deal with his new representative. He wound up 
playing the season for $16.7 million under terms of the tag, helping the
 Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl, and the sides again worked on
 a long-term deal.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expressed some optimism in a contract at the NFL scouting combine.

Yet
 it quickly became evident that the sides were still far from a middle 
ground, and the price tag to put Brown on the franchise tag for a second
 year would have cost about $20 million. So the Chiefs, who are expected
 to lose right tackle Andrew Wylie in free agency, opted to move quickly
 on Taylor to fill the left tackle spot.

He gave up a 
league-leading 40 sacks from 2019 to 2021, but he experienced a breakout
 year protecting Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville last season. He allowed
 only six sacks and had one of the league's lowest pressure rates among 
tackles.

The Chiefs still would still have a hole at right tackle,
 but Lucas Niang could fill that role after dealing with a litany of 
injuries, and Veach has been successful in finding quailty offensive 
linemen in the NFL draft.

That includes center Creed Humphy and 
right guard Trey Smith, both of them draft picks two years ago, who 
along with left guard Joe Thuney have formed one of the most durable and
 successful interior lines in the league.

The Chiefs could be busy in free agency as they retool for a Super Bowl defense.

They're
 poised to lose wide receiers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and 
Justin Watson, though there is mutual interest in bringing 
Smith-Schuster back after a successful season in Kansas City. The Chiefs
 also must find a replacement for veteran defensive end Frank Clark, 
whom they released to create some salary cap relief, and safety Juan 
Thornhill, who may have played himself into a longer-term deal than the 
Chiefs are willing to offer.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jawaan Taylor has agreed to an $80 million, 
four-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs to replace Orlando Brown 
Jr. as the blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes, a person with 
knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke 
to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract cannot 
become official until Wednesday, when the NFL's new year officially 
starts and free agents can begin signing contracts.The 
25-year-old Taylor started all 66 games he's played in since entering 
the league as a second-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2019 draft. 
While he primarily held down the right side of the line in Jacksonville,
 the expectation is that — much as Brown did when he arrived from 
Baltimore — Taylor will switch to the left side in Kansas City.The
 Chiefs used the franchise tag on Brown a year ago, when they could not 
agree to a long-term deal with his new representative. He wound up 
playing the season for $16.7 million under terms of the tag, helping the
 Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl, and the sides again worked on
 a long-term deal.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expressed some optimism in a contract at the NFL scouting combine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665965315482.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Yet
 it quickly became evident that the sides were still far from a middle 
ground, and the price tag to put Brown on the franchise tag for a second
 year would have cost about $20 million. So the Chiefs, who are expected
 to lose right tackle Andrew Wylie in free agency, opted to move quickly
 on Taylor to fill the left tackle spot.He gave up a 
league-leading 40 sacks from 2019 to 2021, but he experienced a breakout
 year protecting Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville last season. He allowed
 only six sacks and had one of the league's lowest pressure rates among 
tackles.The Chiefs still would still have a hole at right tackle,
 but Lucas Niang could fill that role after dealing with a litany of 
injuries, and Veach has been successful in finding quailty offensive 
linemen in the NFL draft.That includes center Creed Humphy and 
right guard Trey Smith, both of them draft picks two years ago, who 
along with left guard Joe Thuney have formed one of the most durable and
 successful interior lines in the league.The Chiefs could be busy in free agency as they retool for a Super Bowl defense.They're
 poised to lose wide receiers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and 
Justin Watson, though there is mutual interest in bringing 
Smith-Schuster back after a successful season in Kansas City. The Chiefs
 also must find a replacement for veteran defensive end Frank Clark, 
whom they released to create some salary cap relief, and safety Juan 
Thornhill, who may have played himself into a longer-term deal than the 
Chiefs are willing to offer.

AP source: Chiefs agree with OT Taylor on 4-year, $80M deal

NEW YORK, New York-The blockbuster trade that would send future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets is reportedly a “done” deal, according to Trey Wingo.

Wingo&nbsp;<a href="https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/07/report-packers-qb-aaron-rodgers-talks-with-jets-is-open-to-playing-in-new-york/">first reported</a>&nbsp;the conversations taking place between Rodgers and the Jets last week.

Appearing live on NFL Network following the report, insider Ian Rapoport said a deal is “not done” and “nothing has happened,” refuting Wingo’s report. Colleague Mike Garafolo’s reporting echoed Rapoport’s during the same NFL Network segment.

A completed trade between the Jets and Packers ending Rodgers’ 18-year run in Green Bay would mirror the trade that once ended Brett Favre’s career with the franchise in 2008.

It’s unclear what compensation would be coming to the Packers or how the two teams adjusted Rodgers’ contract to make it all work.

A trade of Rodgers would clear the path for Jordan Love to be the Packers’ new starting quarterback in 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678736437138.png" alt="Rogers via Packers Wire" />
 <figcaption>Rogers via Packers Wire</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK, New York-The blockbuster trade that would send future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets is reportedly a “done” deal, according to Trey Wingo.Wingo&nbsp;<a href="https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/07/report-packers-qb-aaron-rodgers-talks-with-jets-is-open-to-playing-in-new-york/">first reported</a>&nbsp;the conversations taking place between Rodgers and the Jets last week.But Wingo is out there on his own.Appearing live on NFL Network following the report, insider Ian Rapoport said a deal is “not done” and “nothing has happened,” refuting Wingo’s report. Colleague Mike Garafolo’s reporting echoed Rapoport’s during the same NFL Network segment.The wait continues.A completed trade between the Jets and Packers ending Rodgers’ 18-year run in Green Bay would mirror the trade that once ended Brett Favre’s career with the franchise in 2008.It’s unclear what compensation would be coming to the Packers or how the two teams adjusted Rodgers’ contract to make it all work.A trade of Rodgers would clear the path for Jordan Love to be the Packers’ new starting quarterback in 2023.

🏈 NFL: Conflicting reports on completed trade sending Aaron Rodgers to Jets

The&nbsp;Women’s NCAA Tournament&nbsp;isn’t the only show in town for women’s basketball this March. The Postseason WNIT is also on tap in 2023.

Like the NIT counterpart, the WNIT offers a chance for those teams who weren’t selected to the NCAA Tournament to shine.

KU, K-State and Wichita State were all picked to play in the 2023 Women's NIT.

The field includes 64 teams with 32 automatic qualifiers representing each conference’s next-highest finisher behind those selected for&nbsp;the NCAA Tournament.

Automatic Qualifiers (32 – * denotes regular season champion/co-champion)

CBS Sports will broadcast the WNIT championship game once again this year. Fans can head over the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbs-sports-network" target="_blank">CBSSports.com to watch the network live</a>, but they will need a login from a satellite or television service provider.

Those who have cut the cord can sign up for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/collegebasketball/?irad=367782&amp;irmp=374356&amp;subId1=FSDotComLiveDrops" target="_blank">fuboTV’s seven-day free trial</a>&nbsp;to watch via that service.

The broadcast plan for the other games in the tournament has not been officially announced.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678706439686.png" alt="WNIT_" />
 <figcaption>WNIT_</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;Women’s NCAA Tournament&nbsp;isn’t the only show in town for women’s basketball this March. The Postseason WNIT is also on tap in 2023.Like the NIT counterpart, the WNIT offers a chance for those teams who weren’t selected to the NCAA Tournament to shine.KU, K-State and Wichita State were all picked to play in the 2023 Women's NIT.The field includes 64 teams with 32 automatic qualifiers representing each conference’s next-highest finisher behind those selected for&nbsp;the NCAA Tournament.<h2>WNIT schedule</h2><ul>
 <li>First round: Mar. 15-17</li><li>Second round: Mar. 18-21</li><li>Third round: Mar. 22-24</li><li>Quarterfinals: Mar. 25-27</li><li>Semifinals: Mar. 28-29 in Las Vegas</li><li>Championship: Apr. 1 at 5:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network</li>
 </ul><h2>Teams participating in the 2023 WNIT</h2>Automatic Qualifiers (32 – * denotes regular season champion/co-champion)<ul>
 <li>Arkansas (21-12) – Southeastern</li><li>*Boston (24-8) — Patriot</li><li>Bowling Green (27-6) – Mid-American</li><li>*Columbia (23-5) – Ivy</li><li>*Fairleigh Dickinson (24-7) — Northeast</li><li>*Green Bay (27-5) – Horizon</li><li>High Point (17-14) – Big South</li><li>*Illinois State (24-8) – Missouri Valley</li><li>*Jackson State (21-9) – Southwestern Athletic</li><li>Kansas (19-11) – Big 12</li><li>Liberty (24-8) — Atlantic Sun</li><li>*Little Rock (21-10) – Ohio Valley</li><li>Memphis (20-10) – American Athletic</li><li>Morgan State (17-11) — Mid-Eastern Athletic</li><li>Nebraska (16-14) – Big Ten</li><li>Niagara (18-12) – Metro Atlantic Athletic</li><li>North Dakota State (18-11) – Summit</li><li>*Northern Arizona (21-13) – Big Sky</li><li>San Diego (17-13) – West Coast</li><li>Seton Hall (18-14) – Big East</li><li>*Stephen F. Austin (26-6) — Western Athletic</li><li>Syracuse (18-12) – Atlantic Coast</li><li>*Texas A&amp;M Corpus Christi (19-11) – Southland</li><li>Texas State (23-9) – Sun Belt</li><li>*Towson (21-11) — Colonial Athletic</li><li>*UAlbany (22-11) – America East</li><li>*UC-Irvine (24-6) – Big West</li><li>*UMass (26-6) – Atlantic 10</li><li>Washington (15-14) – Pac 12</li><li>Western Kentucky (19-13) — Conference USA</li><li>*Wofford (22-9) – Southern</li><li>Wyoming (22-10) – Mountain West</li>
 </ul>At Large (32)<ul>
 <li>Auburn (15-14) – Southeastern</li><li>Ball State (25-8) – Mid-American</li><li>*Belmont (23-11) – Missouri Valley</li><li>BYU (16-16) – West Coast</li><li>Clemson (17-15) – Atlantic Coast</li><li>Colorado State (20-11) – Mountain West</li><li>Drexel (21-9) – Colonial Athletic</li><li>Florida (16-14) – Southeastern</li><li>Fordham (18-12) – Atlantic 10</li><li>Harvard (17-11) – Ivy</li><li>Kansas State (17-16) – Big 12</li><li>Kent State (21-10) – Mid-American</li><li>Long Beach State (23-9) – Big West</li><li>Louisiana Tech (19-12) – Conference USA</li><li>Missouri (17-13) – Southeastern</li><li>Missouri State (20-11) – Missouri Valley</li><li>New Mexico (20-12) – Mountain West</li><li>Northern Iowa (22-9) – Missouri Valley</li><li>Oregon (17-14) – Pac 12</li><li>Penn (17-11) – Ivy</li><li>*Rhode Island (24-6) – Atlantic 10</li><li>Rice (22-8) – Conference USA</li><li>Richmond (20-10) – Atlantic 10</li><li>Saint Joseph’s (20-10) – Atlantic 10</li><li>San Diego State (23-10) – Mountain West</li><li>San Francisco (19-12) – West Coast</li><li>SMU (16-12) – American</li><li>Texas Tech (18-14) – Big 12</li><li>Tulane (18-13) – American</li><li>UTEP (20-11) – Conference USA</li><li>Wake Forest (16-16) – Atlantic Coast</li><li>Wichita State (18-14) – American Athletic</li>
 </ul><h2>How to watch the WNIT</h2>CBS Sports will broadcast the WNIT championship game once again this year. Fans can head over the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbs-sports-network" target="_blank">CBSSports.com to watch the network live</a>, but they will need a login from a satellite or television service provider.Those who have cut the cord can sign up for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/collegebasketball/?irad=367782&amp;irmp=374356&amp;subId1=FSDotComLiveDrops" target="_blank">fuboTV’s seven-day free trial</a>&nbsp;to watch via that service.The broadcast plan for the other games in the tournament has not been officially announced.

🏀 WNIT announced; Kansas, K-State, Wichita State picked to play

&nbsp; MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State was rewarded for a successful season on Sunday night, as the Wildcats earned their 32nd overall bid to the NCAA Tournament, including the first under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>.

No. 12/12 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) was selected as the No. 3 seed in the East Regional and will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to play No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) in the first round on Friday, March 17 at the Greensboro Coliseum. The winner will advance to play the winner of the No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11, 12-6 SEC) and No. 11 seed Providence (21-11, 13-7 BIG EAST) on Sunday, March 19. K-State and Montana State will tip off at 8:40 p.m., CT (9:40 p.m., ET) on CBS with&nbsp;Ian Eagle,&nbsp;Jim Spanarkel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Evan Washburn&nbsp;on the call. It will be proceeded by the Kentucky-Providence game, which is set for 6:10 p.m., CT (7:10 p.m., CT), also on CBS. Public requests for NCAA Tournament tickets are available until midnight (12 a.m., CT) tonight (Sunday, March 12). Please&nbsp;<a href="https://k-st.at/NCAA23FIRST">click here</a>&nbsp;to request tickets exclusively within the K-State allotment. Tickets are priced at $66 (upper level) and $80 (lower level). K-State was the No. 11 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, including third among the four No. 3 seeds (trailing Baylor and Gonzaga). The No. 3 seed is the second highest by a Wildcat team since seeding began in 1979 and the highest since the 2010 team was selected as a No. 2 seed. The Wildcats will be joined at the venue by No. 3 seed Xavier (25-9), No. 6 seed Iowa State (19-13), No. 14 Kennesaw State (26-8) and the winner of the First Four matchup between No. 11 seeds Mississippi State (21-12) and Pittsburgh (22-11) of the Midwest Regional. The top seed in the East Regional are No. 1 seed Purdue (29-5), No. 2 seed Marquette (28-6), No. 3 seed K-State, No. 4 seed Tennessee (23-10), No. 5 seed Duke (26-8), No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11) and No. 7 seed Michigan State (19-12). K-State is making its 39th postseason appearance, which includes 32 in the NCAA Tournament and seven in the Postseason NIT. The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the last 16 seasons, including the first time since 2019. The program has now advanced to the postseason 12 times in the last 17 seasons (10 trips to NCAA Tournament and two to the NIT). The 32 overall bids rank 22nd nationally, including fourth among Big 12 schools (Kansas [51], Texas [37] and Oklahoma [33]). In its last NCAA appearance, the No. 4 seed K-State lost to No. 13 seed UC Irvine, 70-64, in the first round of the NCAA South Regional at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678666549901.jpeg" alt="The Kansas State basketball team watches Selection Sunday. (Kansas State Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas State basketball team watches Selection Sunday. (Kansas State Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State Athletics&nbsp; MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State was rewarded for a successful season on Sunday night, as the Wildcats earned their 32nd overall bid to the NCAA Tournament, including the first under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>.No. 12/12 K-State (23-9, 11-7 Big 12) was selected as the No. 3 seed in the East Regional and will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to play No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky) in the first round on Friday, March 17 at the Greensboro Coliseum. The winner will advance to play the winner of the No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11, 12-6 SEC) and No. 11 seed Providence (21-11, 13-7 BIG EAST) on Sunday, March 19. K-State and Montana State will tip off at 8:40 p.m., CT (9:40 p.m., ET) on CBS with&nbsp;Ian Eagle,&nbsp;Jim Spanarkel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Evan Washburn&nbsp;on the call. It will be proceeded by the Kentucky-Providence game, which is set for 6:10 p.m., CT (7:10 p.m., CT), also on CBS. Public requests for NCAA Tournament tickets are available until midnight (12 a.m., CT) tonight (Sunday, March 12). Please&nbsp;<a href="https://k-st.at/NCAA23FIRST">click here</a>&nbsp;to request tickets exclusively within the K-State allotment. Tickets are priced at $66 (upper level) and $80 (lower level). K-State was the No. 11 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, including third among the four No. 3 seeds (trailing Baylor and Gonzaga). The No. 3 seed is the second highest by a Wildcat team since seeding began in 1979 and the highest since the 2010 team was selected as a No. 2 seed. The Wildcats will be joined at the venue by No. 3 seed Xavier (25-9), No. 6 seed Iowa State (19-13), No. 14 Kennesaw State (26-8) and the winner of the First Four matchup between No. 11 seeds Mississippi State (21-12) and Pittsburgh (22-11) of the Midwest Regional. The top seed in the East Regional are No. 1 seed Purdue (29-5), No. 2 seed Marquette (28-6), No. 3 seed K-State, No. 4 seed Tennessee (23-10), No. 5 seed Duke (26-8), No. 6 seed Kentucky (21-11) and No. 7 seed Michigan State (19-12). K-State is making its 39th postseason appearance, which includes 32 in the NCAA Tournament and seven in the Postseason NIT. The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the last 16 seasons, including the first time since 2019. The program has now advanced to the postseason 12 times in the last 17 seasons (10 trips to NCAA Tournament and two to the NIT). The 32 overall bids rank 22nd nationally, including fourth among Big 12 schools (Kansas [51], Texas [37] and Oklahoma [33]). In its last NCAA appearance, the No. 4 seed K-State lost to No. 13 seed UC Irvine, 70-64, in the first round of the NCAA South Regional at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Kansas State earns No. 3 seed in East Region, opens with Montana State

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer

Kansas is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region&nbsp;and will have coach Bill Self back on the sideline.

Self missed the Big 12 Tournament after undergoing a heart procedure, but the school announced Sunday&nbsp;he will return to lead the third-ranked Jayhawks against Howard in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678664612103.jpeg" alt="The Kansas basketball team watches selection Sunday. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas basketball team watches selection Sunday. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball WriterKansas is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region&nbsp;and will have coach Bill Self back on the sideline.Self missed the Big 12 Tournament after undergoing a heart procedure, but the school announced Sunday&nbsp;he will return to lead the third-ranked Jayhawks against Howard in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday.Kansas (27-7) won its first two games at the Big 12 Tournament without Self before losing 76-56 to NO. 7 Texas&nbsp;in the title game.The Jayhawks appeared as though they would slip to a No. 2 seed when top-ranked Houston got the top spot in the Midwest, but the NCAA selection committee still made them the No. 1 in a West Region that ends in Las Vegas on March 23-25.Kansas faces a difficult road in its bid to become college basketball's first repeat champion since Florida in 2006-07.The stacked West Region includes No. 2 UCLA, No. 9 Gonzaga, No. 11 UConn, No. 16 Saint Mary's and No. 22 TCU.Get by Howard, which is in its first NCAA Tournament since 1992, and the Jayhawks will get a stiff test in the second round against Arkansas or Illinois.