WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;— The Wichita Sports Commission announced on Friday morning that HutchCC head football coach Drew Dallas has been named the 2023 Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year.

This marks the second time in Dallas' three years as the Blue Dragons' head coach that he has been honored with this award.

Dallas led the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA national championship game in December, marking the second time in three years that HutchCC has played for a national title. The Blue Dragons finished the 2022 season with an 11-1 record, and it's only loss to Iowa Western in the title game in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dallas joined the HutchCC staff in 2019 as an assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and tight ends coach. The Blue Dragons went 10-2 that season and won the Salt City Bowl at Gowans Stadium. He became the 18th head coach in program history when he was promoted to the position on December 31, 2019.&nbsp;

In Dallas' three seasons as head coach, he has led the Blue Dragons to a record of 28-3 with two KJCCC titles, a KJCCC team championship, one national title and one runner-up finish.&nbsp;

The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission (dba Wichita Sports Commission) was created in 1997 by a large committee of leaders in the community that wanted&nbsp;an organization to enhance the quality of life through sports events and activities.

Dallas will be honored with the award at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet held on Thursday, June 29 in Wichita.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

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 </figure>WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;— The Wichita Sports Commission announced on Friday morning that HutchCC head football coach Drew Dallas has been named the 2023 Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year.This marks the second time in Dallas' three years as the Blue Dragons' head coach that he has been honored with this award.Dallas led the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA national championship game in December, marking the second time in three years that HutchCC has played for a national title. The Blue Dragons finished the 2022 season with an 11-1 record, and it's only loss to Iowa Western in the title game in Little Rock, Arkansas.Dallas joined the HutchCC staff in 2019 as an assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and tight ends coach. The Blue Dragons went 10-2 that season and won the Salt City Bowl at Gowans Stadium. He became the 18th head coach in program history when he was promoted to the position on December 31, 2019.&nbsp;In Dallas' three seasons as head coach, he has led the Blue Dragons to a record of 28-3 with two KJCCC titles, a KJCCC team championship, one national title and one runner-up finish.&nbsp;The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission (dba Wichita Sports Commission) was created in 1997 by a large committee of leaders in the community that wanted&nbsp;an organization to enhance the quality of life through sports events and activities.Dallas will be honored with the award at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet held on Thursday, June 29 in Wichita.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏈 Dallas named 2023 Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year by Wichita Sports Commission

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

BROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Senior forward&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson&nbsp;was selected with the No. 50 pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm&nbsp;on Thursday night&nbsp;(June 22) at the Barclays Center.

Johnson is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since&nbsp;Wes Iwundu&nbsp;(Orlando Magic) was taken in the 2017 NBA Draft with the 33rd&nbsp;selection. He is the first K-State player to be drafted since the Thunder moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. He is the second Wildcat to be drafted by the franchise and the first since&nbsp;Steve Honeycutt&nbsp;was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in 1969.

Overall, Johnson is the 51st&nbsp;Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s just a tremendous relief,” said Johnson. “I just trusted the process and knew that I would playing in the NBA.”

Johnson was joined in the Thunder draft class by Duke’s&nbsp;Dereck Lively III&nbsp;and Clemson’s&nbsp;Hunter Tyson.

Johnson is the 13th&nbsp;draft pick developed by head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;in his coaching career, joining former Baylor players&nbsp;Ekpe Udoh&nbsp;(2010),&nbsp;Perry Jones III&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Acy&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Miller(2012),&nbsp;Pierre Jackson&nbsp;(2013),&nbsp;Cory Jefferson(2014),&nbsp;Taurean Prince&nbsp;(2016),&nbsp;Davion Mitchell(2021),&nbsp;Jared Butler&nbsp;(20021),&nbsp;Jeremy Sochan(2022) and&nbsp;Kendall Brown&nbsp;(2022) as well as former Heritage Christian player&nbsp;Von Wafer&nbsp;(2005).

Johnson was one of four Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’&nbsp;Gradey Dick&nbsp;(No. 13, Toronto Raptors), Baylor’s&nbsp;Keyonte George&nbsp;(No. 16, Utah Jazz) and Kansas’&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;(No. 51, Brooklyn Nets).

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., was named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press and NABC after averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game en route to helping K-State to a 26-win season and the Elite Eight. A finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award, he was also honored as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and named to the All-Big 12 First Team.

Teammate and fellow All-American&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;did not get selected in the NBA Draft, but it was reported signed a 2-way contract with the Toronto Raptors late&nbsp;Thursday night.

<figure>
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 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsBROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Senior forward&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson&nbsp;was selected with the No. 50 pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm&nbsp;on Thursday night&nbsp;(June 22) at the Barclays Center.Johnson is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since&nbsp;Wes Iwundu&nbsp;(Orlando Magic) was taken in the 2017 NBA Draft with the 33rd&nbsp;selection. He is the first K-State player to be drafted since the Thunder moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. He is the second Wildcat to be drafted by the franchise and the first since&nbsp;Steve Honeycutt&nbsp;was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in 1969.Overall, Johnson is the 51st&nbsp;Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s just a tremendous relief,” said Johnson. “I just trusted the process and knew that I would playing in the NBA.”Johnson was joined in the Thunder draft class by Duke’s&nbsp;Dereck Lively III&nbsp;and Clemson’s&nbsp;Hunter Tyson.Johnson is the 13th&nbsp;draft pick developed by head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;in his coaching career, joining former Baylor players&nbsp;Ekpe Udoh&nbsp;(2010),&nbsp;Perry Jones III&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Acy&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Miller(2012),&nbsp;Pierre Jackson&nbsp;(2013),&nbsp;Cory Jefferson(2014),&nbsp;Taurean Prince&nbsp;(2016),&nbsp;Davion Mitchell(2021),&nbsp;Jared Butler&nbsp;(20021),&nbsp;Jeremy Sochan(2022) and&nbsp;Kendall Brown&nbsp;(2022) as well as former Heritage Christian player&nbsp;Von Wafer&nbsp;(2005).Johnson was one of four Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’&nbsp;Gradey Dick&nbsp;(No. 13, Toronto Raptors), Baylor’s&nbsp;Keyonte George&nbsp;(No. 16, Utah Jazz) and Kansas’&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;(No. 51, Brooklyn Nets).The 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., was named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press and NABC after averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game en route to helping K-State to a 26-win season and the Elite Eight. A finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award, he was also honored as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and named to the All-Big 12 First Team.Teammate and fellow All-American&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;did not get selected in the NBA Draft, but it was reported signed a 2-way contract with the Toronto Raptors late&nbsp;Thursday night.

🏀 MBB: Johnson goes 50th in NBA Draft

Courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge WICHITA, Kan. - Eight strikeouts delivered by starting pitcher David Festa and a three RBI game from Alex Isola were not enough to get the Surge to victory. The Arkansas Travelers came from behind and defeated the Wichita Wind Surge 10-7 with a ninth inning grand slam. Arkansas leads the series two games to one.

Isola improved his hit streak to nine games when he hit a clutch two out RBI that gave the Surge an early lead in the bottom of the first.

Over the next two innings the Surge added three more runs to their lead. In the second Brooks Lee hit a ground ball fielder’s choice that was able to score a runner. Aaron Sabato got an RBI single and Alerick Soularie was walked by Arkansas pitching with the bases loaded that forced another run to score in the bottom of the third.

The Travelers got on the board in the top of the fourth. Robbie Tenerowicz hit a two RBI single and Matt Scheffler drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.

Wichita added another two runs off an Isola two-run home run that was rocketed over the left center field wall.

Owen Griffith struggled in his AA debut with the Wind Surge when he came in to pitch in the top of the sixth. He walked the first batter he faced, hit the next with a pitch and then Isiah Gilliam hit a three-run home run that tied up the game. Griffith only faced the three batters and was pulled right before a long rain delay.

The game resumed, but the scoring did not continue until the bottom of the eighth. The Wind Surge were able to take the lead when Lee hit a sacrifice fly that was able to drive in a run from third base.

Tenerowicz hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth on a full count pitch from the second pitcher that made their Wind Surge debut in the game, Isaac Mattson who was credited with the loss.

Starting pitcher for the Surge, Festa, pitched five innings, gave up three runs on four hits and delivered eight strikeouts. Ethan Lindow was the starting pitcher for the Travelers and got through three innings, gave up four runs on five hits, and got two strike outs. A.J. Puckett earned the victory for the Travs.

The Wichita Wind Surge fall to 28-37 on the season and the first place Arkansas Travelers improve to 42-24.

NOTES: Yunior Severino extends his hitting streak to 12 games and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. extends his to 13 games in a row and is the longest active hit streak in the Texas League. Aaron Sabato has now reached base in 17 consecutive games. The Wind Surge released RHP Andrew Cabezas and signed RHP Issac Mattson. The game had a pair of rain delays that amounted to one hour and ten minutes.

BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1">Windsurge.com</a>, MiLB.tv and Ballys Live app.

UPCOMING: The Wind Surge play game four of the home series against the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 PM on a KAKE Takeover Fireworks Friday. RH Carlos Luna for the Surge will face RH Emerson Hancock for the Travelers.

<figure>
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 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge WICHITA, Kan. - Eight strikeouts delivered by starting pitcher David Festa and a three RBI game from Alex Isola were not enough to get the Surge to victory. The Arkansas Travelers came from behind and defeated the Wichita Wind Surge 10-7 with a ninth inning grand slam. Arkansas leads the series two games to one.Isola improved his hit streak to nine games when he hit a clutch two out RBI that gave the Surge an early lead in the bottom of the first.Over the next two innings the Surge added three more runs to their lead. In the second Brooks Lee hit a ground ball fielder’s choice that was able to score a runner. Aaron Sabato got an RBI single and Alerick Soularie was walked by Arkansas pitching with the bases loaded that forced another run to score in the bottom of the third.The Travelers got on the board in the top of the fourth. Robbie Tenerowicz hit a two RBI single and Matt Scheffler drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.Wichita added another two runs off an Isola two-run home run that was rocketed over the left center field wall.Owen Griffith struggled in his AA debut with the Wind Surge when he came in to pitch in the top of the sixth. He walked the first batter he faced, hit the next with a pitch and then Isiah Gilliam hit a three-run home run that tied up the game. Griffith only faced the three batters and was pulled right before a long rain delay.The game resumed, but the scoring did not continue until the bottom of the eighth. The Wind Surge were able to take the lead when Lee hit a sacrifice fly that was able to drive in a run from third base.Tenerowicz hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth on a full count pitch from the second pitcher that made their Wind Surge debut in the game, Isaac Mattson who was credited with the loss.Starting pitcher for the Surge, Festa, pitched five innings, gave up three runs on four hits and delivered eight strikeouts. Ethan Lindow was the starting pitcher for the Travelers and got through three innings, gave up four runs on five hits, and got two strike outs. A.J. Puckett earned the victory for the Travs.The Wichita Wind Surge fall to 28-37 on the season and the first place Arkansas Travelers improve to 42-24.NOTES: Yunior Severino extends his hitting streak to 12 games and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. extends his to 13 games in a row and is the longest active hit streak in the Texas League. Aaron Sabato has now reached base in 17 consecutive games. The Wind Surge released RHP Andrew Cabezas and signed RHP Issac Mattson. The game had a pair of rain delays that amounted to one hour and ten minutes.BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1">Windsurge.com</a>, MiLB.tv and Ballys Live app.UPCOMING: The Wind Surge play game four of the home series against the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 PM on a KAKE Takeover Fireworks Friday. RH Carlos Luna for the Surge will face RH Emerson Hancock for the Travelers.

⚾ Travelers rally in ninth to edge Wind Surge

OMAHA, Neb.—It took 11 innings, but LSU has done it. Tigers star Tommy White stepped up to the plate and crushed a two-run walk-off homer.&nbsp;

LSU beats No. 1 Wake Forest 2-0, and advances to the Men’s College World Series finals.&nbsp;

A pitching clinic from starters to the bullpen pushed this semifinals matchup into extra innings. The Tigers posted five hits while the Demon Deacons posted just three. Paul Skenes pitched eight innings for LSU and recorded nine strikeouts.&nbsp;

Before the 11th inning, the last hit was in the fifth.&nbsp;

LSU came out of the losers’ bracket all the way to the finals. Wake Forest beat the Tigers, but in the next two matchups, LSU caught them.&nbsp;

Now, LSU will face Florida in an all-SEC MCWS finals on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/game/6147540?utm_campaign=inline-superpage" target="_blank">Saturday, June 24 at 7 p.m. ET</a>.&nbsp;

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WALK-OFF TO THE &#39;SHIP!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> x 🎥 ESPN2 / <a href="https://twitter.com/LSUbaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LSUbaseball</a> <a href="https://t.co/POu7MUw5ZN">pic.twitter.com/POu7MUw5ZN</a>&mdash; NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAABaseball/status/1672063621948424192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>OMAHA, Neb.—It took 11 innings, but LSU has done it. Tigers star Tommy White stepped up to the plate and crushed a two-run walk-off homer.&nbsp;LSU beats No. 1 Wake Forest 2-0, and advances to the Men’s College World Series finals.&nbsp;A pitching clinic from starters to the bullpen pushed this semifinals matchup into extra innings. The Tigers posted five hits while the Demon Deacons posted just three. Paul Skenes pitched eight innings for LSU and recorded nine strikeouts.&nbsp;Before the 11th inning, the last hit was in the fifth.&nbsp;LSU came out of the losers’ bracket all the way to the finals. Wake Forest beat the Tigers, but in the next two matchups, LSU caught them.&nbsp;Now, LSU will face Florida in an all-SEC MCWS finals on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/game/6147540?utm_campaign=inline-superpage" target="_blank">Saturday, June 24 at 7 p.m. ET</a>.&nbsp;

⚾ LSU walks off against Wake Forest advancing to MCWS finals

BROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Kansas guard Gradey Dick and forward Jalen Wilson were among the 58 players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Thursday night.

Dick was the overall No. 13 choice of the Toronto Raptors, while Wilson was taken by the Brooklyn Nets and was the No. 51 selection.

“I was obviously very happy for Gradey,” Kansas coach Bill Self said while exiting Barclays Center. “We had heard somewhere between 10 and 14 probably and he goes 13. I think that is a very good fit for him and Toronto. Jalen didn’t get drafted where he hoped he would but the bottom line is it’s all about fits at that point, once you get into the second round. I know his representation feels like it’s a really good fit and Brooklyn was very excited to get him. I’m happy with that and feel like he will have a heck of a chance to be a part of their roster.”

Dick becomes the 19th lottery selection in Kansas history and the 13th in the Bill Self era, w hich. Began in 2003-04. The NBA lottery began in 1985 and recognizes the top 14 players chosen in the NBA Draft. With the selections of Dick and Wilson, KU now has 87 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 29 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 28 first-round selections and 42 total draft picks.

In one season at Kansas, Dick made a huge impact as he set the KU freshman record for three-point field goals made with 83. The Wichita, Kansas, native was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman and All-Newcomer teams as well as being an all-league second team selection. A three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, Dick was second on the team with a 14.1 scoring average, which ranked 12th in the Big 12, and his 5.1 rebounds per game were 15th in the league. Dick had seven games of 20 or more points during his season at KU.

In addition to his freshman-record 83 threes, Dick ranked on the KU freshman list in – points (4th at 507), scoring average (tied for 6th at 14.1), steals (7th with 52), field goals (5th with 174), field goals attempted (4th with 394), free throws made (tied for 9th with 79), free throw percentage (2nd at 85.4%), three point field goals attempted (2nd with 206), minutes played (2nd with 1,176), games played (tied for 9th with 36) and games started (tied for 2nd with 36).

Wilson, the 2023 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, was Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team honoree following the 2022-23 season. The unanimous 2023 Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson led the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, rebounds at 8.3 and double-doubles with 12. The Denton, Texas, forward posted three 30-point performances and had 22 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last seven contests. Wilson is the seventh player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, including the fourth Jayhawk to earn the distinction.

Wilson is just the 10th player in Kansas men’s basketball history to record 1,400-plus career points and 800-plus career rebounds and the first since Perry Ellis (2013-16). Wilson’s 1,475 points rank 27th on the KU career list and his 802 rebounds are 14th in school history. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.

KANSAS NBA DRAFT HISTORY Year – name (round/overall selection) 1948 – Otto Schnellbacher (Providence region) 1952 – Clyde Lovellette (1/10) 1953 – Dean Kelley (8/56), Gil Reich (11/32) 1954 – B.H. Born (3/22), Alan Kelley (7/56) 1957 – Maurice King (6/48) 1958 – Wilt Chamberlain (Territorial selection) 1959 – Ron Loneski (10/134) 1961 – Wayne Hightower (1/5), Bill Bridges (3/32) 1963 – Nolen Ellison (4/29) 1966 – Walt Wesley (1/6), Al Lopes (13/106) 1967 – Ron Franz (4/33) 1968 – Roger Bohnenstiel (9/120) 1969 – Jo Jo White (1/9), Dave Nash (4/48), Bruce Sloan (11/153) 1971 – Dave Robisch (3/44), Roger Brown (4/64), Pierre Russell (13/207) 1972 – Bud Stallworth (1/7) 1975 – Rick Suttle (7/110), Roger Morningstar (8/144) 1976 – Norm Cook (1/16) 1977 – Herb Nobles (6/124) 1978 – Ken Koenigs (5/99), John Douglas (6/118) 1979 – Paul Mokeski (2/42) 1981 – Darnell Valentine (1/16), Art Housey (3/47), John Crawford (7/160), Randolph Carroll (10/220) 1982 – Tony Guy (2/46), David Magley (2/28) 1984 – Carl Henry (4/80), Brian Martin (9/185) 1986 – Greg Drieling (2/26), Ron Kellogg (2/42), Calvin Thompson (4/71) 1988 – Danny Manning (1/1), Archie Marshall (3/75) 1990 – Kevin Pritchard (2/34) 1991 – Mark Randall (1/26) 1993 – Rex Walters (1/16), Adonis Jordan (2/42) 1994 – Darrin Hancock (2/38) 1995 – Greg Ostertag (1/28) 1997 – Scot Pollard (1/19), Jacque Vaughn (1/27) 1998 – Raef LaFrentz (1/3), Paul Pierce (1/10) 1999 – Ryan Robertson (2/45) 2001 – Eric Chenowith (2/42) 2002 – Drew Gooden (1/4) 2003 – Kirk Hinrich (1/7), Nick Collison (1/12) 2005 – Wayne Simien (1/29) 2007 – Julian Wright (1/13) 2008 – Brandon Rush (1/13), Darrell Arthur (1/27), Mario Chalmers (2/34), Darnell Jackson (2/52), Sasha Kaun (2/56) 2010 – Cole Aldrich (1/11), Xavier Henry (1/12) 2011 – Marcus Morris (1/13), Markieff Morris (1/14), Josh Selby (2/49) 2012 – Thomas Robinson (1/5), Tyshawn Taylor (2/41) 2013 – Ben McLemore (1/7), Jeff Withey (2/39) 2014 – Andrew Wiggins (1/1), Joel Embiid (1/3) 2015 – Kelly Oubre Jr. (1/15) 2016 – Cheick Diallo (2/33) 2017 – Josh Jackson (1/4), Frank Mason III (2/34) 2018 – Devonte’ Graham (2/34), Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (2/47) 2020 – Udoka Azubuike (1/27) 2022 – Ochai Agbaji (1/14), Christian Braun (1/21) 2023 – Gradey Dick (1/13), Jalen Wilson (2/51)

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 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsBROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Kansas guard Gradey Dick and forward Jalen Wilson were among the 58 players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Thursday night.Dick was the overall No. 13 choice of the Toronto Raptors, while Wilson was taken by the Brooklyn Nets and was the No. 51 selection.“I was obviously very happy for Gradey,” Kansas coach Bill Self said while exiting Barclays Center. “We had heard somewhere between 10 and 14 probably and he goes 13. I think that is a very good fit for him and Toronto. Jalen didn’t get drafted where he hoped he would but the bottom line is it’s all about fits at that point, once you get into the second round. I know his representation feels like it’s a really good fit and Brooklyn was very excited to get him. I’m happy with that and feel like he will have a heck of a chance to be a part of their roster.”Dick becomes the 19th lottery selection in Kansas history and the 13th in the Bill Self era, w hich. Began in 2003-04. The NBA lottery began in 1985 and recognizes the top 14 players chosen in the NBA Draft. With the selections of Dick and Wilson, KU now has 87 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 29 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 28 first-round selections and 42 total draft picks.In one season at Kansas, Dick made a huge impact as he set the KU freshman record for three-point field goals made with 83. The Wichita, Kansas, native was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman and All-Newcomer teams as well as being an all-league second team selection. A three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, Dick was second on the team with a 14.1 scoring average, which ranked 12th in the Big 12, and his 5.1 rebounds per game were 15th in the league. Dick had seven games of 20 or more points during his season at KU.In addition to his freshman-record 83 threes, Dick ranked on the KU freshman list in – points (4th at 507), scoring average (tied for 6th at 14.1), steals (7th with 52), field goals (5th with 174), field goals attempted (4th with 394), free throws made (tied for 9th with 79), free throw percentage (2nd at 85.4%), three point field goals attempted (2nd with 206), minutes played (2nd with 1,176), games played (tied for 9th with 36) and games started (tied for 2nd with 36).Wilson, the 2023 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, was Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team honoree following the 2022-23 season. The unanimous 2023 Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson led the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, rebounds at 8.3 and double-doubles with 12. The Denton, Texas, forward posted three 30-point performances and had 22 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last seven contests. Wilson is the seventh player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, including the fourth Jayhawk to earn the distinction.Wilson is just the 10th player in Kansas men’s basketball history to record 1,400-plus career points and 800-plus career rebounds and the first since Perry Ellis (2013-16). Wilson’s 1,475 points rank 27th on the KU career list and his 802 rebounds are 14th in school history. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.KANSAS NBA DRAFT HISTORY Year – name (round/overall selection) 1948 – Otto Schnellbacher (Providence region) 1952 – Clyde Lovellette (1/10) 1953 – Dean Kelley (8/56), Gil Reich (11/32) 1954 – B.H. Born (3/22), Alan Kelley (7/56) 1957 – Maurice King (6/48) 1958 – Wilt Chamberlain (Territorial selection) 1959 – Ron Loneski (10/134) 1961 – Wayne Hightower (1/5), Bill Bridges (3/32) 1963 – Nolen Ellison (4/29) 1966 – Walt Wesley (1/6), Al Lopes (13/106) 1967 – Ron Franz (4/33) 1968 – Roger Bohnenstiel (9/120) 1969 – Jo Jo White (1/9), Dave Nash (4/48), Bruce Sloan (11/153) 1971 – Dave Robisch (3/44), Roger Brown (4/64), Pierre Russell (13/207) 1972 – Bud Stallworth (1/7) 1975 – Rick Suttle (7/110), Roger Morningstar (8/144) 1976 – Norm Cook (1/16) 1977 – Herb Nobles (6/124) 1978 – Ken Koenigs (5/99), John Douglas (6/118) 1979 – Paul Mokeski (2/42) 1981 – Darnell Valentine (1/16), Art Housey (3/47), John Crawford (7/160), Randolph Carroll (10/220) 1982 – Tony Guy (2/46), David Magley (2/28) 1984 – Carl Henry (4/80), Brian Martin (9/185) 1986 – Greg Drieling (2/26), Ron Kellogg (2/42), Calvin Thompson (4/71) 1988 – Danny Manning (1/1), Archie Marshall (3/75) 1990 – Kevin Pritchard (2/34) 1991 – Mark Randall (1/26) 1993 – Rex Walters (1/16), Adonis Jordan (2/42) 1994 – Darrin Hancock (2/38) 1995 – Greg Ostertag (1/28) 1997 – Scot Pollard (1/19), Jacque Vaughn (1/27) 1998 – Raef LaFrentz (1/3), Paul Pierce (1/10) 1999 – Ryan Robertson (2/45) 2001 – Eric Chenowith (2/42) 2002 – Drew Gooden (1/4) 2003 – Kirk Hinrich (1/7), Nick Collison (1/12) 2005 – Wayne Simien (1/29) 2007 – Julian Wright (1/13) 2008 – Brandon Rush (1/13), Darrell Arthur (1/27), Mario Chalmers (2/34), Darnell Jackson (2/52), Sasha Kaun (2/56) 2010 – Cole Aldrich (1/11), Xavier Henry (1/12) 2011 – Marcus Morris (1/13), Markieff Morris (1/14), Josh Selby (2/49) 2012 – Thomas Robinson (1/5), Tyshawn Taylor (2/41) 2013 – Ben McLemore (1/7), Jeff Withey (2/39) 2014 – Andrew Wiggins (1/1), Joel Embiid (1/3) 2015 – Kelly Oubre Jr. (1/15) 2016 – Cheick Diallo (2/33) 2017 – Josh Jackson (1/4), Frank Mason III (2/34) 2018 – Devonte’ Graham (2/34), Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (2/47) 2020 – Udoka Azubuike (1/27) 2022 – Ochai Agbaji (1/14), Christian Braun (1/21) 2023 – Gradey Dick (1/13), Jalen Wilson (2/51)<a href="https://wmt.digital/" target="_blank">Powered by</a>

🏀 MBB: Kansas duo selected in NBA Draft

By&nbsp;MARK DIDTLER Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays' biggest loss came long before a rare defeat.

The major league-leading Rays lost ace Shane McClanahan to mid-back tightness in a 6-5 loss to the lowly Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said there were no plans for additional tests.

"I don't want to speculate, it's still pretty early, but the leading notion is we don't think it's anything severe," McClanahan said, "Just maybe more of a precautionary move just to maybe limit whatever it is."

McClanahan was looking to become the majors' first 12-game winner of the year before leaving with two outs in the fourth. The left-hander, 11-1 this season, gave up two runs, four hits and two walks in a 66-pitch outing.

"It was something he felt before his last start and he kind of managed it really well," Cash said. "The way the ball was coming out (tonight) I think he was favoring it a little bit more. In those moments we need to err on the side of caution."

Maikel Garcia drew a walk from Pete Fairbanks (0-2) to start the ninth, then stole second and third. After Fairbanks got a pair of strikeouts, Garcia scored on MJ Melendez's infield single down the first-base line to put the Royals ahead 6-5. The Royals stole seven bases overall.

Aroldis Chapman (3-2) struck out the side during a perfect eighth, topping out at 102.6 mph. Scott Barlow got three outs for his ninth save.

Kansas City took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on Drew Waters' solo homer and his two-run eighth-inning single off Jason Adam tied it at 5.

"(My) smile comes just from beating the Tampa Bay Rays," said Waters, who entered hitting .167. "Everyone knows the type team they are, and the quality that they bring every night top to bottom. As a team I thought we played really well, and that's what we're capable of."

Francisco Mejía hit a homer leading the seventh and Randy Arozarena had a two-run single as Tampa Bay went up 5-3. Arozarena also had an RBI single during a two-run first and has 53 RBIs.

The Rays (52-26) dropped to 32-9 at home. Kansas City has the second-worst record in the majors at 21-54.

Cash announced before the game that shortstop Wander Franco would not play at least Thursday and Friday games due to how he has handled frustrating situations this season.

Former Tampa Bay coach Matt Quatraro faced his old team for the first time as the Royals manager.

Royals LHP Austin Cox entered with one out in the second and didn't allow a hit to his first 11 batters, extening his run of not giving one up to begin his career to 39. The stretch, ended by Yandy Díaz's single in the fifth, is the longest since 1961, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He recorded 34 outs, walked four and one batter reached on error.

Family and friends made the trip from Georgia for the game.

Royals: LHP Amir Garrett (left elbow) walked three and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning in his first game with Triple-A Omaha. ... LHP Ryan Yarbrough (facial fractures), who was hit by a 106.2 mph ball off the bat of Oakland's Ryan Noda on May 7, will make his second rehab start Saturday for Omaha. ... 1B Vinnie Pasquantino had right shoulder labrum surgery Wednesday and is expected to be ready for 2023.

Rays: 2B Brandon Lowe (herniated disc) will hit against relievers Andrew Kittredge (Tommy John surgery) and Calvin Faucher (right elbow) on Friday. ... RF Luke Raley was hit on the hand by a pitch in the first but stayed in the game. Postgame X-rays were negative but he will undergo further tests Friday.

Rays RHP Zach Eflin (8-3) was set to face RHP Zack Greinke (1-7) on Friday night.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687515742613.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals pitcher Austin Cox delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals pitcher Austin Cox delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 22, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;MARK DIDTLER Associated PressST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays' biggest loss came long before a rare defeat.The major league-leading Rays lost ace Shane McClanahan to mid-back tightness in a 6-5 loss to the lowly Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said there were no plans for additional tests."I don't want to speculate, it's still pretty early, but the leading notion is we don't think it's anything severe," McClanahan said, "Just maybe more of a precautionary move just to maybe limit whatever it is."McClanahan was looking to become the majors' first 12-game winner of the year before leaving with two outs in the fourth. The left-hander, 11-1 this season, gave up two runs, four hits and two walks in a 66-pitch outing."It was something he felt before his last start and he kind of managed it really well," Cash said. "The way the ball was coming out (tonight) I think he was favoring it a little bit more. In those moments we need to err on the side of caution."Maikel Garcia drew a walk from Pete Fairbanks (0-2) to start the ninth, then stole second and third. After Fairbanks got a pair of strikeouts, Garcia scored on MJ Melendez's infield single down the first-base line to put the Royals ahead 6-5. The Royals stole seven bases overall.Aroldis Chapman (3-2) struck out the side during a perfect eighth, topping out at 102.6 mph. Scott Barlow got three outs for his ninth save.Kansas City took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on Drew Waters' solo homer and his two-run eighth-inning single off Jason Adam tied it at 5."(My) smile comes just from beating the Tampa Bay Rays," said Waters, who entered hitting .167. "Everyone knows the type team they are, and the quality that they bring every night top to bottom. As a team I thought we played really well, and that's what we're capable of."Francisco Mejía hit a homer leading the seventh and Randy Arozarena had a two-run single as Tampa Bay went up 5-3. Arozarena also had an RBI single during a two-run first and has 53 RBIs.The Rays (52-26) dropped to 32-9 at home. Kansas City has the second-worst record in the majors at 21-54.Cash announced before the game that shortstop Wander Franco would not play at least Thursday and Friday games due to how he has handled frustrating situations this season.Former Tampa Bay coach Matt Quatraro faced his old team for the first time as the Royals manager.GREAT BEGINNINGRoyals LHP Austin Cox entered with one out in the second and didn't allow a hit to his first 11 batters, extening his run of not giving one up to begin his career to 39. The stretch, ended by Yandy Díaz's single in the fifth, is the longest since 1961, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He recorded 34 outs, walked four and one batter reached on error."It's awesome." Cox said.Family and friends made the trip from Georgia for the game.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: LHP Amir Garrett (left elbow) walked three and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning in his first game with Triple-A Omaha. ... LHP Ryan Yarbrough (facial fractures), who was hit by a 106.2 mph ball off the bat of Oakland's Ryan Noda on May 7, will make his second rehab start Saturday for Omaha. ... 1B Vinnie Pasquantino had right shoulder labrum surgery Wednesday and is expected to be ready for 2023.Rays: 2B Brandon Lowe (herniated disc) will hit against relievers Andrew Kittredge (Tommy John surgery) and Calvin Faucher (right elbow) on Friday. ... RF Luke Raley was hit on the hand by a pitch in the first but stayed in the game. Postgame X-rays were negative but he will undergo further tests Friday.UP NEXTRays RHP Zach Eflin (8-3) was set to face RHP Zack Greinke (1-7) on Friday night.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

⚾ Waters, Cox star in Royals' victory over MLB-best Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The major league-leading Tampa Bay Rays lost ace Shane McClanahan to mid-back tightness in a 6-5 loss to the lowly Kansas City Royals. McClanahan was looking to become the majors’ first 12-game winner of the year before leaving with two outs in the fourth. The left-hander, 11-1 this season, gave up two runs, four hits and two walks in a 66-pitch outing. Maikel Garcia drew a walk from Pete Fairbanks (0-2) to start the ninth, then stole second and third. After Fairbanks got a pair of strikeouts, Garcia scored on MJ Melendez’s infield single down the first-base line to put the Royals ahead 6-5. Aroldis Chapman (3-2) struck out the side in a perfect eighth, and Scott Barlow finished for his ninth save.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Tommy White hit Camden Minacci’s first pitch into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the 11th inning, giving LSU a 2-0 walk-off victory over No. 1 national seed Wake Forest and clinching a spot in the College World Series finals. The win sends the Tigers to the best-of-three CWS championship series against Florida beginning Saturday night. It will be a rematch of the 2017 All-SEC College World Series final the Gators won for their first national title. LSU became the first team to hand Wake Forest consecutive losses this season. The game was a classic pitcher's duel between LSU's Paul Skenes and Wake Forest's Rhett Lowder.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas native Gradey Dick brought a bit of home with him to the NBA draft. The guard from Wichita, Kansas, who played his lone college season at his home state school, wore a sparkly and bedazzled red coat Thursday night. Dick said it was his nod to Dorothy from the classic movie “Wizard of Oz.” Dick showed off his jacket on the red carpet coming into the Barclays Center. The 6-foot-8 sharp-shooter set a freshman record with 83 3-pointers at Kansas, and the Toronto Raptors selected him at No. 13 overall.

NEW YORK (AP) — Keyontae Johnson fought for his chance. Oklahoma City is giving him one. Johnson was taken in the second round of Thursday’s NBA draft, going to the Thunder with the 50th overall pick. That was one of the last of the draft; the final one was Chris Livingston, going to Milwaukee. Johnson starred at Kansas State this past season, but that’s just a tiny part of his story. During a game for Florida — his former school — against Florida State on Dec. 12, 2020, he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where he spent three days in a medically induced coma. He sat out the rest of that season and all of the next.

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, headed to San Antonio with enormous expectations to become basketball’s newest sensation. The selection of the 19-year-old from France that had been a foregone conclusion for months was announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Wembanyama arrives with far more height and hype than most No. 1 picks. Listed at 7-foot-4, he dominated his French league in his final season there, leading all players in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. Brandon Miller of Alabama was the No. 2 pick by the Charlotte Hornets and Scoot Henderson went third to the Portland Trail Blazers.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman says the 25-game suspension the NBA slapped guard Ja Morant with “was appropriate." The GM also said Thursday night after the NBA draft that it's up to Morant to change the behavior that led to two suspensions in four months. Kleiman is the first team official to publicly discuss Morant's situation and the NBA’s latest punishment of the two-time All-Star for flashing a gun on social media after the season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the latest suspension June 16 and made clear Morant must stop his “alarming” habit of flashing guns on social media.

CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Denny McCarthy came inches from shooting a 59, settling for a 10-under 60 for the lowest round of his PGA Tour career, and Rory McIlroy made his first ace on tour on a day of low numbers at the Travelers Championship. Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott also made runs at golf’s magic number but faltered late. Each shot 62 at the TPC River Highlands, where Jim Furyk set the PGA Tour record with a 58 in 2016. Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, finished with a 7-under 63. McCarthy started on the back nine. He had five birdies on his first six holes and five more coming in.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683366121627.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Friday Morning, June 23rd, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Friday Morning, June 23rd, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The major league-leading Tampa Bay Rays lost ace Shane McClanahan to mid-back tightness in a 6-5 loss to the lowly Kansas City Royals. McClanahan was looking to become the majors’ first 12-game winner of the year before leaving with two outs in the fourth. The left-hander, 11-1 this season, gave up two runs, four hits and two walks in a 66-pitch outing. Maikel Garcia drew a walk from Pete Fairbanks (0-2) to start the ninth, then stole second and third. After Fairbanks got a pair of strikeouts, Garcia scored on MJ Melendez’s infield single down the first-base line to put the Royals ahead 6-5. Aroldis Chapman (3-2) struck out the side in a perfect eighth, and Scott Barlow finished for his ninth save.OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Tommy White hit Camden Minacci’s first pitch into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the 11th inning, giving LSU a 2-0 walk-off victory over No. 1 national seed Wake Forest and clinching a spot in the College World Series finals. The win sends the Tigers to the best-of-three CWS championship series against Florida beginning Saturday night. It will be a rematch of the 2017 All-SEC College World Series final the Gators won for their first national title. LSU became the first team to hand Wake Forest consecutive losses this season. The game was a classic pitcher's duel between LSU's Paul Skenes and Wake Forest's Rhett Lowder.NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas native Gradey Dick brought a bit of home with him to the NBA draft. The guard from Wichita, Kansas, who played his lone college season at his home state school, wore a sparkly and bedazzled red coat Thursday night. Dick said it was his nod to Dorothy from the classic movie “Wizard of Oz.” Dick showed off his jacket on the red carpet coming into the Barclays Center. The 6-foot-8 sharp-shooter set a freshman record with 83 3-pointers at Kansas, and the Toronto Raptors selected him at No. 13 overall.NEW YORK (AP) — Keyontae Johnson fought for his chance. Oklahoma City is giving him one. Johnson was taken in the second round of Thursday’s NBA draft, going to the Thunder with the 50th overall pick. That was one of the last of the draft; the final one was Chris Livingston, going to Milwaukee. Johnson starred at Kansas State this past season, but that’s just a tiny part of his story. During a game for Florida — his former school — against Florida State on Dec. 12, 2020, he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where he spent three days in a medically induced coma. He sat out the rest of that season and all of the next.NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, headed to San Antonio with enormous expectations to become basketball’s newest sensation. The selection of the 19-year-old from France that had been a foregone conclusion for months was announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Wembanyama arrives with far more height and hype than most No. 1 picks. Listed at 7-foot-4, he dominated his French league in his final season there, leading all players in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. Brandon Miller of Alabama was the No. 2 pick by the Charlotte Hornets and Scoot Henderson went third to the Portland Trail Blazers.MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman says the 25-game suspension the NBA slapped guard Ja Morant with “was appropriate." The GM also said Thursday night after the NBA draft that it's up to Morant to change the behavior that led to two suspensions in four months. Kleiman is the first team official to publicly discuss Morant's situation and the NBA’s latest punishment of the two-time All-Star for flashing a gun on social media after the season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the latest suspension June 16 and made clear Morant must stop his “alarming” habit of flashing guns on social media.CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Denny McCarthy came inches from shooting a 59, settling for a 10-under 60 for the lowest round of his PGA Tour career, and Rory McIlroy made his first ace on tour on a day of low numbers at the Travelers Championship. Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott also made runs at golf’s magic number but faltered late. Each shot 62 at the TPC River Highlands, where Jim Furyk set the PGA Tour record with a 58 in 2016. Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, finished with a 7-under 63. McCarthy started on the back nine. He had five birdies on his first six holes and five more coming in.THURSDAY SCORESAMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Minnesota 6 Boston 0Final Cleveland 6 Oakland 1Final Kansas City 6 Tampa Bay 5Final Seattle 10 N.Y. Yankees 2NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Arizona 5 Washington 3Final Atlanta 5 Philadelphia 1Final San Diego 10 San Francisco 0Final Miami 6 Pittsburgh 4<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Friday

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas native Gradey Dick brought a bit of home with him to the&nbsp;NBA draft. After all, there's no place like it.

The guard from Wichita, Kansas, who played his lone college season at his home state school, wore a sparkly and bedazzled red coat Thursday night. Dick said it was his nod to Dorothy from the classic movie “Wizard of Oz.”

“I’m from Kansas, she’s from Kansas,” Dick said. "She’s got her slippers, I have my coat.”

Dick&nbsp;showed off his jacket on the red carpet&nbsp;coming into the Barclays Center. The 6-foot-8 sharp-shooter set a freshman record with 83 3-pointers at Kansas, and&nbsp;the Toronto Raptors selected him at No. 13 overall.

Now Dick's jacket matches one of his new team's colors. One of his last workouts was for the Raptors, and he said he was hoping he might go there after having a great time with the team.

“It kind of worked out good with the colors,” Dick said. “I’m beyond blessed. I’m happy.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687516993946.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas native Gradey Dick brought a bit of home with him to the&nbsp;NBA draft. After all, there's no place like it.The guard from Wichita, Kansas, who played his lone college season at his home state school, wore a sparkly and bedazzled red coat Thursday night. Dick said it was his nod to Dorothy from the classic movie “Wizard of Oz.”“I’m from Kansas, she’s from Kansas,” Dick said. "She’s got her slippers, I have my coat.”Dick&nbsp;showed off his jacket on the red carpet&nbsp;coming into the Barclays Center. The 6-foot-8 sharp-shooter set a freshman record with 83 3-pointers at Kansas, and&nbsp;the Toronto Raptors selected him at No. 13 overall.Now Dick's jacket matches one of his new team's colors. One of his last workouts was for the Raptors, and he said he was hoping he might go there after having a great time with the team.“It kind of worked out good with the colors,” Dick said. “I’m beyond blessed. I’m happy.”<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Kansas native's NBA Draft coat a nod to home state

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Monarchs game against the Newton Sluggin' Rebels on Thursday night at Hobart-Detter will not be played due to unplayable field conditions. The announcement came on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. after the grounds crew has been working on the field all day to get it playable, but the rains Wednesday morning were too much.

According to Monarchs owner/GM Marc Blackim, the grounds crew used 25 bags of diamond dry on the field, but it still was not enough to make the field safe to play on.&nbsp;

The postponement on Thursday marks the fifth time this summer that the Monarchs have had a game at Hobart-Detter postponed or moved due to unplayable field conditions.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/b8417b33-76ad-4374-a558-6b8eb021c6ca">There is currently a proposal in the 2024 budget to turf Hobart-Detter Field</a>.&nbsp;

The Monarchs are scheduled to travel to Newton to play the Sluggin' Rebels on Friday night at 7 p.m. The game from Thursday is scheduled to be made up at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590175262343.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Monarchs game against the Newton Sluggin' Rebels on Thursday night at Hobart-Detter will not be played due to unplayable field conditions. The announcement came on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. after the grounds crew has been working on the field all day to get it playable, but the rains Wednesday morning were too much.According to Monarchs owner/GM Marc Blackim, the grounds crew used 25 bags of diamond dry on the field, but it still was not enough to make the field safe to play on.&nbsp;The postponement on Thursday marks the fifth time this summer that the Monarchs have had a game at Hobart-Detter postponed or moved due to unplayable field conditions.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/b8417b33-76ad-4374-a558-6b8eb021c6ca">There is currently a proposal in the 2024 budget to turf Hobart-Detter Field</a>.&nbsp;The Monarchs are scheduled to travel to Newton to play the Sluggin' Rebels on Friday night at 7 p.m. The game from Thursday is scheduled to be made up at a later date.

⚾ Monarchs postponed Thursday night

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Former HutchCC Blue Dragon Toby Johnson has been named All-Pro defensive tackle by the USFL on Wednesday.&nbsp; Johnson, a defensive tackle with the New Jersey Generals and offensive guard Jarron Jones of the Memphis Showboats are the only two time All-Pro selections by the USFL making the prestigious list two years in-a-row.

Johnson finished his college career with Georgia and then signed on as a free agent with several NFL teams before winning a National Championship in Arena Football with the Massachusetts Pirates in 2021 and was All-League both years he played for the Pirates.

CANTON, Ohio — Heading into the playoffs this weekend in Birmingham, Ala., and Canton, the USFL today announced the 2023 All-USFL Team. From a league of 400 players, 28 earned this prestigious selection as top performers this season. Collectively, these players set 11 modern USFL records. “We are very grateful to our players, coaches, and general managers for the brand of football played in USFL Season 2. There were a lot of difficult decisions to help determine the best players at 28 positions on offense, defense, and special teams,” said Daryl Johnston, President of Football Operations. “There were many players who were worthy of recognition in our highly competitive second season. Every team had at least two players named All-USFL, which is proof of the remarkable parity across the league. USFL fans are the ultimate winners as they got to enjoy watching these outstanding athletes play some incredible football.”

All-USFL OFFENSE (11) The backfield has Birmingham Stallions Quarterback&nbsp;Alex McGough,&nbsp;(3-time Offensive Player of the Week who set record with 25 total touchdowns), Houston Gamblers Running Back&nbsp;Mark Thompson&nbsp;(set record with 14 rushing touchdowns) and New Orleans Breakers Running Back&nbsp;Wes Hills&nbsp;(set two records with 957 total yards including 679 rushing yards). Catching passes are three of the USFL’s most dynamic playmakers in Philadelphia Stars Wide Receiver&nbsp;Corey Coleman&nbsp;(set record with 669 receiving yards), Gamblers Wide Receiver&nbsp;Justin Hall&nbsp;(47 receptions for 515 yards and 4 touchdowns), and Stallions Tight End&nbsp;Jace Sternberger&nbsp;(set record with 7 receiving touchdowns). On the offensive line are New Jersey Generals Center&nbsp;Jake Lacina&nbsp;and Guard&nbsp;Calvin Ashley&nbsp;(both anchored the USFL’s top rushing attack), versatile Breakers Guard&nbsp;Paul Adams,&nbsp;Gamblers Tackle&nbsp;Avery Gennesy,&nbsp;and Memphis Showboats Tackle&nbsp;Jarron Jones&nbsp;(repeats after being named 2022 All-USFL).

ALL-USFL DEFENSE (11) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toby_Johnson_(American_football)">The defensive line is anchored by Generals Defensive Tackle&nbsp;Toby Johnson (repeats after being named 2022 All-USFL)</a>, Showboats Nose Tackle&nbsp;John Atkins,&nbsp;Michigan Panthers Defensive End&nbsp;Breeland Peaks&nbsp;(2-time Defensive Player of the Week with league-leading 9 sacks) and Stars Defensive End&nbsp;Adam Rodriguez&nbsp;(tied-third in sacks and tied-sixth in tackles for losses). In the middle are Panthers Linebacker Frank Ginda&nbsp;(set record as 4-time Defensive Player of the Week with league-leading 104 defensive tackles), Maulers Linebacker&nbsp;Kyahva Tezino&nbsp;(94 defensive tackles and 2 interceptions), and Generals Linebacker&nbsp;Chris Orr&nbsp;(82 defensive tackles and 2.5 sacks). The defensive backfield includes Pittsburgh Mauler teammates Cornerback&nbsp;Mark Gilbert&nbsp;(league-leading 4 interceptions) and Safety&nbsp;Arnold Tarpley III&nbsp;(tiedsecond with 3 interceptions along with 42 defensive tackles), Generals Cornerback&nbsp;DJ Daniel&nbsp;(tied-second with 3 interceptions along with 30 defensive tackles), and Gamblers Safety&nbsp;Manny Bunch&nbsp;(54 defensive tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception).

ALL-USFL SPECIAL TEAMS (6) The USFL takes pride in special teams with innovative rules that make professional football kick returns exciting again while also emphasizing player safety. Many USFL players provided fans with jaw-dropping moments throughout the season. The Maulers embodied special teams talent with Kick Returner&nbsp;Josh Simmons&nbsp;(set record with 862 kick return yards) and Punt Returner&nbsp;Isiah Hennie&nbsp;(set record with 297 punt return yards). No football fan will soon forget the eight field goals in one game by Stars Placekicker&nbsp;Luis Aguilar&nbsp;(set record with 94 kicking points). Stallions teammates Punter&nbsp;Colby Wadman&nbsp;(set record with 48.7-yard punt average) and Long Snapper&nbsp;Ryan Langan&nbsp;helped Birmingham to a league-best 8-2 record. Finally, Showboats Special Teamer&nbsp;Vinny Papale&nbsp;is recognized as epitomizing the fast, physical, and tough identity of USFL players.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687433737928.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Former HutchCC Blue Dragon Toby Johnson has been named All-Pro defensive tackle by the USFL on Wednesday.&nbsp; Johnson, a defensive tackle with the New Jersey Generals and offensive guard Jarron Jones of the Memphis Showboats are the only two time All-Pro selections by the USFL making the prestigious list two years in-a-row.Johnson finished his college career with Georgia and then signed on as a free agent with several NFL teams before winning a National Championship in Arena Football with the Massachusetts Pirates in 2021 and was All-League both years he played for the Pirates.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you God🙏🏾 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InDueTime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InDueTime</a> <a href="https://t.co/9pR8CDtzXW">https://t.co/9pR8CDtzXW</a>&mdash; Toby Johnson (@Future020113SEC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Future020113SEC/status/1671667243678154754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/vOguZKIyD5">pic.twitter.com/vOguZKIyD5</a>&mdash; Glen Grunwald (@bluedragonvoice) <a href="https://twitter.com/bluedragonvoice/status/1671852540432883713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>CANTON, Ohio — Heading into the playoffs this weekend in Birmingham, Ala., and Canton, the USFL today announced the 2023 All-USFL Team. From a league of 400 players, 28 earned this prestigious selection as top performers this season. Collectively, these players set 11 modern USFL records. “We are very grateful to our players, coaches, and general managers for the brand of football played in USFL Season 2. There were a lot of difficult decisions to help determine the best players at 28 positions on offense, defense, and special teams,” said Daryl Johnston, President of Football Operations. “There were many players who were worthy of recognition in our highly competitive second season. Every team had at least two players named All-USFL, which is proof of the remarkable parity across the league. USFL fans are the ultimate winners as they got to enjoy watching these outstanding athletes play some incredible football.”All-USFL OFFENSE (11) The backfield has Birmingham Stallions Quarterback&nbsp;Alex McGough,&nbsp;(3-time Offensive Player of the Week who set record with 25 total touchdowns), Houston Gamblers Running Back&nbsp;Mark Thompson&nbsp;(set record with 14 rushing touchdowns) and New Orleans Breakers Running Back&nbsp;Wes Hills&nbsp;(set two records with 957 total yards including 679 rushing yards). Catching passes are three of the USFL’s most dynamic playmakers in Philadelphia Stars Wide Receiver&nbsp;Corey Coleman&nbsp;(set record with 669 receiving yards), Gamblers Wide Receiver&nbsp;Justin Hall&nbsp;(47 receptions for 515 yards and 4 touchdowns), and Stallions Tight End&nbsp;Jace Sternberger&nbsp;(set record with 7 receiving touchdowns). On the offensive line are New Jersey Generals Center&nbsp;Jake Lacina&nbsp;and Guard&nbsp;Calvin Ashley&nbsp;(both anchored the USFL’s top rushing attack), versatile Breakers Guard&nbsp;Paul Adams,&nbsp;Gamblers Tackle&nbsp;Avery Gennesy,&nbsp;and Memphis Showboats Tackle&nbsp;Jarron Jones&nbsp;(repeats after being named 2022 All-USFL).ALL-USFL DEFENSE (11) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toby_Johnson_(American_football)">The defensive line is anchored by Generals Defensive Tackle&nbsp;Toby Johnson (repeats after being named 2022 All-USFL)</a>, Showboats Nose Tackle&nbsp;John Atkins,&nbsp;Michigan Panthers Defensive End&nbsp;Breeland Peaks&nbsp;(2-time Defensive Player of the Week with league-leading 9 sacks) and Stars Defensive End&nbsp;Adam Rodriguez&nbsp;(tied-third in sacks and tied-sixth in tackles for losses). In the middle are Panthers Linebacker Frank Ginda&nbsp;(set record as 4-time Defensive Player of the Week with league-leading 104 defensive tackles), Maulers Linebacker&nbsp;Kyahva Tezino&nbsp;(94 defensive tackles and 2 interceptions), and Generals Linebacker&nbsp;Chris Orr&nbsp;(82 defensive tackles and 2.5 sacks). The defensive backfield includes Pittsburgh Mauler teammates Cornerback&nbsp;Mark Gilbert&nbsp;(league-leading 4 interceptions) and Safety&nbsp;Arnold Tarpley III&nbsp;(tiedsecond with 3 interceptions along with 42 defensive tackles), Generals Cornerback&nbsp;DJ Daniel&nbsp;(tied-second with 3 interceptions along with 30 defensive tackles), and Gamblers Safety&nbsp;Manny Bunch&nbsp;(54 defensive tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception).ALL-USFL SPECIAL TEAMS (6) The USFL takes pride in special teams with innovative rules that make professional football kick returns exciting again while also emphasizing player safety. Many USFL players provided fans with jaw-dropping moments throughout the season. The Maulers embodied special teams talent with Kick Returner&nbsp;Josh Simmons&nbsp;(set record with 862 kick return yards) and Punt Returner&nbsp;Isiah Hennie&nbsp;(set record with 297 punt return yards). No football fan will soon forget the eight field goals in one game by Stars Placekicker&nbsp;Luis Aguilar&nbsp;(set record with 94 kicking points). Stallions teammates Punter&nbsp;Colby Wadman&nbsp;(set record with 48.7-yard punt average) and Long Snapper&nbsp;Ryan Langan&nbsp;helped Birmingham to a league-best 8-2 record. Finally, Showboats Special Teamer&nbsp;Vinny Papale&nbsp;is recognized as epitomizing the fast, physical, and tough identity of USFL players.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Former HutchCC Blue Dragon earns USFL postseason honor

AP Sports Summary for Thursday, June 22nd.

Wizards trading Porzingis to Celtics in 3-team deal with Smart headed to Grizzlies, AP sources say

Two people with knowledge of the deal say the Washington Wizards have agreed to trade center Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team trade that also includes the Celtics trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement hadn't been announced. The trade comes with Porzingis accepting his player option for next season. The deal also includes the Grizzlies acquiring Smart from Boston in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2023 and 2024. ESPN also reports the Wizards are receiving guard Tyus Jones from Memphis, and forwards Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari and a second-round pick this year from Boston.

With Wembanyama a player like few others, there's no debate at the top of this NBA draft

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama's towering shadow has hung over this NBA draft for months, blocking much of what is usually part of the process. There has been no debate about who the San Antonio Spurs should take with the No. 1 pick on Thursday night. When a player like Wembanyama comes along — and maybe none ever has — there's no real reason to drum up any drama. The Spurs are not going to pass up someone who is listed at 7-foot-4 but has the skills of a player much smaller. The 19-year-old from France has been called the best prospect since LeBron James came out of high school in 2003.

NBA mock draft: Wembanyama easy No. 1; AP has Miller second, Henderson third

Victor Wembanyama's NBA draft experience will be quite unlike last year's No. 1 pick. Paolo Banchero could never be certain he would be taken first. There was too much speculation that Orlando was also considering Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren, with some mock drafts listing Banchero below both. The eventual Rookie of the Year said he didn't find out he was the Magic's choice until less than a minute before Commissioner Adam Silver went on stage in Brooklyn. But Wembanyama has owned permanent residence atop mock draft boards, including all four versions of the AP's, and could begin walking to the stage Thursday night before Silver finishes announcing the San Antonio Spurs' selection.

NBA-champion Nuggets trade into the 1st round by swapping picks with the Pacers, AP source says

DENVER (AP) — The NBA-champion Denver Nuggets struck a deal with Indiana to acquire a first-round round pick in the draft on Thursday night. The teams agreed to a deal that also gives the Nuggets the 32nd overall pick, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Pacers will receive the 40th pick in this year's draft from Denver and a first-round pick in 2024. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has yet to be announced.

Freeman homers off Ohtani, and Dodgers sweep Angels with 2-0 victory

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit his 14th homer off Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning, and seven relievers combined on a two-hitter in the Los Angeles Dodgers' second straight shutout victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers won 2-0. Ohtani pitched seven innings of five-hit ball with two walks and 12 strikeouts, one off his career high. The two-way superstar was outstanding in his first career mound start against the Dodgers, who are likely to be one of his most ardent suitors in free agency this winter.

PGA Tour will appear before a Senate panel investigating its deal with Saudi backers of LIV

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate subcommittee is asking executives from the PGA Tour, Saudi golf interests and LIV Golf to testify as Congress investigates the shocking business deal that upended the sport. Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced Wednesday that the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations would hold a hearing on July 11 to examine the stunning agreement the PGA Tour now has with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and the European tour. He invited PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and LIV CEO Greg Norman to testify. The PGA Tour said in a statement that it looked forward to appearing to answer questions about the "framework agreement."

Fraley's homer sends the Reds to their 11th straight win, their longest streak in 66 years

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jake Fraley hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds extended their majors-best winning streak to 11 games, rallying past the Colorado Rockies 5-3 for a three-game sweep. It is the Reds' longest winning streak since they won 12 in a row in 1957. Rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz hit a one-out bloop to left that fell for a double against Daniel Bard and Fraley hit the next pitch over the wall in right. That sent the Reds to their majors-best 12th comeback win of the season and the Rockies to their season-worst eighth straight loss.

Henrik Lundqvist headlines the Hockey Hall of Fame's goalie-heavy class of 2023

Henrik Lundqvist headlines the Hockey Hall of Fame's goaltender-heavy class of 2023. Fellow netminders Tom Barrasso and Mike Vernon were also among the five players elected. Former NHL forward Pierre Turgeon and Canadian women's hockey star Caroline Ouellette were also chosen. Stanley Cup-winning coach Ken Hitchcock and late executive Pierre Lacroix were picked in the builder category. Lundqvist is set to be inducted into the Hall in his first year of eligibility after winning Olympic gold for Sweden in 2006 and a pro career that included backstopping the New York Rangers to 11 playoff appearances in 12 seasons.

LSU tops No. 1 Wake Forest 5-2 to set up a rematch for a spot in the College World Series finals

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Cade Beloso hit a go-ahead three-run homer, freshman Griffin Herring pitched 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief in his longest outing, and LSU defeated No. 1 national seed Wake Forest 5-2 to stay alive in the College World Series. The Tigers forced a second bracket final Thursday night. The winner will play Florida in the best-of-three championship series that starts Saturday. LSU erased a 2-0 deficit in the third inning when Dylan Crews scored on a wild pitch to tie it and Beloso launched Seth Keener's 2-0 fastball into the right-field bullpen.

Florida locks up spot in the College World Series finals with a 3-2 win over TCU

Cade Kurland's ninth-inning infield single drove in the tiebreaking run and Florida claimed a spot in the College World Series finals with a 3-2 victory over TCU. The Gators will play No. 1 national seed Wake Forest or LSU in the best-of-three championship series starting Saturday. Florida is in the finals for the fourth time, and first since it won the national championship in 2017. The win wasn't secure until Michael Robertson, who entered in the top of the ninth as a pinch runner, caught Brayden Taylor's deep fly against the center-field wall to end the game.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

		Atlanta	at	Philadelphia	1:05 p.m.	(Postponed)

Final	Real Salt Lake	3	Saint Louis City SC	1	

Final tie	Sporting Kansas City	2	LA Galaxy	2	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683366121627.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Thursday, June 22nd, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Thursday, June 22nd, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for Thursday, June 22nd.Wizards trading Porzingis to Celtics in 3-team deal with Smart headed to Grizzlies, AP sources sayTwo people with knowledge of the deal say the Washington Wizards have agreed to trade center Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team trade that also includes the Celtics trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement hadn't been announced. The trade comes with Porzingis accepting his player option for next season. The deal also includes the Grizzlies acquiring Smart from Boston in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2023 and 2024. ESPN also reports the Wizards are receiving guard Tyus Jones from Memphis, and forwards Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari and a second-round pick this year from Boston.With Wembanyama a player like few others, there's no debate at the top of this NBA draftNEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama's towering shadow has hung over this NBA draft for months, blocking much of what is usually part of the process. There has been no debate about who the San Antonio Spurs should take with the No. 1 pick on Thursday night. When a player like Wembanyama comes along — and maybe none ever has — there's no real reason to drum up any drama. The Spurs are not going to pass up someone who is listed at 7-foot-4 but has the skills of a player much smaller. The 19-year-old from France has been called the best prospect since LeBron James came out of high school in 2003.NBA mock draft: Wembanyama easy No. 1; AP has Miller second, Henderson thirdVictor Wembanyama's NBA draft experience will be quite unlike last year's No. 1 pick. Paolo Banchero could never be certain he would be taken first. There was too much speculation that Orlando was also considering Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren, with some mock drafts listing Banchero below both. The eventual Rookie of the Year said he didn't find out he was the Magic's choice until less than a minute before Commissioner Adam Silver went on stage in Brooklyn. But Wembanyama has owned permanent residence atop mock draft boards, including all four versions of the AP's, and could begin walking to the stage Thursday night before Silver finishes announcing the San Antonio Spurs' selection.NBA-champion Nuggets trade into the 1st round by swapping picks with the Pacers, AP source saysDENVER (AP) — The NBA-champion Denver Nuggets struck a deal with Indiana to acquire a first-round round pick in the draft on Thursday night. The teams agreed to a deal that also gives the Nuggets the 32nd overall pick, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Pacers will receive the 40th pick in this year's draft from Denver and a first-round pick in 2024. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has yet to be announced.Freeman homers off Ohtani, and Dodgers sweep Angels with 2-0 victoryANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit his 14th homer off Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning, and seven relievers combined on a two-hitter in the Los Angeles Dodgers' second straight shutout victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers won 2-0. Ohtani pitched seven innings of five-hit ball with two walks and 12 strikeouts, one off his career high. The two-way superstar was outstanding in his first career mound start against the Dodgers, who are likely to be one of his most ardent suitors in free agency this winter.PGA Tour will appear before a Senate panel investigating its deal with Saudi backers of LIVWASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate subcommittee is asking executives from the PGA Tour, Saudi golf interests and LIV Golf to testify as Congress investigates the shocking business deal that upended the sport. Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced Wednesday that the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations would hold a hearing on July 11 to examine the stunning agreement the PGA Tour now has with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and the European tour. He invited PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and LIV CEO Greg Norman to testify. The PGA Tour said in a statement that it looked forward to appearing to answer questions about the "framework agreement."Fraley's homer sends the Reds to their 11th straight win, their longest streak in 66 yearsCINCINNATI (AP) — Jake Fraley hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds extended their majors-best winning streak to 11 games, rallying past the Colorado Rockies 5-3 for a three-game sweep. It is the Reds' longest winning streak since they won 12 in a row in 1957. Rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz hit a one-out bloop to left that fell for a double against Daniel Bard and Fraley hit the next pitch over the wall in right. That sent the Reds to their majors-best 12th comeback win of the season and the Rockies to their season-worst eighth straight loss.Henrik Lundqvist headlines the Hockey Hall of Fame's goalie-heavy class of 2023Henrik Lundqvist headlines the Hockey Hall of Fame's goaltender-heavy class of 2023. Fellow netminders Tom Barrasso and Mike Vernon were also among the five players elected. Former NHL forward Pierre Turgeon and Canadian women's hockey star Caroline Ouellette were also chosen. Stanley Cup-winning coach Ken Hitchcock and late executive Pierre Lacroix were picked in the builder category. Lundqvist is set to be inducted into the Hall in his first year of eligibility after winning Olympic gold for Sweden in 2006 and a pro career that included backstopping the New York Rangers to 11 playoff appearances in 12 seasons.LSU tops No. 1 Wake Forest 5-2 to set up a rematch for a spot in the College World Series finalsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Cade Beloso hit a go-ahead three-run homer, freshman Griffin Herring pitched 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief in his longest outing, and LSU defeated No. 1 national seed Wake Forest 5-2 to stay alive in the College World Series. The Tigers forced a second bracket final Thursday night. The winner will play Florida in the best-of-three championship series that starts Saturday. LSU erased a 2-0 deficit in the third inning when Dylan Crews scored on a wild pitch to tie it and Beloso launched Seth Keener's 2-0 fastball into the right-field bullpen.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🎥 Game 12 Recap 🎥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/4q37E8iE8u">pic.twitter.com/4q37E8iE8u</a>&mdash; NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAABaseball/status/1671712879446220801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Florida locks up spot in the College World Series finals with a 3-2 win over TCUCade Kurland's ninth-inning infield single drove in the tiebreaking run and Florida claimed a spot in the College World Series finals with a 3-2 victory over TCU. The Gators will play No. 1 national seed Wake Forest or LSU in the best-of-three championship series starting Saturday. Florida is in the finals for the fourth time, and first since it won the national championship in 2017. The win wasn't secure until Michael Robertson, who entered in the top of the ninth as a pinch runner, caught Brayden Taylor's deep fly against the center-field wall to end the game.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Heroics send <a href="https://twitter.com/GatorsBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GatorsBB</a> to the FINALS!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> x 🎥 ESPN <a href="https://t.co/DNblYBcswN">pic.twitter.com/DNblYBcswN</a>&mdash; NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAABaseball/status/1671624054921371652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Toronto	6	Miami	3	Final	Houston	10	N.Y. Mets	8	Final	L.A. Dodgers	2	L.A. Angels	0	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Tampa Bay	7	Baltimore	2	Final	Detroit	9	Kansas City	4	Final	N.Y. Yankees	4	Seattle	2	Final	Cleveland	7	Oakland	6	Final	Minnesota	5	Boston	4	Final	Texas	6	Chicago White Sox	3	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Atlanta	at	Philadelphia	1:05 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Cincinnati	5	Colorado	3	Final	Chicago Cubs	8	Pittsburgh	3	Final	Arizona	5	Milwaukee	1	Final	Washington	3	St. Louis	0	Final	San Francisco	4	San Diego	2	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Las Vegas	99	Phoenix	79	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCERFinal tie	New York City FC	2	Atlanta	2	Final	Cincinnati	3	Toronto FC	0	Final	CF Montréal	1	Nashville	0	Final tie	Charlotte FC	2	New York	2	Final tie	Philadelphia	2	Orlando City	2	Final	Houston	4	San Jose	1	Final	New England	0	Minnesota	0	Final	Real Salt Lake	3	Saint Louis City SC	1	Final	Austin FC	3	FC Dallas	0	Final	Vancouver	0	Colorado	0	Final tie	Sporting Kansas City	2	LA Galaxy	2	Final	Los Angeles FC	1	Seattle	0	Final	Chicago	2	Portland	1	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Boston	at	Minnesota	1:10 p.m.			Oakland	at	Cleveland	1:10 p.m.			Kansas City	at	Tampa Bay	6:40 p.m.			Seattle	at	N-Y Yankees	7:05 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Arizona	at	Washington	1:05 p.m.			Atlanta	at	Philadelphia	1:05 p.m.			San Diego	at	San Francisco	3:45 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Miami	6:40 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Connecticut	at	Minnesota	8 p.m.			Washington	at	Chicago	8 p.m.			Indiana	at	Seattle	10 p.m.	<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Thursday

WICHITA, Kan.—The Wind Surge out hit the Travelers eleven hits to eight but failed to capitalize on the opportunities and took a 5-1 loss. Arkansas tied the series up one game to one. 12 men were left on base by the Surge and they were one for nine with runners in scoring position.

In the bottom of the first Yunior Severino hit a ground ball to the Travs second baseman that got through and allowed DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to score on the fielding error. Severino earned an RBI on the only scoring play for Wichita in the evening.

Arkansas took the lead in the top of third when Jonatan Clase hit a triple down the first base line that drove in two runs. Two more runs were added when Isiah Gilliam hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth. Gilliam hit another solo home run in the top of the ninth.

Wind Surge starting pitcher Pierson Ohl made his home field debut tonight and got his third start of the season. He pitched five and two thirds innings, struck out three batters, and gave up three runs on four hits. He took the loss for the Surge.

Shawn Semple was the starting pitcher for the Travelers. He pitched five innings, gave up one run on nine hits and recorded five strikeouts.

The Wichita Wind Surge fall to 28-36 and the Arkansas Travelers improve their record to 41-24.

NOTES: Yunior Severino extends his hitting streak to 11 games and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. extends his to 12 games in a row. Aaron Sabato has now reached base in 16 consecutive games.

UPCOMING: The Turbo Tubs play game three of the home series against the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 PM on a Thirsty Thursday. RH David Festa for the Surge will face LH Ethan Lindow for the Travelers

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687430011168.jpeg" alt="Surge June 21.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Surge June 21.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan.—The Wind Surge out hit the Travelers eleven hits to eight but failed to capitalize on the opportunities and took a 5-1 loss. Arkansas tied the series up one game to one. 12 men were left on base by the Surge and they were one for nine with runners in scoring position.In the bottom of the first Yunior Severino hit a ground ball to the Travs second baseman that got through and allowed DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to score on the fielding error. Severino earned an RBI on the only scoring play for Wichita in the evening.Arkansas took the lead in the top of third when Jonatan Clase hit a triple down the first base line that drove in two runs. Two more runs were added when Isiah Gilliam hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth. Gilliam hit another solo home run in the top of the ninth.Wind Surge starting pitcher Pierson Ohl made his home field debut tonight and got his third start of the season. He pitched five and two thirds innings, struck out three batters, and gave up three runs on four hits. He took the loss for the Surge.Shawn Semple was the starting pitcher for the Travelers. He pitched five innings, gave up one run on nine hits and recorded five strikeouts.The Wichita Wind Surge fall to 28-36 and the Arkansas Travelers improve their record to 41-24.NOTES: Yunior Severino extends his hitting streak to 11 games and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. extends his to 12 games in a row. Aaron Sabato has now reached base in 16 consecutive games.BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1">Windsurge.com</a>, MiLB.tv and Ballys Live app.UPCOMING: The Turbo Tubs play game three of the home series against the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 PM on a Thirsty Thursday. RH David Festa for the Surge will face LH Ethan Lindow for the Travelers<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

⚾ Wind Surge drop game at home

DETROIT (AP) — Zack Short homered and drove in three runs, Javier Báez got his 1,000th career hit and the Detroit Tigers beat the slumping Kansas City Royals 9-4 on Wednesday.

Matthew Boyd (5-5) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings for Detroit. He struck out seven without a walk.

“He had a really good changeup and a pretty good slider today,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He can fall in love with them a little. You want him to maintain his fastball command at the top of the zone. But he did a very nice job for us.”

Brady Singer (4-7) lost his third straight decision, giving up five runs, seven hits and a walk in seven innings. He entered the game with a 6-0 record in 11 starts against Detroit but allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision on May 22.

“I thought he threw the ball well, but he couldn't get them to miss his slider,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He had good movement, but they kept making good contact.”

The Royals took a 2-0 lead in the second. Maikel Garcia and Samad Taylor singled before Freddy Fermin hit a line drive to left-center field. Left fielder Andy Ibañez and center fielder Matt Vierling both went for the ball, which evaded Ibañez's reach then bounced off the wall and past Vierling for a two-run double.

Eric Haase tied it with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning, and Short made it 3-2 with an RBI single.

“We got shut out last night, and then they come out and get the two quick runs on us today,” Hinch said. “To be able to answer back was really nice and then we kept tacking on and built some separation as the game went on.”

Báez put the Tigers ahead 4-2 in the third, driving in Kerry Carpenter with his 1,000th hit.

“I congratulated and reminded him he's still 2,118 behind (teammate Miguel Cabrera), so he better keep it up,” Hinch said.

Short led off the fifth with his fourth homer, giving the Tigers a three-run lead.

Kansas City second baseman Taylor and right fielder Matt Beaty collided going after Spencer Torkelson's shallow fly ball to lead off the eighth. Both players stayed down for several minutes, but Taylor stayed in the game and Beaty walked off under his own power.

“That was scary, because Matt went down really hard and Samad also went down hard,” Quatraro said. “Luckily, it isn't a serious injury. He's got a non-concussive whiplash injury, which is a lot better than it could have been.”

Torkelson ended up on third and scored on Báez's single over a drawn-in infield. The Tigers added three more runs in the inning for a 9-3 lead.

The 1:10 pm start was Detroit's 38th day game of the season, the most in the majors. The Tigers are 14-24 in afternoon games as opposed to 18-17 at night.

Moments after Taylor was shaken up by the collision with Beaty, he was taken out on a hard slide by Jake Marisnick while trying to turn a double play. In the ninth, he was hit on the left hand by a 94.4 mph fastball but stayed in the game after another visit with the trainer. Adding insult to injury, after a review, it was ruled a foul ball.

The Tigers have Thursday off before opening a weekend home series with the Minnesota Twins. LHP Joey Wentz (1-7, 6.82) is scheduled to start the opener.

Kansas City will travel to Florida for a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Royals will use RHP Jose Cuas (3-0, 4.15) as an opener on Thursday while Tampa Bay has not announced a pitcher.

DETROIT (AP) — Zack Short homered and drove in three runs, Javier Báez got his 1,000th career hit and the Detroit Tigers beat the slumping Kansas City Royals 9-4 on Wednesday.The Royals have lost 15 of 18 games.Matthew Boyd (5-5) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings for Detroit. He struck out seven without a walk.“He had a really good changeup and a pretty good slider today,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He can fall in love with them a little. You want him to maintain his fastball command at the top of the zone. But he did a very nice job for us.”Brady Singer (4-7) lost his third straight decision, giving up five runs, seven hits and a walk in seven innings. He entered the game with a 6-0 record in 11 starts against Detroit but allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision on May 22.“I thought he threw the ball well, but he couldn't get them to miss his slider,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He had good movement, but they kept making good contact.”The Royals took a 2-0 lead in the second. Maikel Garcia and Samad Taylor singled before Freddy Fermin hit a line drive to left-center field. Left fielder Andy Ibañez and center fielder Matt Vierling both went for the ball, which evaded Ibañez's reach then bounced off the wall and past Vierling for a two-run double.Eric Haase tied it with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning, and Short made it 3-2 with an RBI single.“We got shut out last night, and then they come out and get the two quick runs on us today,” Hinch said. “To be able to answer back was really nice and then we kept tacking on and built some separation as the game went on.”Báez put the Tigers ahead 4-2 in the third, driving in Kerry Carpenter with his 1,000th hit.“I congratulated and reminded him he's still 2,118 behind (teammate Miguel Cabrera), so he better keep it up,” Hinch said.Short led off the fifth with his fourth homer, giving the Tigers a three-run lead.Kansas City second baseman Taylor and right fielder Matt Beaty collided going after Spencer Torkelson's shallow fly ball to lead off the eighth. Both players stayed down for several minutes, but Taylor stayed in the game and Beaty walked off under his own power.“That was scary, because Matt went down really hard and Samad also went down hard,” Quatraro said. “Luckily, it isn't a serious injury. He's got a non-concussive whiplash injury, which is a lot better than it could have been.”Torkelson ended up on third and scored on Báez's single over a drawn-in infield. The Tigers added three more runs in the inning for a 9-3 lead.BRIGHT AND EARLYThe 1:10 pm start was Detroit's 38th day game of the season, the most in the majors. The Tigers are 14-24 in afternoon games as opposed to 18-17 at night.ROUGH FINISHMoments after Taylor was shaken up by the collision with Beaty, he was taken out on a hard slide by Jake Marisnick while trying to turn a double play. In the ninth, he was hit on the left hand by a 94.4 mph fastball but stayed in the game after another visit with the trainer. Adding insult to injury, after a review, it was ruled a foul ball.UP NEXTThe Tigers have Thursday off before opening a weekend home series with the Minnesota Twins. LHP Joey Wentz (1-7, 6.82) is scheduled to start the opener.Kansas City will travel to Florida for a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Royals will use RHP Jose Cuas (3-0, 4.15) as an opener on Thursday while Tampa Bay has not announced a pitcher.

⚾ Zack Short homers, Javier Báez gets 1,000th hit to lead Tigers over Royals

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas State men's basketball team will open the 2023-24 season against USC in the 2023 Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas on Monday, Nov. 6 in a quadruple-header at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. &nbsp; In addition to the contest between the Wildcats and Trojans, the quadruple-header will include women's games between defending NCAA national champion LSU and Colorado as well as USC and Ohio State, along with a men's matchup between Georgia and Oregon.

Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale in mid-July. On-sale date, game times and television broadcast information will be released at a later date.

The matchup will mark the first time in more than 20 seasons that K-State will open the season away from home since a 73-64 loss to BYU at the Paradise Jam on Nov. 23, 2002, in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. It will be just the 10th season opener away from home since 1970, including the fourth neutral site matchup.

K-State is 4-1 all-time against USC, including an 80-67 win in the last meeting with the Trojans in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. This will be the second meeting in Las Vegas after a 68-55 win by the Wildcats at the 2006 Las Vegas Holiday Classic on Dec. 22, 2006.

K-State has made several visits to Las Vegas in recent years, including the 2006 Las Vegas Holiday Classic and the 2008 and 2017 Las Vegas Invitationals held at the Orleans Arena. The Wildcats have also played the hometown Runnin’ Rebels in Las Vegas in 2009 and 2019. This will be the school’s first game in T-Mobile Arena.

Led by 11th-year head coach&nbsp;Andy Enfield, USC posted a 22-11 overall record, including a tie for second place in the Pac-12 with a 14-6 mark, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season in 2022-23. He has led the Trojans to 95 wins over the last 4 seasons, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2020-21.

USC is expected to return starters&nbsp;Kobe Johnson&nbsp;(9.2 ppg.) and&nbsp;Joshua Morgan&nbsp;(7.0 ppg.), along with former 5-star 7-foot-1 big man&nbsp;Vince Iwuchukwu&nbsp;(5.4 ppg.), who played in only 14 games with 5 starts after recovering from a medical emergency. The Trojans also have the nation’s 4th-ranked recruiting class that includes ESPN’s top-ranked incoming freshman&nbsp;Isaiah Collier&nbsp;as well as 20th-ranked freshman&nbsp;Bronny James.

Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year&nbsp;Jerome Tang, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school’s 13th&nbsp;trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13.

The rest of the 2023-24 men’s basketball schedule will be released as it becomes official.

The Hall of Fame Series, which is owned and operated by Position Sports, is a collection of multi-game, singular events that will showcase several of the top collegiate basketball teams in exciting non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. In March, the Phoenix-based company and the Hall of Fame reached an exclusive 10-year agreement.

Among the other Hall of Fame series include a tripleheader on Nov. 10 at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, a doubleheader on Dec. 9 at Toronto’s Coca-Coca Coliseum, a tripleheader on Dec. 16 at San Antonio’s AT&amp;T Center and a quadruple header on Dec. 20 at Phoenix’s Footprint Center involving various men’s and women’s programs.

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level — men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors — both domestically and internationally. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hoophall.com/" target="_blank">hoophall.com</a>.

T-Mobile Arena, the 20,000-seat venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York, opened April 6, 2016. The arena hosts more than 100 events annually including major headline entertainment, awards shows, UFC, boxing, basketball and other sporting events, family shows and special events. T-Mobile Arena also is the home of the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights as well as UFC’s exclusive Las Vegas arena destination.

Position Sports, established in 2005, is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations, and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687379585495.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas State men's basketball team will open the 2023-24 season against USC in the 2023 Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas on Monday, Nov. 6 in a quadruple-header at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. &nbsp; In addition to the contest between the Wildcats and Trojans, the quadruple-header will include women's games between defending NCAA national champion LSU and Colorado as well as USC and Ohio State, along with a men's matchup between Georgia and Oregon.Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale in mid-July. On-sale date, game times and television broadcast information will be released at a later date.The matchup will mark the first time in more than 20 seasons that K-State will open the season away from home since a 73-64 loss to BYU at the Paradise Jam on Nov. 23, 2002, in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. It will be just the 10th season opener away from home since 1970, including the fourth neutral site matchup.K-State is 4-1 all-time against USC, including an 80-67 win in the last meeting with the Trojans in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. This will be the second meeting in Las Vegas after a 68-55 win by the Wildcats at the 2006 Las Vegas Holiday Classic on Dec. 22, 2006.K-State has made several visits to Las Vegas in recent years, including the 2006 Las Vegas Holiday Classic and the 2008 and 2017 Las Vegas Invitationals held at the Orleans Arena. The Wildcats have also played the hometown Runnin’ Rebels in Las Vegas in 2009 and 2019. This will be the school’s first game in T-Mobile Arena.Led by 11th-year head coach&nbsp;Andy Enfield, USC posted a 22-11 overall record, including a tie for second place in the Pac-12 with a 14-6 mark, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season in 2022-23. He has led the Trojans to 95 wins over the last 4 seasons, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2020-21.USC is expected to return starters&nbsp;Kobe Johnson&nbsp;(9.2 ppg.) and&nbsp;Joshua Morgan&nbsp;(7.0 ppg.), along with former 5-star 7-foot-1 big man&nbsp;Vince Iwuchukwu&nbsp;(5.4 ppg.), who played in only 14 games with 5 starts after recovering from a medical emergency. The Trojans also have the nation’s 4th-ranked recruiting class that includes ESPN’s top-ranked incoming freshman&nbsp;Isaiah Collier&nbsp;as well as 20th-ranked freshman&nbsp;Bronny James.Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year&nbsp;Jerome Tang, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school’s 13th&nbsp;trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13.The rest of the 2023-24 men’s basketball schedule will be released as it becomes official.HALL OF FAME SERIESThe Hall of Fame Series, which is owned and operated by Position Sports, is a collection of multi-game, singular events that will showcase several of the top collegiate basketball teams in exciting non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. In March, the Phoenix-based company and the Hall of Fame reached an exclusive 10-year agreement.Among the other Hall of Fame series include a tripleheader on Nov. 10 at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, a doubleheader on Dec. 9 at Toronto’s Coca-Coca Coliseum, a tripleheader on Dec. 16 at San Antonio’s AT&amp;T Center and a quadruple header on Dec. 20 at Phoenix’s Footprint Center involving various men’s and women’s programs.NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMELocated in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level — men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors — both domestically and internationally. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hoophall.com/" target="_blank">hoophall.com</a>.T-MOBILE ARENA (Las Vegas)T-Mobile Arena, the 20,000-seat venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York, opened April 6, 2016. The arena hosts more than 100 events annually including major headline entertainment, awards shows, UFC, boxing, basketball and other sporting events, family shows and special events. T-Mobile Arena also is the home of the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights as well as UFC’s exclusive Las Vegas arena destination.ABOUT POSITION SPORTSPosition Sports, established in 2005, is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations, and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale.

🏀 MBB: K-State to open season with USC in Vegas

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) – the $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball event broadcast live on ESPN networks – today announced the bracket for this year's tournament. AfterShocks, the Wichita State alumni team, and Mass Street, the Kansas alumni team, will serve as the featured teams for the Wichita Super Regionals,&nbsp;which comprises two separate eight-team events. The games, which will take place July 19-23, will be played at Charles Koch Arena from July 19-23. Charles Koch Arena will also host a TBT quarterfinals game on July 25. AfterShocks, the number one seed in their regional, is organized by former Wichita State basketball players Zach Bush, JR Simon, and Garrett Stutz. Bush will continue to be the team's head coach. AfterShocks' roster currently includes: ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conner Frankamp (2015-18) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Markis McDuffie (2015-19) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Darral Willis (2016-18) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Samajae Haynes-Jones (2017-19) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Asbjorn Midtgaard (2017-20) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Trey Wade (2019-21) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Alterique Gilbert (2020-21) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Marcus Lee (Kentucky/Cal-Berkeley) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tyrus McGee (Iowa State) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jordan Parks (North Carolina Central) The rest of the region includes: ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#2 seed Purple &amp; Black (Kansas State alumni):&nbsp;The Kansas State alumni team features Jacob Pullen, Henry Walker, Kamau Stokes, and Marcus Foster, amongst other former Kansas State players. ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#3 seed Team Arkansas (Arkansas alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#4 seed Beale Street Boys (Memphis alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#5 seed Broad Street Birds (Temple alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#6 seed Ram Up (Colorado State alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#7 seed DaGuys STL ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#8 seed B1 Ballers AfterShocks will take on the #8 seed B1 Ballers in the team's first-round game on Thursday, July 20 at 8 pm CT. If AfterShocks advances to the second round, they will face the winner of #4 seed Beale Street Boys and #5 seed Broad Street Birds on Friday, July 21 at 8 pm CT. The regional championship game for the AfterShocks bracket will be Sunday, July 23 at 4 pm CT. Mass Street is organized by Mass Street Collective, the Name, Image and Likeness collective for University of Kansas student-athletes.&nbsp; The rest of the region includes: ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#2 seed Heartfire ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#3 seed LA Cheaters ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#4 seed Show Me Squad (Missouri alumni):&nbsp;The first year Missouri alumni team features Dree Gholston and Isiaih Mosley from this year's Missouri NCAA Tournament team, in addition to other alumni like Jordan Geist, Jontay Porter, and Mitchell Smith. Phil Pressey will be the team's head coach. ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#5 seed Vegas Rebellion (UNLV alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#6 seed Living The Dream ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#7 seed Juco Products ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#8 seed We Are D3 Mass Street will take on the #8 seed We Are D3 in the team's first-round game on Wednesday, July 19 at 8 pm CT. If Mass Street advances to the second round, they will face the winner of #4 seed Show Me Squad (Missouri alumni) and #5 seed Vegas Rebellion (UNLV alumni) on Saturday, July 22 at 3 pm CT. The championship game for Mass Street's regional will be Sunday, July 23 at 2 pm CT. The winner of the AfterShocks' regional will take on the winner of Mass Street's regional in Charles Koch Arena in TBT's quarterfinals game on Tuesday, July 25, at 8 pm CT. For more information on the Wichita Super Regional or to purchase tickets, visit TheTournament.com/Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687364897544.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State AthleticsThe Basketball Tournament (TBT) – the $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball event broadcast live on ESPN networks – today announced the bracket for this year's tournament. AfterShocks, the Wichita State alumni team, and Mass Street, the Kansas alumni team, will serve as the featured teams for the Wichita Super Regionals,&nbsp;which comprises two separate eight-team events. The games, which will take place July 19-23, will be played at Charles Koch Arena from July 19-23. Charles Koch Arena will also host a TBT quarterfinals game on July 25. AfterShocks, the number one seed in their regional, is organized by former Wichita State basketball players Zach Bush, JR Simon, and Garrett Stutz. Bush will continue to be the team's head coach. AfterShocks' roster currently includes: ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Conner Frankamp (2015-18) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Markis McDuffie (2015-19) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Darral Willis (2016-18) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Samajae Haynes-Jones (2017-19) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Asbjorn Midtgaard (2017-20) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Trey Wade (2019-21) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Alterique Gilbert (2020-21) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Marcus Lee (Kentucky/Cal-Berkeley) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tyrus McGee (Iowa State) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jordan Parks (North Carolina Central) The rest of the region includes: ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#2 seed Purple &amp; Black (Kansas State alumni):&nbsp;The Kansas State alumni team features Jacob Pullen, Henry Walker, Kamau Stokes, and Marcus Foster, amongst other former Kansas State players. ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#3 seed Team Arkansas (Arkansas alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#4 seed Beale Street Boys (Memphis alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#5 seed Broad Street Birds (Temple alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#6 seed Ram Up (Colorado State alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#7 seed DaGuys STL ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#8 seed B1 Ballers AfterShocks will take on the #8 seed B1 Ballers in the team's first-round game on Thursday, July 20 at 8 pm CT. If AfterShocks advances to the second round, they will face the winner of #4 seed Beale Street Boys and #5 seed Broad Street Birds on Friday, July 21 at 8 pm CT. The regional championship game for the AfterShocks bracket will be Sunday, July 23 at 4 pm CT. Mass Street is organized by Mass Street Collective, the Name, Image and Likeness collective for University of Kansas student-athletes.&nbsp; The rest of the region includes: ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#2 seed Heartfire ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#3 seed LA Cheaters ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#4 seed Show Me Squad (Missouri alumni):&nbsp;The first year Missouri alumni team features Dree Gholston and Isiaih Mosley from this year's Missouri NCAA Tournament team, in addition to other alumni like Jordan Geist, Jontay Porter, and Mitchell Smith. Phil Pressey will be the team's head coach. ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#5 seed Vegas Rebellion (UNLV alumni) ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#6 seed Living The Dream ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#7 seed Juco Products ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#8 seed We Are D3 Mass Street will take on the #8 seed We Are D3 in the team's first-round game on Wednesday, July 19 at 8 pm CT. If Mass Street advances to the second round, they will face the winner of #4 seed Show Me Squad (Missouri alumni) and #5 seed Vegas Rebellion (UNLV alumni) on Saturday, July 22 at 3 pm CT. The championship game for Mass Street's regional will be Sunday, July 23 at 2 pm CT. The winner of the AfterShocks' regional will take on the winner of Mass Street's regional in Charles Koch Arena in TBT's quarterfinals game on Tuesday, July 25, at 8 pm CT. For more information on the Wichita Super Regional or to purchase tickets, visit TheTournament.com/Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: TBT releases field and matchups for Wichita Super Regional

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will play Providence on Friday, Nov. 17 in the second game of a first-round doubleheader to open the 2023 Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship at the Baha Mar Convention Center, Arts &amp; Entertainment Center in Nassau, The Bahamas. 

The Wildcats and Friars will tip off at 5 p.m., CT on Friday, Nov. 17, following a matchup between Miami (Fla.) and Georgia at 2:30 p.m., CT. The winners of the first-round games will play in the championship game at 1:30 p.m., CT on Sunday, Nov. 19, while the consolation game will start at 11 a.m., CT. All games of the tournament will air on CBS Sports Network. Various ticket packages for the Baha Mar Hoops Championship can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bahamarhoops.com/">www.bahamarhoops.com</a>. Among these is a VIP package, which includes a four-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, two (2) courtside tickets to all games of the Bahamas Championship, two (2) tickets to the tournament's VIP reception (Saturday, Nov. 18) with dinner and open bar included, round-trip ground transportation from the airport and resort, two (2) daily breakfast voucher and personal concierge service. (Airfare not included in the packages.) Tournament passes, which include tickets to all four (4) game of the tournament are available for purchase separately at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bahamarhoops.com/">www.bahamarhoops.com</a>. The Baha Mar Resort is just a 55-minute flight from Florida, opening in 2017, and includes the Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood hotels. The resort includes a casino, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a $200 million water park and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges. Fans can reserve a room at the official team hotel – the Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thebahamas/grand-hyatt-baha-mar/nasgh?corp_id=175084">here</a>. This will be the third year of the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship with Louisville defeating Maryland in 2021 and future Big 12 foe UCF defeating Santa Clara in the 2022 edition. K-State is the third Big 12 school to play in the tournament, following UCF and Oklahoma State, which both played in 2022. This will mark K-State's first appearance in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship; however, the Wildcats have won tournament championships in their last two visits to the Caribbean, including the 2018 Paradise Jam in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the 2022 Cayman Islands Classic in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. This will be just the second meeting with Providence and the first since an 87-80 win in the 1977 NCAA Tournament. The Friars earned their seventh NCAA Tournament bid in the last 10 seasons in 2022-23 before losing to Kentucky in the first round, posting a 21-12 record, including a 13-7 mark in BIG EAST play. They will be led by first-year head coach&nbsp;Kim English, who played against K-State during his playing career (2012-15) at Missouri. K-State has met Georgia on 4 occasions, including 3 times in the last 10 years (2014, 2015, 2018), while the Wildcats have never played Miami. The Hurricanes won a school-record 29 games, tied for the ACC regular-season title and advanced to their first Final Four this past season under head coach&nbsp;Jim Larranaga. The Bulldogs went 16-16 in head coach&nbsp;Mike White's&nbsp;first season, a 10-game improvement from the 2021-22 season. Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school's 13th&nbsp;trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13. The rest of the 2023-24 men's basketball schedule will be released as it becomes official. ABOUT BAHA MAR HOOPS Baha Mar Hoops is the largest regular-season event in college basketball with the 2023 edition featuring 20 men's and women's teams competing in 24 games over 10 days during the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to the Bahamas Championship (Nov. 17 and 19), the organizers will host an eight-team Nassau Championship (Nov. 24-26) as well as a Pink Flamingo Championship (Nov. 20 and 22) for some of the top women's programs. ABOUT bdG SPORTS bdG Sports is a leader in turn-key event management with a primary focus in basketball and professional golf. The firm boasts an event portfolio that has impacted multiple communities throughout North America and the Caribbean while featuring broadcasts to viewers across the globe.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687358075665.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will play Providence on Friday, Nov. 17 in the second game of a first-round doubleheader to open the 2023 Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship at the Baha Mar Convention Center, Arts &amp; Entertainment Center in Nassau, The Bahamas. The Wildcats and Friars will tip off at 5 p.m., CT on Friday, Nov. 17, following a matchup between Miami (Fla.) and Georgia at 2:30 p.m., CT. The winners of the first-round games will play in the championship game at 1:30 p.m., CT on Sunday, Nov. 19, while the consolation game will start at 11 a.m., CT. All games of the tournament will air on CBS Sports Network. Various ticket packages for the Baha Mar Hoops Championship can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bahamarhoops.com/">www.bahamarhoops.com</a>. Among these is a VIP package, which includes a four-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, two (2) courtside tickets to all games of the Bahamas Championship, two (2) tickets to the tournament's VIP reception (Saturday, Nov. 18) with dinner and open bar included, round-trip ground transportation from the airport and resort, two (2) daily breakfast voucher and personal concierge service. (Airfare not included in the packages.) Tournament passes, which include tickets to all four (4) game of the tournament are available for purchase separately at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bahamarhoops.com/">www.bahamarhoops.com</a>. The Baha Mar Resort is just a 55-minute flight from Florida, opening in 2017, and includes the Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood hotels. The resort includes a casino, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a $200 million water park and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges. Fans can reserve a room at the official team hotel – the Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thebahamas/grand-hyatt-baha-mar/nasgh?corp_id=175084">here</a>. This will be the third year of the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship with Louisville defeating Maryland in 2021 and future Big 12 foe UCF defeating Santa Clara in the 2022 edition. K-State is the third Big 12 school to play in the tournament, following UCF and Oklahoma State, which both played in 2022. This will mark K-State's first appearance in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship; however, the Wildcats have won tournament championships in their last two visits to the Caribbean, including the 2018 Paradise Jam in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the 2022 Cayman Islands Classic in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. This will be just the second meeting with Providence and the first since an 87-80 win in the 1977 NCAA Tournament. The Friars earned their seventh NCAA Tournament bid in the last 10 seasons in 2022-23 before losing to Kentucky in the first round, posting a 21-12 record, including a 13-7 mark in BIG EAST play. They will be led by first-year head coach&nbsp;Kim English, who played against K-State during his playing career (2012-15) at Missouri. K-State has met Georgia on 4 occasions, including 3 times in the last 10 years (2014, 2015, 2018), while the Wildcats have never played Miami. The Hurricanes won a school-record 29 games, tied for the ACC regular-season title and advanced to their first Final Four this past season under head coach&nbsp;Jim Larranaga. The Bulldogs went 16-16 in head coach&nbsp;Mike White's&nbsp;first season, a 10-game improvement from the 2021-22 season. Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/1856">Jerome Tang</a>, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school's 13th&nbsp;trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13. The rest of the 2023-24 men's basketball schedule will be released as it becomes official. ABOUT BAHA MAR HOOPS Baha Mar Hoops is the largest regular-season event in college basketball with the 2023 edition featuring 20 men's and women's teams competing in 24 games over 10 days during the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to the Bahamas Championship (Nov. 17 and 19), the organizers will host an eight-team Nassau Championship (Nov. 24-26) as well as a Pink Flamingo Championship (Nov. 20 and 22) for some of the top women's programs. ABOUT bdG SPORTS bdG Sports is a leader in turn-key event management with a primary focus in basketball and professional golf. The firm boasts an event portfolio that has impacted multiple communities throughout North America and the Caribbean while featuring broadcasts to viewers across the globe.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: K-State to play Providence in Bahamas

OMAHA, Neb. —&nbsp;Mark this down for future reference. The Men’s College World Series hasn’t matched the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in 24 years, going back to 1999.

But here we have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/baseball/d1/2023/cws?utm_campaign=inline-article" target="_blank">No. 1 Wake Forest 2-0 on one side of the bracket, and No. 2 Florida 2-0 on the other side</a>. Is Omaha about to witness something it hasn’t seen this century?

Depends. LSU could spoil the plot if the Tigers can knock off Wake Forest twice the next two days. LSU was ranked No. 1 much of this season so the Tigers are pretty big fish themselves. Wake Forest must be feeling some pressurized urgency Wednesday night because if the Demon Deacons lose, they could well be looking down the business end of Paul Skenes’ famous fastball on Thursday.

🤔&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2023-06-20/unbreakable-chemistry-guiding-wake-forest-mcws-success-and-some-rowdy-locker-room?utm_campaign=inline-article" target="_blank">Contributing factors to Wake Forest's success</a>

No, everyone knows the real gate crashers left in town. Mark this down for future reference, too. TCU has never played in the championship finals. Ever. What it will take to change that narrative is two wins over Florida. That’s asking a lot, but then it’s supposed to be that way here in June.

But is it doable? Recent precedent is not so encouraging to the Horned Frogs. Using the past 15 MCWS as a guide, 30 teams stood where TCU does now, needing to beat a team twice to move on. Only seven of the 30 pulled it off, the most recent Oregon State in 2018.

Then again, in this Men's College World Series anything seems possible. Unexpected twists galore. There’s been a 456-foot home run bouncing around the concession stand in left field, and Skenes topping 100-miles-an-hour 46 times in one game. There have been 13 runs scored in the first two innings, but 25 in the eighth and ninth. LSU sent out a pitcher Tuesday who hadn’t started a game all season — Nate Ackenhausen — and he shutout out Tennessee for six innings. Coach Jay Johnson texted him at 8:56 Tuesday morning to tell him he would be starting. Ackenhausen didn’t send this answer back until after 11 because he was sleeping in: “I’ll give you all I got.”

So Florida has been duly warned of the peril Wednesday afternoon. Just like Wake Forest will take the field later that night keenly aware of Skenes leaning over the rail in the LSU dugout, possibly needing only one more day of rest until he can hurl his 200 strikeouts and 1.81 earned run average at the Demon Deacons. Thursday will give him four days' rest from his Saturday win. Wake Forest will be facing a Tiger pitching staff that has given up only six runs and struck 38 batters in three games in Omaha.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/5/1559064094358-MensCWSlogo.jpg" alt="College World Series&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>College World Series&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. —&nbsp;Mark this down for future reference. The Men’s College World Series hasn’t matched the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in 24 years, going back to 1999.But here we have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/baseball/d1/2023/cws?utm_campaign=inline-article" target="_blank">No. 1 Wake Forest 2-0 on one side of the bracket, and No. 2 Florida 2-0 on the other side</a>. Is Omaha about to witness something it hasn’t seen this century?Depends. LSU could spoil the plot if the Tigers can knock off Wake Forest twice the next two days. LSU was ranked No. 1 much of this season so the Tigers are pretty big fish themselves. Wake Forest must be feeling some pressurized urgency Wednesday night because if the Demon Deacons lose, they could well be looking down the business end of Paul Skenes’ famous fastball on Thursday.🤔&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2023-06-20/unbreakable-chemistry-guiding-wake-forest-mcws-success-and-some-rowdy-locker-room?utm_campaign=inline-article" target="_blank">Contributing factors to Wake Forest's success</a>No, everyone knows the real gate crashers left in town. Mark this down for future reference, too. TCU has never played in the championship finals. Ever. What it will take to change that narrative is two wins over Florida. That’s asking a lot, but then it’s supposed to be that way here in June.But is it doable? Recent precedent is not so encouraging to the Horned Frogs. Using the past 15 MCWS as a guide, 30 teams stood where TCU does now, needing to beat a team twice to move on. Only seven of the 30 pulled it off, the most recent Oregon State in 2018.Then again, in this Men's College World Series anything seems possible. Unexpected twists galore. There’s been a 456-foot home run bouncing around the concession stand in left field, and Skenes topping 100-miles-an-hour 46 times in one game. There have been 13 runs scored in the first two innings, but 25 in the eighth and ninth. LSU sent out a pitcher Tuesday who hadn’t started a game all season — Nate Ackenhausen — and he shutout out Tennessee for six innings. Coach Jay Johnson texted him at 8:56 Tuesday morning to tell him he would be starting. Ackenhausen didn’t send this answer back until after 11 because he was sleeping in: “I’ll give you all I got.”So Florida has been duly warned of the peril Wednesday afternoon. Just like Wake Forest will take the field later that night keenly aware of Skenes leaning over the rail in the LSU dugout, possibly needing only one more day of rest until he can hurl his 200 strikeouts and 1.81 earned run average at the Demon Deacons. Thursday will give him four days' rest from his Saturday win. Wake Forest will be facing a Tiger pitching staff that has given up only six runs and struck 38 batters in three games in Omaha.And there has been Oral Roberts. That storybook had to have a last page and it was Tuesday with a 6-1 loss to TCU. “Not obviously how we wanted it to end but if you’re going to play the last game somewhere, it might as well be at Charles Schwab Field,” first baseman Jake McMurray said. “Just ran out of magic at the end.”<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/video/baseball/2023-06-20/tcu-vs-oral-roberts-2023-mens-college-world-series-highlights?utm_campaign=inline-article" target="_blank">🎥 ORU vs. TCU highlights</a>It was something of a bizarre final chapter. An Oral Roberts balk was changed to a pitch clock violation for ball four, meaning the TCU runner who was awarded home had to go back to third, and the batter who thought the count was 3-1 could walk to first base. Later, two Horned Frogs were tagged out while both in the vicinity of third base. It was ruled a double play, despite one of the runners being knocked off the bag by a Golden Eagles infielder. And while all that was happening, TCU coach Kirk Saarloos was doing an ESPN interview, so he had to excuse himself, take off his headphones and check with the umpires to find out what the heck was going on out there.“Just a weird game, a crazy game,” Oral Roberts coach Ryan Folmar said afterward.Since the Horned Frogs have sent Oral Roberts home, they now assume the upstart role. And yeah, given the theme of intrigue in 2023, anything seems on the table Wednesday — and maybe Thursday — at Charles Schwab Field.TCU was once 23-20 and had to fight for its life to save its season. The hardened purpose from that experience could be heard in the Horned Frogs voices Tuesday as they pondered the task at hand against Florida.From centerfielder Elija Nunez: “We’ve had our backs against the wall for a long time now.”And second baseman Tre Richardson: “That’s how we got here. We got back to playing like that, playing with our hair on fire.”From pitcher Kole Klecker, who allowed one run in five innings in game 1 and might be Wednesday’s starter against the Gators: “It’s what we’ve been doing all season, so it’s kind of normal to us. We like it.”And Saarloos: “We’ve been playing kind of this style or this type of game situation for six weeks. It’s just what they’ve been doing. Now that there’s a second deck on the stadium, there’s 23,000 people. I don’t think it’s changed anything.“I think they got consistent at being consistent...That’s the neat thing about coaching 18 to 22-year old kids; it’s fun when they all grab hold of it together and don’t want it to end. And I think that’s what this group is doing. They’ve got their head down, they haven’t taken a second to look up, and I think they’re enjoying what they’ve been able to do.”<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/baseball/d1/2023/cws?utm_campaign=inline-article" target="_blank">👀 See the full Men's College World Series bracket here</a>That includes winning 21 of their last 24 and quickly forgetting the shocking way their trip here began — losing to Oral Roberts 6-5 in game 1 when the Golden Eagles scored four runs in the ninth inning. That exploding cigar sentenced TCU to the trials of the loser’s bracket. It’s a hard road, but the Horned Frogs have responded by allowing only four runs and 12 hits in the two wins since over Virginia and Oral Roberts. Florida hasn’t exactly been bashing opponents, eking by with two one-run victories while hitting .215 as a team in Omaha, so there’s another opportunity for the TCU pitchers. Still, beating any SEC team here is hazardous duty and now the Horned Frogs have to do it twice in two days.But lately, they’ve refused to take no for an answer. They have not trailed by more than two runs in a game since the beginning of May. They have pushed three of the top-16 nationally seeded teams — No. 3 Arkansas, No. 14 Indiana State and No. 7 Virginia — right out of the tournament. Plus Cinderella.TCU expected to be in the middle of this, too. Saarloos mentioned in jest Tuesday how the team might have been close to its weight limit on the flight here, since everyone packed heavily because “we’re planning on being here a long time.” Bottom line, he said, his guys just love to play baseball.“Throughout this whole season we’ve probably been in every situation possible,” shortstop Anthony Silva said.Well, not this one.