WACO, Texas (AP) — The biggest game of the weekend in the Big 12 is arguably the biggest game in college basketball so far this season: No. 1 Baylor against third-ranked Kansas. The Bears have already beaten the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse and now welcome Kansas to Waco. On the women's side, second-ranked Baylor plays Oklahoma on Saturday before a quick turnaround Monday night against West Virginia. The Lady Bears are five wins away from completing a perfect conference season.

WICHITA, Kansas (AP) — Jaime Echenique tied his career high with 20 points as Wichita State defeated South Florida 65-55 and the Shockers have secured 20 wins for the 11th straight season. Echenique sank two free throws and Dennis Dexter followed with a 3-pointer as Wichita State fought out of the second of two ties midway through the final period with five unanswered points. Laquincy Rideau had 14 points and six rebounds for the Bulls.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City Royals newcomer Maikel Franco is hoping a different look will be a sign of different results this year. Franco didn't have his usual shoulder-length dreadlocks when he arrived at the spring training clubhouse. Instead, his hair was short. Franco was let go by the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting .234 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs last season. The Royals signed him to a one-year contract worth nearly $3 million. Franco is set to become the everyday third baseman for the Royals.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The health of Carlos Martinez's shoulder is even more important for the St. Louis Cardinals now that Miles Mikolas will miss the first few weeks of the season because of an inflamed flexor tendon. Shoulder weakness last spring training following off-season surgery prompted the Cardinals to shift Martinez to the bullpen. He eventually replaced injured Jordan Hicks as closer, saving 24 games in 27 chances. St. Louis has an opening for a starter in a rotation projected to include Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson and Adam Wainwright.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and miss the rest of the season. Coach Kenny Atkinson said earlier this week that the point guard was still having trouble with the shoulder that sidelined him for 26 games earlier this season. Irving said pain in the shoulder initially worsened after a game on Nov. 4 and he played for about a week before sitting out for nearly two months.

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL owners have voted to accept the negotiated terms for a new collective bargaining agreement, putting the onus on players who plan to hold a conference call today. Team representatives were summoned to New York to discuss the proposal with the league eager to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the players in the next few weeks. Among the items in that proposal are a 17-game schedule, a reduction of the preseason and an increase to the current 27% share of revenues for the players.

PHOENIX (AP) — Major League teams are 7-4 in salary arbitration after beating Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request. He hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs for the Phils last season after being acquired from Miami just before spring training.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Rory McIlroy is the leader through one round of the Mexico Championship, two strokes ahead of Bubba Watson and Justin Thomas. McIlroy eagled the par-5 11th hole and added five birdies in a 6-under 65. Bryson DeChambeau and Billy Horschel are tied with Louis Oosthuizen and Corey Connors at minus-3, while Hideki Matsuyama, Paul Casey, Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood are among six players at 2 under.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Roger Federer will miss the French Open and no fewer than three other tournaments while he is sidelined for at least four months after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion posted on Facebook yesterday that his knee had been bothering him for a while. It's only the second operation for the 38-year-old Federer. Wimbledon starts June 29.

WACO, Texas (AP) — The biggest game of the weekend in the Big 12 is arguably the biggest game in college basketball so far this season: No. 1 Baylor against third-ranked Kansas. The Bears have already beaten the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse and now welcome Kansas to Waco. On the women's side, second-ranked Baylor plays Oklahoma on Saturday before a quick turnaround Monday night against West Virginia. The Lady Bears are five wins away from completing a perfect conference season.WICHITA, Kansas (AP) — Jaime Echenique tied his career high with 20 points as Wichita State defeated South Florida 65-55 and the Shockers have secured 20 wins for the 11th straight season. Echenique sank two free throws and Dennis Dexter followed with a 3-pointer as Wichita State fought out of the second of two ties midway through the final period with five unanswered points. Laquincy Rideau had 14 points and six rebounds for the Bulls.SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City Royals newcomer Maikel Franco is hoping a different look will be a sign of different results this year. Franco didn't have his usual shoulder-length dreadlocks when he arrived at the spring training clubhouse. Instead, his hair was short. Franco was let go by the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting .234 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs last season. The Royals signed him to a one-year contract worth nearly $3 million. Franco is set to become the everyday third baseman for the Royals.JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The health of Carlos Martinez's shoulder is even more important for the St. Louis Cardinals now that Miles Mikolas will miss the first few weeks of the season because of an inflamed flexor tendon. Shoulder weakness last spring training following off-season surgery prompted the Cardinals to shift Martinez to the bullpen. He eventually replaced injured Jordan Hicks as closer, saving 24 games in 27 chances. St. Louis has an opening for a starter in a rotation projected to include Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson and Adam Wainwright.National HeadlinesNEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and miss the rest of the season. Coach Kenny Atkinson said earlier this week that the point guard was still having trouble with the shoulder that sidelined him for 26 games earlier this season. Irving said pain in the shoulder initially worsened after a game on Nov. 4 and he played for about a week before sitting out for nearly two months.NEW YORK (AP) — NFL owners have voted to accept the negotiated terms for a new collective bargaining agreement, putting the onus on players who plan to hold a conference call today. Team representatives were summoned to New York to discuss the proposal with the league eager to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the players in the next few weeks. Among the items in that proposal are a 17-game schedule, a reduction of the preseason and an increase to the current 27% share of revenues for the players.PHOENIX (AP) — Major League teams are 7-4 in salary arbitration after beating Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request. He hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs for the Phils last season after being acquired from Miami just before spring training.MEXICO CITY (AP) — Rory McIlroy is the leader through one round of the Mexico Championship, two strokes ahead of Bubba Watson and Justin Thomas. McIlroy eagled the par-5 11th hole and added five birdies in a 6-under 65. Bryson DeChambeau and Billy Horschel are tied with Louis Oosthuizen and Corey Connors at minus-3, while Hideki Matsuyama, Paul Casey, Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood are among six players at 2 under.BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Roger Federer will miss the French Open and no fewer than three other tournaments while he is sidelined for at least four months after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion posted on Facebook yesterday that his knee had been bothering him for a while. It's only the second operation for the 38-year-old Federer. Wimbledon starts June 29.Thursday ScoresTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (2)Gonzaga 71 San Francisco 54Final Arizona St. 77 (14)Oregon 72Final (18)Colorado 70 Southern Cal 66Final (20)Iowa 85 (25)Ohio St. 76Final (23)BYU 85 Santa Clara 75Final (24)Arizona 89 Oregon St. 63NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Milwaukee 126 Detroit 106Final Atlanta 129 Miami 124Final Charlotte 103 Chicago 93Final OT Philadelphia 112 Brooklyn 104Final Sacramento 129 Memphis 125Final Houston 135 Golden State 105

Friday Sports Headlines

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4213">Jaime Echenique</a>&nbsp;matched his career-high with 20 points and Wichita State reached the 20-win mark with a 65-55 victory over South Florida on Thursday evening at Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State (20-6, 8-5 American) clinched its 11th-straight 20-win season and its 22nd&nbsp;all-time.

Echenique went 4-of-8 from the field and set personal-bests with 12 free throws on 14 attempts to go with nine rebounds, four blocks and a pair of steals.

<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4219">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;added 12 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4209">Jamarius Burton</a>&nbsp;chipped in 10 points and a team-high four assists in 33 minutes.

Laquincy Rideau&nbsp;paced USF (11-15, 4-9) with 14 points, six rebounds and three steals.

A month ago in Tampa, the Shockers won a close game over USF by string together defensive stops. In Thursday's rematch, WSU again made big plays but this time on the offensive end.

The Shockers started 13-of-45 (.289) from the field but nailed six of their last nine shots.

USF rallied to tie it at 45 with 6:29 remaining but Wichita State answered with a 7-0 run.

The Shockers scored 20 points over the final six minutes, helped by 11 free throws.

Wichita State won for the sixth time this year when shooting 40 percent-or-less from the field (tied for second-most nationally). The Shockers finished at 35.2 percent but held the visitors to 36.2 percent and outscored them 21-12 at the foul line.

<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4212">Dexter Dennis</a>&nbsp;tallied three of WSU's nine steals. The Shockers forced 15 USF turnovers and committed only 11.

The Shockers missed their first six shots but recovered from an early 9-2 deficit. Echenique scored five points during a 10-0 run that gave WSU its first lead of the night, 15-11 near the 11:00-mark.

The lead changed hands six more times over the remainder of the half. Burton snapped a 27-all tie with back-to-back jumpers. Etienne's deep three-pointer capped a 7-0 Shocker run and the hosts took a five-point lead into halftime, 34-29.

Echenique led the Shockers with 12 first-half points, four blocks and two steals. Burton and Stevenson added six-each.

Justin Brown&nbsp;paced USF with eight points and two steals.&nbsp;Michael Durr&nbsp;tacked on four points and five rebounds.

Wichita State scored the first two baskets of the second half. Wade scored on a putback. Echenique founds a wide open Burton off the dribble for a dunk and a 38-29 cushion with 17:00 to play.

The Shockers missed their next nine shots, and USF capitalized with an 11-2 push.&nbsp;Antun Maricevic&nbsp;posted up for a basket with 11:45 remaining that tied the game at 40.

The teams traded blows over the next five minutes and change.

David Collins' three-pointer knotted the game at 45 for USF with six-and-a-half minutes left.

Echenique put the Shockers in front for good with a pair of free throws, then Dennis drilled a three to make it a two-possession game. Burton's driving layup stretched the margin to 52-45 with 4:00 to play.

USF countered with a basket, but Echenique converted a three-point play and added two more free throws on the Shockers next two possessions to push the lead to double-digits.

The Shockers travel to Cincinnati on Sunday for a Noon CT tip on ESPN.&nbsp;The Bearcats won the first meeting in Wichita on Feb. 6 by a score of 80-79.&nbsp;Cincinnati has won five-straight in the series, but three of those games have come down to the final possession.



WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4213">Jaime Echenique</a>&nbsp;matched his career-high with 20 points and Wichita State reached the 20-win mark with a 65-55 victory over South Florida on Thursday evening at Charles Koch Arena.Wichita State (20-6, 8-5 American) clinched its 11th-straight 20-win season and its 22nd&nbsp;all-time.Echenique went 4-of-8 from the field and set personal-bests with 12 free throws on 14 attempts to go with nine rebounds, four blocks and a pair of steals.<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4219">Tyson Etienne</a>&nbsp;added 12 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4209">Jamarius Burton</a>&nbsp;chipped in 10 points and a team-high four assists in 33 minutes.Laquincy Rideau&nbsp;paced USF (11-15, 4-9) with 14 points, six rebounds and three steals.A month ago in Tampa, the Shockers won a close game over USF by string together defensive stops. In Thursday's rematch, WSU again made big plays but this time on the offensive end.The Shockers started 13-of-45 (.289) from the field but nailed six of their last nine shots.USF rallied to tie it at 45 with 6:29 remaining but Wichita State answered with a 7-0 run.The Shockers scored 20 points over the final six minutes, helped by 11 free throws.Wichita State won for the sixth time this year when shooting 40 percent-or-less from the field (tied for second-most nationally). The Shockers finished at 35.2 percent but held the visitors to 36.2 percent and outscored them 21-12 at the foul line.<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4212">Dexter Dennis</a>&nbsp;tallied three of WSU's nine steals. The Shockers forced 15 USF turnovers and committed only 11.FIRST HALF:The Shockers missed their first six shots but recovered from an early 9-2 deficit. Echenique scored five points during a 10-0 run that gave WSU its first lead of the night, 15-11 near the 11:00-mark.The lead changed hands six more times over the remainder of the half. Burton snapped a 27-all tie with back-to-back jumpers. Etienne's deep three-pointer capped a 7-0 Shocker run and the hosts took a five-point lead into halftime, 34-29.Echenique led the Shockers with 12 first-half points, four blocks and two steals. Burton and Stevenson added six-each.Justin Brown&nbsp;paced USF with eight points and two steals.&nbsp;Michael Durr&nbsp;tacked on four points and five rebounds.SECOND HALF:Wichita State scored the first two baskets of the second half. Wade scored on a putback. Echenique founds a wide open Burton off the dribble for a dunk and a 38-29 cushion with 17:00 to play.The Shockers missed their next nine shots, and USF capitalized with an 11-2 push.&nbsp;Antun Maricevic&nbsp;posted up for a basket with 11:45 remaining that tied the game at 40.The teams traded blows over the next five minutes and change.David Collins' three-pointer knotted the game at 45 for USF with six-and-a-half minutes left.Echenique put the Shockers in front for good with a pair of free throws, then Dennis drilled a three to make it a two-possession game. Burton's driving layup stretched the margin to 52-45 with 4:00 to play.USF countered with a basket, but Echenique converted a three-point play and added two more free throws on the Shockers next two possessions to push the lead to double-digits.NOTABLE:<ol>
 <li>Wichita State clinched its 11th-straight 20-win season. The Shockers' streak is one of the nation's longest active. Kansas (31, Duke (24, Gonzaga (23, Kentucky (15, Saint Mary's (13) and Vermont (12) have all extended their own streaks this year. North Carolina's run of 15-straight is in jeopardy.</li><li>Marshall reached the 20-win mark for the 17th&nbsp;time in his 22 years as a head coach (11 at WSU, six at Winthrop).</li><li>Etienne and Burton each recorded their first dunks of the seasons. It was Burton's second career slam and Etienne's first.</li><li>With four blocks Echenique (83 career) moved into 12th&nbsp;on WSU's career list, jumping&nbsp;Carl Hall&nbsp;(81 from 2011-13) and&nbsp;Terry Benton&nbsp;(82 from 1969-72).</li><li>Etienne's 54th&nbsp;three-pointer ties him for fourth on WSU's freshman list with Dennis, who hit 54 last year.</li><li>Echenique became the fourth-different Shocker to top 20 points in the last three games. Stevenson had 27 at UCF (Feb. 13, Dennis scored 21 to go with 20 from Etienne in the Feb. 16 victory over USF.</li><li>The Shockers improved to 15-2 at home this year (14-2 at Charles Koch Arena).</li><li>Wichita State swept the regular season series from USF and improved to 3-1 all-time against the Bulls – all since 2018.</li>
 </ol>UP NEXT:&nbsp;The Shockers travel to Cincinnati on Sunday for a Noon CT tip on ESPN.&nbsp;The Bearcats won the first meeting in Wichita on Feb. 6 by a score of 80-79.&nbsp;Cincinnati has won five-straight in the series, but three of those games have come down to the final possession.

Shockers Clinch 11th-Straight 20-Win Season

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State University’s Nate Dreiling is making the move from Division II football to the Pac-12.

The former Gorilla linebacker and 2011 Division II National Defensive Player of the Year previously served as Pitt State’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He heads to Eugene, Or., where he will be the Ducks newest defensive assistant.&nbsp;

Dreiling played five seasons for the Gorillas between 2009-2013 and was also a member of the 2011 national championship team. The 2011 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and most recently experienced a short stint with the Omaha Mammoths of the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) before returning to Pitt State.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State University’s Nate Dreiling is making the move from Division II football to the Pac-12.The former Gorilla linebacker and 2011 Division II National Defensive Player of the Year previously served as Pitt State’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He heads to Eugene, Or., where he will be the Ducks newest defensive assistant.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERP4iZQW4AAD9a2?format=jpg&amp;name=medium" alt="Excited to announce that I will be coaching at The University of Oregon&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DUCKS?src=hash">#DUCKS</a>" />
 <figcaption>Excited to announce that I will be coaching at The University of Oregon&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DUCKS?src=hash">#DUCKS</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling played five seasons for the Gorillas between 2009-2013 and was also a member of the 2011 national championship team. The 2011 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and most recently experienced a short stint with the Omaha Mammoths of the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) before returning to Pitt State.

Former Salthawk named defensive assistant at Oregon

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GREAT BEND – Overtime has not been good to the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team in 2020.

With 3:48 to play in overtime on Wednesday at Barton, the Dragons trailed the Cougars by four points. But five-straight Hutch points – a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/okon_jaden_bnxo">Jaden Okon</a>&nbsp;putback and a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/mitchell_d.j._eej6">D.J. Mitchell</a>&nbsp;3-pointer – gave new life to the Blue Dragons, which finally prevailed in overtime for the first time in four chances this season.

<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/baker_josh_xj07">Josh Baker</a>&nbsp;scored nine points and Mitchell added five in overtime along to power the Blue Dragons to a 96-91 victory over the Cougars.

The Blue Dragons, now 21-8 overall, 12-8 Jayhawk West, clinch a home game for the opening-round of the Region VI Tournament that begins next Wednesday. The victory also avenges a 102-95 overtime loss to the Cougars at the Sports Arena on January 29.

Just like that January 29 meeting, Barton had to come up with some last-second heroics to force overtime.

After a Baker completed a three-point play with 36.2 seconds to play in regulation gave the Dragons a 76-73 lead, Barton's Diovante Caldwell tied the game with 10.5 seconds left by hitting three free throws after being fouled. Once in overtime, Barton led 83-79 after a Jaheim Holden layup with 3:48 remaining.

Needing a spark to turn the momentum, Okon provided that with a hustle play to battle for and grab an offensive rebound. He scored on the follow with 3:36 to play. After a Barton turnover, Mitchell buried a 3-pointer with 2:59 left for a 5-0 Hutch run and an 85-84 lead.

The lead changed hands three more times and was tied at 91 with 33 seconds remaining. Still tied with 9.0 seconds left, Baker made the second of two free throws for a 92-91 lead. Barton immediately pushed the ball up the floor and Caldwell was whistled for an offensive foul with 3.0 seconds remaining. Seconds after that, at technical foul was assessed to the Barton bench.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/brown_tyler_348p">Tyler Brown</a>&nbsp;it two free throws for a 94-91 lead. Mitchell was fouled and added two more free throws with 2 seconds left for a 96-91 lead.

Hutchinson outscored Barton 20-15 in overtime hitting 6 of 10 shots and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Mitchell led the Blue Dragons with 19 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers, to lead the Blue Dragons. Baker had 18 points and a career-high eight assists.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/brown_tyler_348p">Tyler Brown</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/kuath_majok_5e4f">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;finished with 13 points each and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/ursery_josh_737k">Josh Ursery</a>&nbsp;had 12 points.

The Blue Dragons shot 54.4 percent for the game (37 of 68, going 7 of 18 from 3-point range and 15 of 22 from the foul line. The Dragons had to overcome 24 turnovers and a 40-38 Barton rebound advantage.

Anthony Atkinson-Enneking had 20 points to lead Barton. Keandre Bowles and Mavrick Gildyard had 18 points each. The Cougars shot 43.7 percent (31 of 71, going 7 of 14 from 3-point range and 22 of 32 from the foul line. Barton had 22 turnovers.

Both teams had to made significant comebacks in regulation.

An Ursery 3-pointer capped a 14-3 Dragon run in the first half that gave Hutchinson a 26-14 lead with 7:48 to play. Still leading by nine points with 1:12 to play in the half, Hutch was outscored 7-0 to close the half. Holden's layup with 2 seconds remaining cut the Dragon lead to 40-38 at halftime.

Barton finally grabbed its first lead of the second half with 14:52 to go and built leads as large as five twice. Trailing 54-49 with a little more than 11 minutes to play, a Mitchell 3-point shot capped an 8-3 run to give the Dragons a 57-56 lead with 9:37 remaining in regulation.

From that point, there were four lead changes and four ties down the stretch.

The Blue Dragons will play host to Seward County at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the 2020 regular-season finale.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 1-3 in overtime games this season and are 21-6 in overtime in the Steve Eck era. … The Dragons are now 88-28 all-time against Barton, 34-13 in Great Bend and 4-2 in overtime. … This was the first time in series history that both regular-season meetings went to overtime. …&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/mitchell_d.j._eej6">D.J. Mitchell</a>&nbsp;is now alone in seventh place on the Blue Dragon career 3-point list with 113. … The 37 made field goals tied a season high for the Dragons. … The Blue Dragons finished 5-5 in true road games this season. … This was the 15th time this season that the Blue Dragons scored at least 90 points and it was the 17th time that Hutch shot 50 percent or better in a game.

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationGREAT BEND – Overtime has not been good to the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team in 2020.With 3:48 to play in overtime on Wednesday at Barton, the Dragons trailed the Cougars by four points. But five-straight Hutch points – a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/okon_jaden_bnxo">Jaden Okon</a>&nbsp;putback and a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/mitchell_d.j._eej6">D.J. Mitchell</a>&nbsp;3-pointer – gave new life to the Blue Dragons, which finally prevailed in overtime for the first time in four chances this season.<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/baker_josh_xj07">Josh Baker</a>&nbsp;scored nine points and Mitchell added five in overtime along to power the Blue Dragons to a 96-91 victory over the Cougars.The Blue Dragons, now 21-8 overall, 12-8 Jayhawk West, clinch a home game for the opening-round of the Region VI Tournament that begins next Wednesday. The victory also avenges a 102-95 overtime loss to the Cougars at the Sports Arena on January 29.Just like that January 29 meeting, Barton had to come up with some last-second heroics to force overtime.After a Baker completed a three-point play with 36.2 seconds to play in regulation gave the Dragons a 76-73 lead, Barton's Diovante Caldwell tied the game with 10.5 seconds left by hitting three free throws after being fouled. Once in overtime, Barton led 83-79 after a Jaheim Holden layup with 3:48 remaining.Needing a spark to turn the momentum, Okon provided that with a hustle play to battle for and grab an offensive rebound. He scored on the follow with 3:36 to play. After a Barton turnover, Mitchell buried a 3-pointer with 2:59 left for a 5-0 Hutch run and an 85-84 lead.The lead changed hands three more times and was tied at 91 with 33 seconds remaining. Still tied with 9.0 seconds left, Baker made the second of two free throws for a 92-91 lead. Barton immediately pushed the ball up the floor and Caldwell was whistled for an offensive foul with 3.0 seconds remaining. Seconds after that, at technical foul was assessed to the Barton bench.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/brown_tyler_348p">Tyler Brown</a>&nbsp;it two free throws for a 94-91 lead. Mitchell was fouled and added two more free throws with 2 seconds left for a 96-91 lead.Hutchinson outscored Barton 20-15 in overtime hitting 6 of 10 shots and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.Mitchell led the Blue Dragons with 19 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers, to lead the Blue Dragons. Baker had 18 points and a career-high eight assists.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/brown_tyler_348p">Tyler Brown</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/kuath_majok_5e4f">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;finished with 13 points each and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/ursery_josh_737k">Josh Ursery</a>&nbsp;had 12 points.The Blue Dragons shot 54.4 percent for the game (37 of 68, going 7 of 18 from 3-point range and 15 of 22 from the foul line. The Dragons had to overcome 24 turnovers and a 40-38 Barton rebound advantage.Anthony Atkinson-Enneking had 20 points to lead Barton. Keandre Bowles and Mavrick Gildyard had 18 points each. The Cougars shot 43.7 percent (31 of 71, going 7 of 14 from 3-point range and 22 of 32 from the foul line. Barton had 22 turnovers.Both teams had to made significant comebacks in regulation.An Ursery 3-pointer capped a 14-3 Dragon run in the first half that gave Hutchinson a 26-14 lead with 7:48 to play. Still leading by nine points with 1:12 to play in the half, Hutch was outscored 7-0 to close the half. Holden's layup with 2 seconds remaining cut the Dragon lead to 40-38 at halftime.Barton finally grabbed its first lead of the second half with 14:52 to go and built leads as large as five twice. Trailing 54-49 with a little more than 11 minutes to play, a Mitchell 3-point shot capped an 8-3 run to give the Dragons a 57-56 lead with 9:37 remaining in regulation.From that point, there were four lead changes and four ties down the stretch.The Blue Dragons will play host to Seward County at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the 2020 regular-season finale.GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 1-3 in overtime games this season and are 21-6 in overtime in the Steve Eck era. … The Dragons are now 88-28 all-time against Barton, 34-13 in Great Bend and 4-2 in overtime. … This was the first time in series history that both regular-season meetings went to overtime. …&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/bios/mitchell_d.j._eej6">D.J. Mitchell</a>&nbsp;is now alone in seventh place on the Blue Dragon career 3-point list with 113. … The 37 made field goals tied a season high for the Dragons. … The Blue Dragons finished 5-5 in true road games this season. … This was the 15th time this season that the Blue Dragons scored at least 90 points and it was the 17th time that Hutch shot 50 percent or better in a game.

Blue Dragons prevail in OT at Barton, Clinch Home Game

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GREAT BEND – After two straight sub-par offensive games, the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team found its offensive touch Wednesday night at Barton Community College.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/alford_tor-e_vqep">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;led a barrage of 13 3-pointers against the Cougars as the 12th-ranked Blue Dragons maintained their share of the lead in the Jayhawk West with an 86-67 victory over Barton at the Barton Gym.

The Blue Dragons improve to 26-3 and remain tied for first in the Jayhawk West at 18-2. Hutchinson will now play Seward County at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with the winner claiming the 2020 Jayhawk West championship. Barton is now in a three-way tie for third in the league at 10-10. The Cougars are 14-15 overall.

Alford hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in nine attempts to power the Blue Dragons' offensive resurgence. Alford scored a career-high 24 points.

Alford's first 3-pointer gave the Blue Dragons a quick 20-8 lead with 2:41 to play in the first quarter. She was 3 for 3 from distance in the first half as the Blue Dragons raced out to a 46-27 lead at halftime. Her final three 3-pointers game in the first 2:40 of the fourth quarter and helped Hutchinson extend a 15-point lead after three periods to a 74-51 lead with 7:19 to play in the game.

Hutch's 13 3-pointers tie for fifth-most in single-game history and ties for the second-most 3-pointers in a game this season. The 2020 Blue Dragons move up to third place on the all-time 3-point team list with 231. Alford's seven treys marks the 13th time in team history a player has had at least seven 3-pointers in a game. She matches&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/vannett_makayla_q30y">Makayla Vannett</a>&nbsp;for the most individual 3-pointers in a game this season.

Vannett knocked down 4 3-pointers against Barton to move her career total to 180 and her season total to 86.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/francis_sasha_nod4">Sasha Francis</a>&nbsp;added 3-pointers.

The Blue Dragons shot 52.5 percent overall (31 of 59) in the victory. Hutch also hit 11 of 15 free throws and owned a 37-31 rebounding advantage. The Dragons had 23 assists –&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/mapusua_lauryn_0xtt">Lauryn Mapusua</a>&nbsp;tied a career high with eight assists to lead the Dragons – on 31 made baskets.

Center Brooklyn Bethem posted her third-straight double-double and seventh of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Vannett finished with 12 points and four steals. Mapusua had eight points and Ogle returned to the line-up and contributed seven points, six rebounds and six assists.

The Blue Dragons limited Barton to 37.5 percent shooting (21 of 56, only 8 of 27 in the first half. The Cougars were 7 of 21 from 3-point range and 18 of 24 from the free-throw line.

Vanessa Oduah had 22 points on 9 of 18 shooting with seven rebounds to lead the Cougars. D'Shonda Hunt scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half. Queen Olabo also had 14 points and Richelle Turney had 11, but on 3 of 15 shooting.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons won their 11th consecutive game over Barton and now trail in the all-time series 54-39. … Hutch earned all-time win No. 1,002. … This was Hutch's sixth game this season with 10 or more 3-poiners, third with 13 or more. … The Blue Dragons went 9-2 in road games this season.

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationGREAT BEND – After two straight sub-par offensive games, the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team found its offensive touch Wednesday night at Barton Community College.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/alford_tor-e_vqep">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;led a barrage of 13 3-pointers against the Cougars as the 12th-ranked Blue Dragons maintained their share of the lead in the Jayhawk West with an 86-67 victory over Barton at the Barton Gym.The Blue Dragons improve to 26-3 and remain tied for first in the Jayhawk West at 18-2. Hutchinson will now play Seward County at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with the winner claiming the 2020 Jayhawk West championship. Barton is now in a three-way tie for third in the league at 10-10. The Cougars are 14-15 overall.Alford hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in nine attempts to power the Blue Dragons' offensive resurgence. Alford scored a career-high 24 points.Alford's first 3-pointer gave the Blue Dragons a quick 20-8 lead with 2:41 to play in the first quarter. She was 3 for 3 from distance in the first half as the Blue Dragons raced out to a 46-27 lead at halftime. Her final three 3-pointers game in the first 2:40 of the fourth quarter and helped Hutchinson extend a 15-point lead after three periods to a 74-51 lead with 7:19 to play in the game.Hutch's 13 3-pointers tie for fifth-most in single-game history and ties for the second-most 3-pointers in a game this season. The 2020 Blue Dragons move up to third place on the all-time 3-point team list with 231. Alford's seven treys marks the 13th time in team history a player has had at least seven 3-pointers in a game. She matches&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/vannett_makayla_q30y">Makayla Vannett</a>&nbsp;for the most individual 3-pointers in a game this season.Vannett knocked down 4 3-pointers against Barton to move her career total to 180 and her season total to 86.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/francis_sasha_nod4">Sasha Francis</a>&nbsp;added 3-pointers.The Blue Dragons shot 52.5 percent overall (31 of 59) in the victory. Hutch also hit 11 of 15 free throws and owned a 37-31 rebounding advantage. The Dragons had 23 assists –&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/mapusua_lauryn_0xtt">Lauryn Mapusua</a>&nbsp;tied a career high with eight assists to lead the Dragons – on 31 made baskets.Center Brooklyn Bethem posted her third-straight double-double and seventh of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Vannett finished with 12 points and four steals. Mapusua had eight points and Ogle returned to the line-up and contributed seven points, six rebounds and six assists.The Blue Dragons limited Barton to 37.5 percent shooting (21 of 56, only 8 of 27 in the first half. The Cougars were 7 of 21 from 3-point range and 18 of 24 from the free-throw line.Vanessa Oduah had 22 points on 9 of 18 shooting with seven rebounds to lead the Cougars. D'Shonda Hunt scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half. Queen Olabo also had 14 points and Richelle Turney had 11, but on 3 of 15 shooting.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons won their 11th consecutive game over Barton and now trail in the all-time series 54-39. … Hutch earned all-time win No. 1,002. … This was Hutch's sixth game this season with 10 or more 3-poiners, third with 13 or more. … The Blue Dragons went 9-2 in road games this season.

Blue Dragon women blister Barton with 13 3-Pointers

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Thursday

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Davide Moretti scored 18 points, including a 3-pointer right after Cartier Diarra missed an easy breakaway dunk that would have tied the score midway through the second half, and Texas Tech beat Kansas State 69-62. Freshman Jahmi'us Ramsey had 17 points for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech kept sole possession of third place in the Big 12, a game ahead of No. 17 West Virginia. Xavier Sneed had 15 points for the last-place Wildcats. Kansas State's six-game losing streak is its longest since 2005.&nbsp;

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Fred and Jack Hoiberg will be on opposite benches when Nebraska hosts Michigan State on Thursday night. Fred is in his first year as the Cornhuskers' coach. His son Jack is a reserve guard for the Spartans. Fred and Jack both say it is going to feel weird being on opposite benches. Jack has appeared in 12 games, usually when the Spartans have a big lead. He should have a chance to play against a Nebraska team that's lost 10 in a row. Jack never seriously considered transferring to Nebraska after his father was hired last spring.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Devonte Graham has gone from part-time G League player a season ago to a leading candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. The Charlotte Hornets' second-year guard is averaging 18.1 points and 7.8 assists while playing 35 minutes per game. That's a dramatic improvement over last year's rookie season when he averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 assists in 14 minutes per game playing behind Kemba Walker and Tony Parker. Graham entered the All-Star break fifth in the league in 3-pointers made with 190.&nbsp;Hornets owner Michael Jordan is pleased with Graham's development, saying he's "shocked everyone."

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — NFL offensive tackle Greg Robinson have been jailed in West Texas after federal officials said they found 157 pounds of marijuana in a car in which he and another man were riding. A federal criminal complaint accuses the 27-year-old Robinson and 27-year-old Jaquan Bray of conspiracy to marijuana possession conspiracy. The complaint says the pair were driving from Los Angeles to Louisiana when the Border Patrol stopped them Monday night and found several large duffel bags of marijuana in their sport utility vehicle. Robinson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Giles tossed in 17 points and Missouri-Kansas City turned back California Baptist 69-63. Giles knocked down 7 of 11 shots from the floor, including both of his 3-pointers, for the Kangaroos (14-14, 6-7 Western Athletic Conference). Milan Acquaah topped the Lancers (18-8, 7-4) with 22 points, but he made just 6 of 17 shots, including 1 of 10 from beyond the 3-point arc.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Roman Penn scored 18 points, including a jumper that put his team on top for good in overtime, as Drake narrowly beat Valparaiso 77-75 on Wednesday night. Mileek McMillan led the Crusaders on Wednesday night with a career-high 20 points.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated PressLUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Davide Moretti scored 18 points, including a 3-pointer right after Cartier Diarra missed an easy breakaway dunk that would have tied the score midway through the second half, and Texas Tech beat Kansas State 69-62. Freshman Jahmi'us Ramsey had 17 points for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech kept sole possession of third place in the Big 12, a game ahead of No. 17 West Virginia. Xavier Sneed had 15 points for the last-place Wildcats. Kansas State's six-game losing streak is its longest since 2005.&nbsp;LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Fred and Jack Hoiberg will be on opposite benches when Nebraska hosts Michigan State on Thursday night. Fred is in his first year as the Cornhuskers' coach. His son Jack is a reserve guard for the Spartans. Fred and Jack both say it is going to feel weird being on opposite benches. Jack has appeared in 12 games, usually when the Spartans have a big lead. He should have a chance to play against a Nebraska team that's lost 10 in a row. Jack never seriously considered transferring to Nebraska after his father was hired last spring.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Devonte Graham has gone from part-time G League player a season ago to a leading candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. The Charlotte Hornets' second-year guard is averaging 18.1 points and 7.8 assists while playing 35 minutes per game. That's a dramatic improvement over last year's rookie season when he averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 assists in 14 minutes per game playing behind Kemba Walker and Tony Parker. Graham entered the All-Star break fifth in the league in 3-pointers made with 190.&nbsp;Hornets owner Michael Jordan is pleased with Graham's development, saying he's "shocked everyone."EL PASO, Texas (AP) — NFL offensive tackle Greg Robinson have been jailed in West Texas after federal officials said they found 157 pounds of marijuana in a car in which he and another man were riding. A federal criminal complaint accuses the 27-year-old Robinson and 27-year-old Jaquan Bray of conspiracy to marijuana possession conspiracy. The complaint says the pair were driving from Los Angeles to Louisiana when the Border Patrol stopped them Monday night and found several large duffel bags of marijuana in their sport utility vehicle. Robinson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Giles tossed in 17 points and Missouri-Kansas City turned back California Baptist 69-63. Giles knocked down 7 of 11 shots from the floor, including both of his 3-pointers, for the Kangaroos (14-14, 6-7 Western Athletic Conference). Milan Acquaah topped the Lancers (18-8, 7-4) with 22 points, but he made just 6 of 17 shots, including 1 of 10 from beyond the 3-point arc.DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Roman Penn scored 18 points, including a jumper that put his team on top for good in overtime, as Drake narrowly beat Valparaiso 77-75 on Wednesday night. Mileek McMillan led the Crusaders on Wednesday night with a career-high 20 points.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal	N-Y Rangers	6	Chicago	3Final	Dallas	3	Arizona	2Final OT	Boston	2	Edmonton	1Final	Florida	4	Anaheim	1Final	Colorado	3	N-Y Islanders	1Final SO	Minnesota	4	Vancouver	3___TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal	NC State	88	(6)Duke	66Final	(11)Louisville	90	Syracuse	66Final	(12)Villanova	91	DePaul	71Final	Georgia	65	(13)Auburn	55Final	(16)Seton Hall	74	(21)Butler	72Final	(22)Houston	76	Tulsa	43___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Milwaukee	at	Detroit	7 p.m.		Miami	at	Atlanta	7:30 p.m.		Brooklyn	at	Philadelphia	8 p.m.		Charlotte	at	Chicago	8 p.m.		Memphis	at	Sacramento	10 p.m.		Houston	at	Golden State	10:30 p.m.___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE		Montreal	at	Washington	7 p.m.		Philadelphia	at	Columbus	7 p.m.		Pittsburgh	at	Toronto	7 p.m.		San Jose	at	New Jersey	7 p.m.		Winnipeg	at	Ottawa	7:30 p.m.		Arizona	at	St. Louis	8 p.m.		Tampa Bay	at	Vegas	10 p.m.		Florida	at	Los Angeles	10:30 p.m.___TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL		San Francisco	at	(2)Gonzaga	11 p.m.		(14)Oregon	at	Arizona St.	9 p.m.		Southern Cal	at	(18)Colorado	9 p.m.		(25)Ohio St.	at	(20)Iowa	7 p.m.		Santa Clara	at	(23)BYU	9 p.m.		Oregon St.	at	(24)Arizona	8 p.m.___

Thursday Sports Headlines

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The Hutchinson Blue Dragon Women set the stage for a big showdown on Saturday at the sports arena with a 86-67 win over the Barton Cougar Women's team on Wednesday in front of a capacity crowd in Great Bend.

Tor'e Alford led Hutchinson in scoring with a career high 24 point including 7 treys on 7-9 shooting from outside the arc.&nbsp; Brooklyn had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Makayla Vannett added 12 points and Lauryn Mapasua added 11 in the win.

The Men's game was a little more exciting as the Blue Dragons won in overtime 96-91.

After the game was tied in regulation 76-76, both teams stayed within a point of each other exchanging leads and ties throughout the overtime period.

Saquan Singleton took a charge with 3.0 seconds to go after a Josh Baker free throw had given Hutch the lead 92-91.&nbsp; A technical foul was called on Barton's head coach Craig Fletchall&nbsp; for bumping into an official and Tyler Brown's two free throws plus a quick foul by Barton let to DJ Mitchell sealing the win with two free throws to seal the overtime victory 96-91.

Final seconds of overtime as Hutchinson gets the defensive stop:

Both Hutchinson vs Barton match ups went overtime this year with Barton winning in Hutchinson on January 29th 102-95.

Hutchinson finishes the regular portion of the season's schedule by hosting Seward County on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Full stories of the Blue Dragon victories will follow later today.

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The Hutchinson Blue Dragon Women set the stage for a big showdown on Saturday at the sports arena with a 86-67 win over the Barton Cougar Women's team on Wednesday in front of a capacity crowd in Great Bend.Tor'e Alford led Hutchinson in scoring with a career high 24 point including 7 treys on 7-9 shooting from outside the arc.&nbsp; Brooklyn had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Makayla Vannett added 12 points and Lauryn Mapasua added 11 in the win.The Men's game was a little more exciting as the Blue Dragons won in overtime 96-91.After the game was tied in regulation 76-76, both teams stayed within a point of each other exchanging leads and ties throughout the overtime period.Saquan Singleton took a charge with 3.0 seconds to go after a Josh Baker free throw had given Hutch the lead 92-91.&nbsp; A technical foul was called on Barton's head coach Craig Fletchall&nbsp; for bumping into an official and Tyler Brown's two free throws plus a quick foul by Barton let to DJ Mitchell sealing the win with two free throws to seal the overtime victory 96-91.Final seconds of overtime as Hutchinson gets the defensive stop:<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/763694044&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe></div>Both Hutchinson vs Barton match ups went overtime this year with Barton winning in Hutchinson on January 29th 102-95.Hutchinson finishes the regular portion of the season's schedule by hosting Seward County on Saturday at the Sports Arena.Full stories of the Blue Dragon victories will follow later today.

Blue Dragons take two from Barton; Men win in OT

BY GREG ECHLIN -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/k-state-lineman-could-be-first-out-gay-player-make-nfl-roster#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

Scott Frantz has been quietly preparing for what lies ahead since Kansas State’s football season ended at a bowl game on Dec. 31. It’s a future that could change NFL history.

Frantz, an offensive lineman from Lawrence, is gay. His teammates and the Wildcat faithful have known that for three years. But not since Mizzou’s Michael Sam has a college football player been out publicly before seeking a pro career.&nbsp;

“If you show up and you’re a good guy and you work hard and you play well, that’s all that matters,” Frantz told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/article239026563.html">Fort Worth Star-Telegram</a>&nbsp;in January during a gathering of NFL prospects. “No one gives a crap about the other stuff.”

Since that interview, Frantz has shut down other requests. It doesn’t mean, however, that he won’t be asked about his sexuality by NFL teams in the coming weeks leading up to the late April draft.&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State offensive line coach Conor Riley said Frantz is braced for the inquiries.

“It is going to come up. Scott and I have discussed that,” Riley said. “But (neither) Scott nor any football team should allow that to be any type of distraction for him continuing to go out, compete and produce on the football field.”&nbsp;

Frantz, 6-foot-5 and about 300 pounds, began his K-State career in 2016. He became the first freshman to start every game at left tackle since the Bill Snyder coaching era began in 1989. By his senior year, 2019, he was voted second-team All Big 12 tackle and ended his college career 51 straight starts at left tackle — the most of any player among five major football conferences (Big 12, SEC, Pac 12, ACC and Big Ten).

Frantz’s senior-season play, not his personal story, drew the attention of his now-agent, Brett Tessler, who is based in Florida.&nbsp;

Brett Tessler is Scott Frantz's agent, and says it'd be a "great honor" for an NFL team to have the first openly gay player. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3

“I swear to God,” Tessler said, “when I decided I was going to reach out to him, when I first reached out to him, it totally slipped my mind that he was the guy that I heard about a few years ago — whenever it was when he came out — that he was the gay guy.”&nbsp;

Tessler believes an NFL team would benefit from taking a chance on Frantz.

“I think it would be a great honor for them,” he said. “I think it would be great publicity for them to have somebody who ended up becoming the first ever in the history of the NFL.”

Sam came close. He was drafted by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2014. His presence at training camp led to a media circus, but former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Ryan O’Callaghan said that wasn’t the reason Sam didn’t play a snap in the NFL.

“His play on the field didn’t speak louder than the media,” O’Callaghan said. “I’ll leave it at that.”

O’Callaghan is gay, but didn’t come out publicly until his playing days were over. After retiring, he wrote a book called “My Life on the Line: How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me and Ended Up Saving My Life.”

O’Callaghan said Frantz is entering a more accepting environment in the NFL. Some former players&nbsp;<a href="https://www.outsports.com/2019/9/5/20850457/nfl-history-gay-bi-players">have come out&nbsp;</a>recently, too.

“I’ve had several meetings with the NFL specifically and I’ve heard from a lot of closeted athletes,” he said. “I’ve also seen quite a few other athletes that have felt open enough to actually come out and live their life while they’re still playing.”&nbsp;

While he didn’t go public during his career, O’Callaghan did tell someone in the Chiefs organization: then-general manager Scott Pioli. In Pioli’s opinion, teams should ask Frantz about his sexuality, but not “about his lifestyle and what he’s doing, where he’s going.”&nbsp;

“Ask him, ‘If we’re going to make this work, how do we make this work?’” Pioli said. “Clearly it’s worked well at K-State.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582143575795.jpeg" alt="Kansas State offensive lineman Scott Frantz (center) during a 2019 game against West Virginia. K-State Sports" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State offensive lineman Scott Frantz (center) during a 2019 game against West Virginia. K-State Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>BY GREG ECHLIN -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/k-state-lineman-could-be-first-out-gay-player-make-nfl-roster#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>Scott Frantz has been quietly preparing for what lies ahead since Kansas State’s football season ended at a bowl game on Dec. 31. It’s a future that could change NFL history.Frantz, an offensive lineman from Lawrence, is gay. His teammates and the Wildcat faithful have known that for three years. But not since Mizzou’s Michael Sam has a college football player been out publicly before seeking a pro career.&nbsp;“If you show up and you’re a good guy and you work hard and you play well, that’s all that matters,” Frantz told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/article239026563.html">Fort Worth Star-Telegram</a>&nbsp;in January during a gathering of NFL prospects. “No one gives a crap about the other stuff.”Since that interview, Frantz has shut down other requests. It doesn’t mean, however, that he won’t be asked about his sexuality by NFL teams in the coming weeks leading up to the late April draft.&nbsp;&nbsp;K-State offensive line coach Conor Riley said Frantz is braced for the inquiries.“It is going to come up. Scott and I have discussed that,” Riley said. “But (neither) Scott nor any football team should allow that to be any type of distraction for him continuing to go out, compete and produce on the football field.”&nbsp;Frantz, 6-foot-5 and about 300 pounds, began his K-State career in 2016. He became the first freshman to start every game at left tackle since the Bill Snyder coaching era began in 1989. By his senior year, 2019, he was voted second-team All Big 12 tackle and ended his college career 51 straight starts at left tackle — the most of any player among five major football conferences (Big 12, SEC, Pac 12, ACC and Big Ten).Frantz’s senior-season play, not his personal story, drew the attention of his now-agent, Brett Tessler, who is based in Florida.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582143692671.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brett Tessler is Scott Frantz's agent, and says it'd be a "great honor" for an NFL team to have the first openly gay player. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3“I swear to God,” Tessler said, “when I decided I was going to reach out to him, when I first reached out to him, it totally slipped my mind that he was the guy that I heard about a few years ago — whenever it was when he came out — that he was the gay guy.”&nbsp;Tessler believes an NFL team would benefit from taking a chance on Frantz.“I think it would be a great honor for them,” he said. “I think it would be great publicity for them to have somebody who ended up becoming the first ever in the history of the NFL.”Sam came close. He was drafted by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2014. His presence at training camp led to a media circus, but former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Ryan O’Callaghan said that wasn’t the reason Sam didn’t play a snap in the NFL.“His play on the field didn’t speak louder than the media,” O’Callaghan said. “I’ll leave it at that.”O’Callaghan is gay, but didn’t come out publicly until his playing days were over. After retiring, he wrote a book called “My Life on the Line: How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me and Ended Up Saving My Life.”O’Callaghan said Frantz is entering a more accepting environment in the NFL. Some former players&nbsp;<a href="https://www.outsports.com/2019/9/5/20850457/nfl-history-gay-bi-players">have come out&nbsp;</a>recently, too.“I’ve had several meetings with the NFL specifically and I’ve heard from a lot of closeted athletes,” he said. “I’ve also seen quite a few other athletes that have felt open enough to actually come out and live their life while they’re still playing.”&nbsp;While he didn’t go public during his career, O’Callaghan did tell someone in the Chiefs organization: then-general manager Scott Pioli. In Pioli’s opinion, teams should ask Frantz about his sexuality, but not “about his lifestyle and what he’s doing, where he’s going.”&nbsp;“Ask him, ‘If we’re going to make this work, how do we make this work?’” Pioli said. “Clearly it’s worked well at K-State.”

K-State lineman could be first openly gay player to make NFL roster

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Jared Butler scored 22 points and No. 1 Baylor beat Oklahoma 65-54 for its Big 12-record 23rd consecutive win. Baylor broke a tie with Kansas, which won 22 straight during the 1996-97 season. Mark Vital had 10 points and Freddie Gillespie grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bears. Baylor guard MaCio Teague, the team's leading scorer in Big 12 play, sat out for the second straight game with a wrist injury. Kristian Doolittle had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma. The Sooners hosted a No. 1 team for the first time in 23 years.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Miles McBride had 11 points in his first start, Sean McNeil also scored 11 and No. 17 West Virginia took over early in the second half to beat Oklahoma State 65-47, snapping a three-game losing streak. The win gave coach Bob Huggins his 879th career victory, tying North Carolina's Dean Smith for sixth all-time in Division I. Oklahoma State led 33-28 at halftime but was limited to 14 points in the second half. Cameron McGriff scored 19 for the Cowboys.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Baylor's Kim Mulkey became the fastest Division I men's or women's coach to 600 wins, reaching the milestone when Juicy Landrum scored 19 points to lift the No. 2 Lady Bears to a 77-62 victory over Texas Tech. The Lady Bears broke open a tie game by scoring the first seven points of the fourth quarter. Baylor extended a pair of Big 12 records with its 54th consecutive league win and 43rd straight road victory in conference play. Mulkey earned her 600th win in her 700th game, four games faster than Adolph Rupp with the Kentucky men.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has hired Jonathan Wallace to coach special teams and running backs, completing an overhaul of coach Les Miles' staff as the Jayhawks head into Year 2 of the former national championship-winning coach's regime. Miles announced the hiring in a statement Tuesday. Wallace spent last season coaching tight ends at Air Force, and he spent the previous season at Bethel, a Division III school in Minnesota where he worked with recently promoted offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon.

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is moving toward allowing all Division I athletes to transfer one time without sitting out a season of competition. A plan to change the waiver process is expected to be presented to the Division I Council in April. If adopted, new criteria would go into effect for the 2020-21 academic year. Currently, football, men's and women's basketball, men's hockey and baseball players must sit out one season after transferring. The NCAA adjusted waiver criteria two years ago to give more athletes the chance to become immediately eligible, but that has led to complaints about inconsistency in the process. If the plan is adopted, any athlete in good academic standing and not facing a disciplinary suspension will be allowed to transfer and play immediately for the new school.

UNDATED (AP) — Jalen Crutcher scored 18 points and No. 5 Dayton picked up its 15th straight victory by downing VCU, 66-61. Jalen Smith dropped in 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as seventh-ranked Maryland held off Northwestern, 76-67 to take a two-game lead in the Big Ten Conference at 12-3. Eighth-ranked Florida State was an 82-67 winner against Pittsburgh as freshman Patrick Williams contributed 16 points and Anthony Polite added 10 with six rebounds.

Final (17)West Virginia 65 Oklahoma St. 47

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Jared Butler scored 22 points and No. 1 Baylor beat Oklahoma 65-54 for its Big 12-record 23rd consecutive win. Baylor broke a tie with Kansas, which won 22 straight during the 1996-97 season. Mark Vital had 10 points and Freddie Gillespie grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bears. Baylor guard MaCio Teague, the team's leading scorer in Big 12 play, sat out for the second straight game with a wrist injury. Kristian Doolittle had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma. The Sooners hosted a No. 1 team for the first time in 23 years.MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Miles McBride had 11 points in his first start, Sean McNeil also scored 11 and No. 17 West Virginia took over early in the second half to beat Oklahoma State 65-47, snapping a three-game losing streak. The win gave coach Bob Huggins his 879th career victory, tying North Carolina's Dean Smith for sixth all-time in Division I. Oklahoma State led 33-28 at halftime but was limited to 14 points in the second half. Cameron McGriff scored 19 for the Cowboys.LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Baylor's Kim Mulkey became the fastest Division I men's or women's coach to 600 wins, reaching the milestone when Juicy Landrum scored 19 points to lift the No. 2 Lady Bears to a 77-62 victory over Texas Tech. The Lady Bears broke open a tie game by scoring the first seven points of the fourth quarter. Baylor extended a pair of Big 12 records with its 54th consecutive league win and 43rd straight road victory in conference play. Mulkey earned her 600th win in her 700th game, four games faster than Adolph Rupp with the Kentucky men.LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has hired Jonathan Wallace to coach special teams and running backs, completing an overhaul of coach Les Miles' staff as the Jayhawks head into Year 2 of the former national championship-winning coach's regime. Miles announced the hiring in a statement Tuesday. Wallace spent last season coaching tight ends at Air Force, and he spent the previous season at Bethel, a Division III school in Minnesota where he worked with recently promoted offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon.National HeadlinesUNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is moving toward allowing all Division I athletes to transfer one time without sitting out a season of competition. A plan to change the waiver process is expected to be presented to the Division I Council in April. If adopted, new criteria would go into effect for the 2020-21 academic year. Currently, football, men's and women's basketball, men's hockey and baseball players must sit out one season after transferring. The NCAA adjusted waiver criteria two years ago to give more athletes the chance to become immediately eligible, but that has led to complaints about inconsistency in the process. If the plan is adopted, any athlete in good academic standing and not facing a disciplinary suspension will be allowed to transfer and play immediately for the new school.UNDATED (AP) — Jalen Crutcher scored 18 points and No. 5 Dayton picked up its 15th straight victory by downing VCU, 66-61. Jalen Smith dropped in 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as seventh-ranked Maryland held off Northwestern, 76-67 to take a two-game lead in the Big Ten Conference at 12-3. Eighth-ranked Florida State was an 82-67 winner against Pittsburgh as freshman Patrick Williams contributed 16 points and Anthony Polite added 10 with six rebounds.Tuesday ScoresTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (1)Baylor 65 Oklahoma 54Final (5)Dayton 66 VCU 61Final (7)Maryland 76 Northwestern 67Final (8)Florida St. 82 Pittsburgh 67Final Illinois 62 (9)Penn St. 56Final (10)Kentucky 79 LSU 76Final (15)Creighton 73 (19)Marquette 65Final (17)West Virginia 65 Oklahoma St. 47Wednesday Sports ScheduleTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL(6)Duke at NC State 9 p.m.Syracuse at (11)Louisville 7 p.m.(12)Villanova at DePaul 9 p.m.(13)Auburn at Georgia 7 p.m.(21)Butler at (16)Seton Hall 6:30 p.m.Tulsa at (22)Houston 9 p.m.

Wednesday Sports Headlines

Heritage Christian 84, Lutheran (Kansas City, Mo. 81

Hutchinson Central Christian 57, Pretty Prairie 43

Hutchinson Trinity 42, Sedgwick 31

Maranatha Academy 51, Pittsburg Colgan 45

Maur Hill - Mount Academy 65, Jackson Heights 32

Northern Valley 52, Western Plains-Healy 33

Rock Hills 71, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 52

Tuesday's ScoresBy The Associated Press<h2>BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=</h2>Andover 56, Valley Center 51Andover Central 73, Maize South 44Arkansas City 69, Goddard 50Augusta 69, Circle 45BV North 84, St. James Academy 62Beloit 60, Salina Sacred Heart 49Berean Academy 60, Bennington 39Bishop Miege 74, Blue Valley 45Burlington 80, Santa Fe Trail 55Central Heights 50, Anderson County 49Cheney 61, Kingman 43Cherryvale 83, Fredonia 75Chetopa 47, Marmaton Valley 33Clearwater 56, Rose Hill 53Clifton-Clyde 44, Valley Heights 43Colby 62, Goodland 36Conway Springs 51, Douglass 27Cunningham 46, Norwich 40DeSoto 58, Basehor-Linwood 36Deerfield 50, Triplains-Brewster 35Eureka 64, Erie 53Fort Scott 52, Coffeyville 48Frankfort 59, Onaga 25Frontenac 57, Girard 41Galena 41, Riverton 36Garden City 68, Dodge City 54Garden Plain 63, Wichita Independent 48Goddard-Eisenhower 61, Salina South 46Goessel 41, Wichita Classical 38Golden Plains 65, Rawlins County 53Great Bend 80, Hays-TMP-Marian 68Greeley County 65, Weskan 56Halstead 53, Pratt 40Haven 61, Lyons 42Hays 56, Abilene 46Heritage Christian 84, Lutheran (Kansas City, Mo. 81Hesston 46, Larned 45Hiawatha 60, Holton 56Highland Park 56, Topeka Hayden 37Hill City 59, Logan 42Hillsboro 64, Hoisington 62, OTHodgeman County 59, Ingalls 30Holcomb 68, Hugoton 60Hoxie 55, Norton 51Humboldt 69, Bluestem 59Hutchinson Central Christian 57, Pretty Prairie 43Hutchinson Trinity 42, Sedgwick 31Independence 61, Chanute 46Jayhawk Linn 54, Pleasanton 28Jefferson West 48, Nemaha Central 40KC Harmon 54, KC Washington 46KC Piper 87, Bonner Springs 62La Crosse 44, Stockton 41Lakeside 65, Wilson 29Lawrence Free State 63, SM North 45Liberal 54, Cimarron, Okla. 40Little River 78, Pawnee Heights 59Louisburg 64, Eudora 50Lyndon 67, Waverly 38Macksville 76, Otis-Bison 53Madison/Hamilton 50, Chase County 33Maize 64, Hutchinson 55Maranatha Academy 51, Pittsburg Colgan 45Maur Hill - Mount Academy 65, Jackson Heights 32McLouth 32, Atchison County 31McPherson 54, Buhler 51Minneapolis 55, Republic County 44Mission Valley 41, Burlingame 31Moscow 66, Sublette 61Moundridge 77, Ell-Saline 22Natoma 56, Tescott 32Nickerson 59, Smoky Valley 51Northeast-Arma 70, Yates Center 49Northern Valley 52, Western Plains 33Northern Valley 52, Western Plains-Healy 33Oakley 71, Quinter 62, OTOlathe West 71, Gardner-Edgerton 58Osawatomie 53, Iola 50Osborne 63, Sylvan-Lucas 46Ottawa 41, Paola 31Oxford 72, Flinthills 38Perry-Lecompton 65, Sabetha 62Phillipsburg 61, Concordia 46Pittsburg 61, Labette County 50Pratt Skyline 60, Burrton 10Riley County 61, Council Grove 31Rock Creek 58, Chapman 43Rock Hills 71, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 52Rockhurst, Mo. 51, St. Thomas Aquinas 42Royal Valley 62, Riverside 36Rural Vista 48, Hartford 40SM Northwest 61, Metro Academy 46Salina Central 61, Derby 56Scott City 76, Ulysses 56Sedan 50, Burden Central 22Shawnee Heights 62, KC Turner 27Solomon 66, Herington 35South Gray 62, Meade 51South Haven 58, Argonia 12Southeast Saline 61, Ellsworth 52Spearville 48, Minneola 40St. Francis 55, Cheylin 34St. John 48, South Central 43St. John's Beloit-Tipton 64, Pike Valley 40St. Paul 76, Oswego 52Stafford 49, Attica 45Sterling 49, Inman 47Syracuse 43, Wallace County 30Thunder Ridge 64, Lincoln 39Tonganoxie 70, KC Bishop Ward 42Topeka 55, Emporia 51Topeka West 57, Topeka Seaman 48Trego 63, Ellis 54Udall 57, Caldwell 42Uniontown 64, Altoona-Midway 51Wabaunsee 58, Rossville 48Wakefield 41, St. Xavier 22Wamego 33, Clay Center 29Washburn Rural 48, Manhattan 40Washington County 61, Hanover 52Wellington 67, Mulvane 61Wellsville 67, Baldwin 53Wetmore 46, Doniphan West 43Wheatland-Grinnell 69, Oberlin-Decatur 36Wichita Bishop Carroll 61, Kapaun Mount Carmel 48Wichita Campus 83, Newton 56Wichita Collegiate 66, Andale 54Wichita Southeast 70, Wichita Heights 53Winfield 65, El Dorado 62<h2>GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=</h2>Anderson County 57, Central Heights 27Andover 32, Valley Center 26Argonia 49, South Haven 43Ashland 53, Rolla 24Axtell 36, Troy 29BV Southwest 58, BV West 49Baldwin 54, Wellsville 45Baxter Springs 45, Columbus 37Beloit 57, Salina Sacred Heart 55Bennington 42, Berean Academy 36Burlingame 37, Mission Valley 25Caldwell 49, Udall 30Centre 54, Canton-Galva 36Chapman 38, Rock Creek 37Chase County 50, Madison/Hamilton 30Cheney 60, Kingman 24Cherryvale 47, Fredonia 32Chetopa 40, Marmaton Valley 32Circle 53, Augusta 23Colby 43, Goodland 29Cunningham 37, Norwich 34, OTDerby 69, Salina Central 38Dewey, Okla. 46, Caney Valley 29Dodge City 46, Garden City 20Doniphan West 64, Wetmore 38Eudora 56, Louisburg 33Eureka 57, Erie 32Flinthills 43, Oxford 34Frankfort 58, Onaga 43Frontenac 70, Girard 64, OTGalena 31, Riverton 27Garden Plain 47, Wichita Independent 27Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 39, Rock Hills 35Golden Plains 53, Rawlins County 37Great Bend 42, Hays-TMP-Marian 38Halstead 56, Pratt 23Hanover 56, Washington County 43Hays 47, Abilene 44Herington 45, Solomon 27Hesston 49, Larned 17Hillsboro 48, Hoisington 37Holton 53, Hiawatha 46Holy Family, Colo. 52, Pratt Skyline 40Hugoton 66, Holcomb 43Humboldt 42, Bluestem 40Hutchinson Trinity 48, Sedgwick 36Iola 39, Osawatomie 29Jackson Heights 53, Maur Hill - Mount Academy 20KC Bishop Ward 52, Tonganoxie 36KC Piper 64, Bonner Springs 40Kapaun Mount Carmel 59, Wichita Bishop Carroll 45Lakeside def. Wilson, forfeitLakin 50, Elkhart 39Liberal 62, Cimarron 31Little River 51, Pawnee Heights 38Logan 39, Hill City 21Lutheran (Kansas City, Mo. 50, Heritage Christian 25Maize 54, Hutchinson 29McPherson 62, Buhler 34Moundridge 54, Ell-Saline 39Nemaha Central 49, Jefferson West 29Newton 33, Wichita Campus 28Nickerson 52, Smoky Valley 35Norton 37, Hoxie 24Oakley 46, Quinter 27Oberlin-Decatur 59, Wheatland-Grinnell 55Olathe East 40, SM South 19Olathe North 73, Lawrence 53Olathe Northwest 35, SM East 30Olathe West 80, Gardner-Edgerton 43Osborne 63, Sylvan-Lucas 46Oskaloosa 53, Valley Falls 26Otis-Bison 64, Macksville 34Paola 39, Ottawa 35Phillipsburg 57, Concordia 33Pleasanton 29, Jayhawk Linn 20Pretty Prairie 36, Hutchinson Central Christian 31Republic County 38, Minneapolis 32Riley County 45, Council Grove 35Riverside 45, Royal Valley 42Rural Vista 61, Hartford 20SM North 62, Lawrence Free State 52Sabetha 52, Perry-Lecompton 32Salina South 33, Goddard-Eisenhower 26Scott City 63, Ulysses 37Shawnee Heights 59, KC Turner 15Southeast Saline 55, Ellsworth 48Spearville 74, Minneola 32St. Francis 67, Cheylin 31St. John 38, South Central 27St. John's Beloit-Tipton 50, Pike Valley 29St. Mary's 62, Osage City 40St. Paul 52, Oswego 16Stockton 71, La Crosse 31Sublette 59, Moscow 44Syracuse 43, Wallace County 30Tescott 32, Natoma 17Thunder Ridge 60, Lincoln 27Topeka 64, Emporia 26Topeka Hayden 51, Highland Park 29Topeka Seaman 48, Topeka West 26Trego 71, Ellis 27Triplains-Brewster 35, Deerfield 12Uniontown 54, Altoona-Midway 24Valley Heights 49, Clifton-Clyde 46Wabaunsee 49, Rossville 34Wamego 35, Clay Center 34, OTWashburn Rural 51, Manhattan 40Waverly 56, Lyndon 41West Elk 57, Cedar Vale/Dexter 21Western Plains 39, Northern Valley 29Wichita Classical 31, Goessel 27Wichita Heights 69, Wichita Southeast 28Wichita Home School 62, Wichita Sunrise 47___Some high school basketball scores provided by Scorestream.com, https://scorestream.com/

High School Prep Scores from Tuesday

🎥Chiefs Super Bowl Championship Parade

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Maize Eagles trailed the Hutchinson Salthawk girls in basketball action on Tuesday night after the first quarter 12-10, but after that blitzed the host Salthawk ladies to win going away 54-29.

Next action for the Salthawk Girls (8-8) will be Friday when they host the Salina South Cougars for senior night at the Salthawk Activity Center at 6:00 pm.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Maize Eagles trailed the Hutchinson Salthawk girls in basketball action on Tuesday night after the first quarter 12-10, but after that blitzed the host Salthawk ladies to win going away 54-29.Next action for the Salthawk Girls (8-8) will be Friday when they host the Salina South Cougars for senior night at the Salthawk Activity Center at 6:00 pm.<div><iframe src="//player.nfhsnetwork.com/#/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gam9ae69de657" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360"></iframe>
</div>

Maize soars over Salthawk Girls, 54-29

Area High School Games for February 18th

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devon Dotson hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points, five Kansas players hit double-figures scoring, and the third-ranked Jayhawks rolled to a 91-71 victory over Iowa State. The win sets up a monumental rematch with No. 1 Baylor. Ochai Agbaji added 14 points, Udoka Azubuike and Christian Braun scored 13 apiece, and David McCormack scored 10 for the Jayhawks, who have not lost since the Bears beat them at Allen Fieldhouse in mid-January. Prentiss Nixon scored 20 points, Matt Jacobson had 13 and Rasir Bolton 12 for the slumping Cyclones, who have lost 14 of their last 15 games at the Phog and still have not won a road game this season.

UNDATED (AP) — Baylor coach Kim Mulkey is set to reach 600 career wins in fewer games than any other Division I men's or women's coach. Mulkey takes a 599-100 record into the No. 2 Lady Bears' game at Texas Tech on Tuesday night. She has won three national championships in her 20 seasons. Adolph Rupp won 876 games overall with the Kentucky men from 1930-72. His 600th win came in his 704th game in 1959. That means Mulkey can beat Rupp's mark if the Lady Bears win one of their next four games. The defending national champs have won a record 53 consecutive Big 12 regular-season games.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Adalberto Mondesi might be one of the best kept secrets in baseball. Five seasons after he became the only player to make his big league debut in the World Series, the 24-year-old Mondesi has blossomed into an emerging star for the Kansas City Royals. Last season, his 10 triples tied for the most in the majors and his 43 stolen bases ranked second. He did that despite injuries limiting him to 102 games.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis manager Mike Shildt described technology's rapid encroachment on baseball in recent years as ethically murky, expressing his satisfaction in Commissioner Rob Manfred's intention to cut down the use of in-game video. He called the Houston Astros' upheaval "a healthy purge.” Shildt and other Grapefruit League managers met with Manfred in North Port. As expected, the commissioner addressed in-game use of technology, specifically video, to gain an advantage.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is the first driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500s since Sterling Marlin in 1994 and ’95. Hamlin joined six Hall of Fame drivers as winners of three or more Daytona 500s. The race was marred by a crash that caused Ryan Newman’s car to flip over several times before catching fire. NASCAR read a statement from Roush Fenway Racing that said Newman is in “serious condition, but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life threatening.”

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns new general manager Andrew Berry cleared $13 million in salary-cap space Monday by releasing veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie and three others signed by former GM John Dorsey. The 29-year-old Carrie played in all 32 games over the past two seasons after being signed as a free agent. He had 125 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks. Cleveland also terminated the contracts of tight end Demetrius Harris, guard Eric Kush and linebacker Adarius Taylor.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference has joined the Big Ten in saying it supports one-time transfers without sitting out for all sports. The ACC issued a statement saying the league had “unanimously concluded that as a matter of principle we support a one-time transfer opportunity for all student-athletes, regardless of sport.” The conference added that it looks forward to continuing the discussion nationally.

MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish says the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship. Darvish was hit hard by the Astros and lost two games for the Los Angeles Dodgers during that Series. Major League Baseball has penalized the Astros for illicitly stealing signs that year. Darvish also says the Astros should be more “apologetic" in light of their cheating scam. The 33-year-old Darvish was 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA in 31 starts for the Cubs last year.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devon Dotson hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points, five Kansas players hit double-figures scoring, and the third-ranked Jayhawks rolled to a 91-71 victory over Iowa State. The win sets up a monumental rematch with No. 1 Baylor. Ochai Agbaji added 14 points, Udoka Azubuike and Christian Braun scored 13 apiece, and David McCormack scored 10 for the Jayhawks, who have not lost since the Bears beat them at Allen Fieldhouse in mid-January. Prentiss Nixon scored 20 points, Matt Jacobson had 13 and Rasir Bolton 12 for the slumping Cyclones, who have lost 14 of their last 15 games at the Phog and still have not won a road game this season.UNDATED (AP) — Baylor coach Kim Mulkey is set to reach 600 career wins in fewer games than any other Division I men's or women's coach. Mulkey takes a 599-100 record into the No. 2 Lady Bears' game at Texas Tech on Tuesday night. She has won three national championships in her 20 seasons. Adolph Rupp won 876 games overall with the Kentucky men from 1930-72. His 600th win came in his 704th game in 1959. That means Mulkey can beat Rupp's mark if the Lady Bears win one of their next four games. The defending national champs have won a record 53 consecutive Big 12 regular-season games.SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Adalberto Mondesi might be one of the best kept secrets in baseball. Five seasons after he became the only player to make his big league debut in the World Series, the 24-year-old Mondesi has blossomed into an emerging star for the Kansas City Royals. Last season, his 10 triples tied for the most in the majors and his 43 stolen bases ranked second. He did that despite injuries limiting him to 102 games.JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis manager Mike Shildt described technology's rapid encroachment on baseball in recent years as ethically murky, expressing his satisfaction in Commissioner Rob Manfred's intention to cut down the use of in-game video. He called the Houston Astros' upheaval "a healthy purge.” Shildt and other Grapefruit League managers met with Manfred in North Port. As expected, the commissioner addressed in-game use of technology, specifically video, to gain an advantage.National HeadlinesDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is the first driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500s since Sterling Marlin in 1994 and ’95. Hamlin joined six Hall of Fame drivers as winners of three or more Daytona 500s. The race was marred by a crash that caused Ryan Newman’s car to flip over several times before catching fire. NASCAR read a statement from Roush Fenway Racing that said Newman is in “serious condition, but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life threatening.”CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns new general manager Andrew Berry cleared $13 million in salary-cap space Monday by releasing veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie and three others signed by former GM John Dorsey. The 29-year-old Carrie played in all 32 games over the past two seasons after being signed as a free agent. He had 125 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks. Cleveland also terminated the contracts of tight end Demetrius Harris, guard Eric Kush and linebacker Adarius Taylor.GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference has joined the Big Ten in saying it supports one-time transfers without sitting out for all sports. The ACC issued a statement saying the league had “unanimously concluded that as a matter of principle we support a one-time transfer opportunity for all student-athletes, regardless of sport.” The conference added that it looks forward to continuing the discussion nationally.MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish says the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship. Darvish was hit hard by the Astros and lost two games for the Los Angeles Dodgers during that Series. Major League Baseball has penalized the Astros for illicitly stealing signs that year. Darvish also says the Astros should be more “apologetic" in light of their cheating scam. The 33-year-old Darvish was 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA in 31 starts for the Cubs last year.Monday ScoresTOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal (3)Kansas 91 Iowa St. 71

Tuesday Sports Headlines

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devon Dotson had watched Iowa State torch the nets in Allen Fieldhouse long enough, so the do-everything Kansas guard began raining down 3-pointers and getting to the rim in what started out as a one-man scoring showcase.

The rest of the third-ranked Jayhawks eventually followed his lead.

Dotson finished with six 3-pointers and 29 points, but he wound up being just one of five Kansas players in double-figures scoring, helping the Jayhawks to a 91-71 victory over the Cyclones on Monday night to keep pace in the Big 12 race.

“When they’re hitting shots like they did, I mean, yeah, we’ve got to respond,” Dotson said. “I think every game we try to knock down our shots, but this game, people were rolling.”

Ochai Agbaji finished with 14 points, Udoka Azubuike and Christian Braun scored 13 apiece, and David McCormack had 10 points to send the Jayhawks (23-3, 12-1 Big 12) into a pivotal rematch with No. 1 Baylor with some serious momentum.

The Bears (23-1, 12-0) visit Oklahoma on Tuesday night before facing the Jayhawks at Ferrell Center on Saturday. Kansas hasn’t lost since the two teams met at Allen Fieldhouse in mid-January.

“We have a couple days to get rested for obviously the biggest game of the year,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said.

Prentiss Nixon scored 20 points, Matt Jacobson had 13 and Rasir Bolton 12 for the slumping Cyclones (11-15, 4-9, who have lost 14 of their last 15 games at the Phog and still have not won a road game this season.

Their frustrating season was summed up by the first half, when they did just about everything right and still trailed 50-40.

Iowa State was 9 of 12 from beyond the arc in a torrid display of shooting, and at one point connected on 3-pointers on three consecutive trips down floor. The Cyclones committed nine turnovers but generally held onto the ball well, and they also hung tough on the glass against a team with a massive advantage in both size and depth.

Maybe a little better defense would have helped.

As good as the Cyclones were on offense, the Jayhawks were even better. They kept pounding the ball inside to the 7-foot Azubuike, who dunked his way toward 10 first-half points, and that opened things up outside. Dotson had 15 points by the break, and Braun came off the bench to hit a trio of 3-pointers and score 13 points in just 12 minutes.

“The first half I thought offensively we gave ourselves a chance to be in the game,” Cyclones coach Steve Prohm said. “You get 40 in a half at this place you’d think you’re in pretty good shape.”

Iowa State tried to mount a comeback in the second half by getting the ball to Solomon Young, who spent most of the first half on the bench with two fouls. But the big forward was hounded every time he touched the ball and never seemed to get an open look, and that forced the Cyclones into launching up another barrage of 3-pointers.

They also slapped on a full-court press, but crisp passing and Dotson’s smooth ball-handling easily broke it down.

The league’s leading scorer snuffed out any chance of a comeback midway through the second half. Dotson knocked down a bucket, stripped Nixon near mid-court and took it to the rim for a three-point play, then curled in a 3-pointer from right in front of the Kansas bench to make it 78-55 with just over nine minutes to go.

“We put 40 minutes together we’re really good,” Nixon said, “but when we play in spurts it’s not in our favor. It showed in our performance tonight.”

Iowa State was playing its third game without starting guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is out the rest of the season with a fractured wrist. His absence was especially apparent against Dotson, who sliced up the Cyclones’ backup guards all night.

Kansas rolled to its 800th win in Allen Fieldhouse, which will celebrate its 65th birthday on March 1. The Jayhawks have only lost 114 times in the building. Of those wins, 54 of them have come in 64 games against the Cyclones.

Marcus Morris had his No. 22 jersey added to the jerseys that hang over the south stands of the Phog during a halftime ceremony. Morris was a second-team All-American and Big 12 player of the year during his junior season in 2011 and, with twin brother Markieff Morris, helped the Jayhawks win three regular-season conference titles.

“This is a big honor for my family,” Marcus Morris said. “Coming from Philadelphia, never in our wildest dreams did we think this was possible. Even when we got here, I didn’t think it was possible. When I look at the jersey going up there, it represents us both, because without ’Kieff it would’t have been possible for me either. We accomplished a lot together.”

Iowa State begins a two-game homestand against Texas Tech on Saturday night.

Kansas gets a couple extra days before its showdown with the Bears.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Devon Dotson had watched Iowa State torch the nets in Allen Fieldhouse long enough, so the do-everything Kansas guard began raining down 3-pointers and getting to the rim in what started out as a one-man scoring showcase.The rest of the third-ranked Jayhawks eventually followed his lead.Dotson finished with six 3-pointers and 29 points, but he wound up being just one of five Kansas players in double-figures scoring, helping the Jayhawks to a 91-71 victory over the Cyclones on Monday night to keep pace in the Big 12 race.“When they’re hitting shots like they did, I mean, yeah, we’ve got to respond,” Dotson said. “I think every game we try to knock down our shots, but this game, people were rolling.”Ochai Agbaji finished with 14 points, Udoka Azubuike and Christian Braun scored 13 apiece, and David McCormack had 10 points to send the Jayhawks (23-3, 12-1 Big 12) into a pivotal rematch with No. 1 Baylor with some serious momentum.The Bears (23-1, 12-0) visit Oklahoma on Tuesday night before facing the Jayhawks at Ferrell Center on Saturday. Kansas hasn’t lost since the two teams met at Allen Fieldhouse in mid-January.“We have a couple days to get rested for obviously the biggest game of the year,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said.Prentiss Nixon scored 20 points, Matt Jacobson had 13 and Rasir Bolton 12 for the slumping Cyclones (11-15, 4-9, who have lost 14 of their last 15 games at the Phog and still have not won a road game this season.Their frustrating season was summed up by the first half, when they did just about everything right and still trailed 50-40.Iowa State was 9 of 12 from beyond the arc in a torrid display of shooting, and at one point connected on 3-pointers on three consecutive trips down floor. The Cyclones committed nine turnovers but generally held onto the ball well, and they also hung tough on the glass against a team with a massive advantage in both size and depth.Maybe a little better defense would have helped.As good as the Cyclones were on offense, the Jayhawks were even better. They kept pounding the ball inside to the 7-foot Azubuike, who dunked his way toward 10 first-half points, and that opened things up outside. Dotson had 15 points by the break, and Braun came off the bench to hit a trio of 3-pointers and score 13 points in just 12 minutes.“The first half I thought offensively we gave ourselves a chance to be in the game,” Cyclones coach Steve Prohm said. “You get 40 in a half at this place you’d think you’re in pretty good shape.”Iowa State tried to mount a comeback in the second half by getting the ball to Solomon Young, who spent most of the first half on the bench with two fouls. But the big forward was hounded every time he touched the ball and never seemed to get an open look, and that forced the Cyclones into launching up another barrage of 3-pointers.They also slapped on a full-court press, but crisp passing and Dotson’s smooth ball-handling easily broke it down.The league’s leading scorer snuffed out any chance of a comeback midway through the second half. Dotson knocked down a bucket, stripped Nixon near mid-court and took it to the rim for a three-point play, then curled in a 3-pointer from right in front of the Kansas bench to make it 78-55 with just over nine minutes to go.“We put 40 minutes together we’re really good,” Nixon said, “but when we play in spurts it’s not in our favor. It showed in our performance tonight.”BIG PICTUREIowa State was playing its third game without starting guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is out the rest of the season with a fractured wrist. His absence was especially apparent against Dotson, who sliced up the Cyclones’ backup guards all night.Kansas rolled to its 800th win in Allen Fieldhouse, which will celebrate its 65th birthday on March 1. The Jayhawks have only lost 114 times in the building. Of those wins, 54 of them have come in 64 games against the Cyclones.RAISING TO THE RAFTERMarcus Morris had his No. 22 jersey added to the jerseys that hang over the south stands of the Phog during a halftime ceremony. Morris was a second-team All-American and Big 12 player of the year during his junior season in 2011 and, with twin brother Markieff Morris, helped the Jayhawks win three regular-season conference titles.“This is a big honor for my family,” Marcus Morris said. “Coming from Philadelphia, never in our wildest dreams did we think this was possible. Even when we got here, I didn’t think it was possible. When I look at the jersey going up there, it represents us both, because without ’Kieff it would’t have been possible for me either. We accomplished a lot together.”UP NEXTIowa State begins a two-game homestand against Texas Tech on Saturday night.Kansas gets a couple extra days before its showdown with the Bears.

🏀 Dotson's 29 points lead No. 3 Kansas past Iowa State, 91-71

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 16, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week's ranking:

Others receiving votes:&nbsp;Texas Tech 92, Michigan St. 87, Michigan 83, LSU 55, Rhode Island 39, Virginia 32, Cincinnati 14, Stephen F. Austin 14, Illinois 12, N. Iowa 9, Utah St. 8, Florida 6, Rutgers 6, ETSU 5, Saint Mary's (Cal) 4, Richmond 3, Tulsa 3, New Mexico St. 2, SMU 2, Arizona St 1, Wright St. 1.

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 16, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week's ranking:Record Pts Prv1. Baylor (48) 23-1 1559 12. Gonzaga (14) 26-1 1518 23. Kansas (1) 22-3 1434 34. San Diego St. 26-0 1404 45. Dayton 23-2 1294 66. Duke 22-3 1285 77. Maryland 21-4 1194 98. Florida St. 21-4 1088 89. Penn St. 20-5 1024 1310. Kentucky 20-5 1011 1211. Louisville 21-5 837 512. Villanova 19-6 824 1513. Auburn 22-3 818 1114. Oregon 20-6 742 1715. Creighton 20-6 718 2316. Seton Hall 18-7 672 1017. West Virginia 18-7 552 1418. Colorado 20-6 501 1619. Marquette 17-7 404 1820. Iowa 18-8 254 2121. Butler 19-7 242 1922. Houston 20-6 237 2023. BYU 21-7 188 —24. Arizona 18-7 102 —25. Ohio St. 17-8 95 —Others receiving votes:&nbsp;Texas Tech 92, Michigan St. 87, Michigan 83, LSU 55, Rhode Island 39, Virginia 32, Cincinnati 14, Stephen F. Austin 14, Illinois 12, N. Iowa 9, Utah St. 8, Florida 6, Rutgers 6, ETSU 5, Saint Mary's (Cal) 4, Richmond 3, Tulsa 3, New Mexico St. 2, SMU 2, Arizona St 1, Wright St. 1.

KU remains 3rd in Top 25

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Spring Training is under way and there is a whole lot of youth in the Royals’ camp, including pitching prospects Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Kris Bubic.

Watching them compete in their first big league camp will be one of the highlights this spring.

But there are plenty of other stories to watch this spring and throughout the summer. Here are seven early “if-everything-goes-right” predictions of what we might see from the Royals in 2020:

1.&nbsp;Mondesi breaks through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/609275" target="_blank">Adalberto Mondesi</a>, coming off shoulder surgery, will make it through 2020 healthy and finally show the baseball world his entire skill set. Mondesi, only 24 years old, tied for the Major League lead in triples last season with 10 and stole a team-high 43 bases despite playing in only 102 games because of shoulder injuries.

This year, Mondesi’s offensive numbers go through the charts: He will lead the league in triples with 16 and in stolen bases with 62. He’ll hit 22 home runs and post an OPS over .870.

Oh, and Mondesi will get considerable mention for a Gold Glove as his Outs Above Average will rate among the top shortstops.

2.&nbsp;O'Hearn claims the 1B jobMuch like how Mike Moustakas reinvented his offensive approach in 2015 by going to the opposite field to beat the shift,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/656811" target="_blank">Ryan O'Hearn</a>&nbsp;will drive the ball the opposite way consistently and prove that manager Mike Matheny, suddenly a huge supporter, was right about him.

O’Hearn will hit 26 home runs and be such an offensive force that he will be moved to the middle of the lineup mid-season. He will also use his fiery competitiveness to become a vocal leader in the clubhouse as the Royals transition toward becoming a contender again in the coming seasons.

3.&nbsp;Kennedy gets traded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/453178" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a>, who saved 30 games in his first season as a closer in 2019, gets even better in that role in 2020. He will go 20-for-21 in saves heading into late July and is dealt to a contender -- he is in the final year of his five-year, $70 million contract. Jorge Lopez, who suddenly excels in a bullpen role this season, takes over as the Royals’ closer and goes 12-for-14 in save opportunities in the final two months.

Kennedy, by the way, keeps his home in the Kansas City area and re-signs with the Royals on a club-friendly deal for 2021.

4.&nbsp;Duffy regains his form&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/518633" target="_blank">Danny Duffy</a>, who has battled injuries the past few seasons, makes it through all of 2020 without a trip to the injured list. His new diet -- he lost about 10 pounds this offseason simply by making healthier eating choices -- makes the difference and he turns in his best season since 2016 (12-3, 3.51 ERA) with a 3.24 ERA and 9.2 K/9 rate in 2020.

5. Singer, Kowar and Heath make MLB debutsPitching prospects Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar start the season in the Minors but dominate so much they are promoted to the big leagues in June. Both are first tried as “openers” before one claims a job in the rotation when starter&nbsp;<a href="https://forge-web.cms.mlbinfra.com/#/wcm/custom/player/13fc354b-4cdb-41c7-8dda-d3476b7a6a34">Mike Montgomery</a>&nbsp;is dealt (back to the Cubs) at the Trade Deadline.

Speedy outfielder Nick Heath also gets called up in August and becomes a valuable weapon off Matheny’s bench.

6.&nbsp;Dozier becomes a household name<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/641531" target="_blank">Hunter Dozier</a>&nbsp;hit 26 homers with 10 triples and 29 doubles in 2019 and raised a lot of eyebrows throughout baseball. In 2020, Dozier will prove those numbers were no fluke.

Dozier will crack the 30-homer barrier in 2020 and will also steal 20 bases (and he will credit Rusty Kuntz for that). It will be the type of breakthrough season that persuades the Royals to offer Dozier a long-term deal.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Spring Training is under way and there is a whole lot of youth in the Royals’ camp, including pitching prospects Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Kris Bubic.Watching them compete in their first big league camp will be one of the highlights this spring.<figure>
 <img src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/bgwevnrw97gftjp1xidi.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>But there are plenty of other stories to watch this spring and throughout the summer. Here are seven early “if-everything-goes-right” predictions of what we might see from the Royals in 2020:1.&nbsp;Mondesi breaks through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/609275" target="_blank">Adalberto Mondesi</a>, coming off shoulder surgery, will make it through 2020 healthy and finally show the baseball world his entire skill set. Mondesi, only 24 years old, tied for the Major League lead in triples last season with 10 and stole a team-high 43 bases despite playing in only 102 games because of shoulder injuries.This year, Mondesi’s offensive numbers go through the charts: He will lead the league in triples with 16 and in stolen bases with 62. He’ll hit 22 home runs and post an OPS over .870.Oh, and Mondesi will get considerable mention for a Gold Glove as his Outs Above Average will rate among the top shortstops.2.&nbsp;O'Hearn claims the 1B jobMuch like how Mike Moustakas reinvented his offensive approach in 2015 by going to the opposite field to beat the shift,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/656811" target="_blank">Ryan O'Hearn</a>&nbsp;will drive the ball the opposite way consistently and prove that manager Mike Matheny, suddenly a huge supporter, was right about him.O’Hearn will hit 26 home runs and be such an offensive force that he will be moved to the middle of the lineup mid-season. He will also use his fiery competitiveness to become a vocal leader in the clubhouse as the Royals transition toward becoming a contender again in the coming seasons.3.&nbsp;Kennedy gets traded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/453178" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a>, who saved 30 games in his first season as a closer in 2019, gets even better in that role in 2020. He will go 20-for-21 in saves heading into late July and is dealt to a contender -- he is in the final year of his five-year, $70 million contract. Jorge Lopez, who suddenly excels in a bullpen role this season, takes over as the Royals’ closer and goes 12-for-14 in save opportunities in the final two months.Kennedy, by the way, keeps his home in the Kansas City area and re-signs with the Royals on a club-friendly deal for 2021.4.&nbsp;Duffy regains his form&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/518633" target="_blank">Danny Duffy</a>, who has battled injuries the past few seasons, makes it through all of 2020 without a trip to the injured list. His new diet -- he lost about 10 pounds this offseason simply by making healthier eating choices -- makes the difference and he turns in his best season since 2016 (12-3, 3.51 ERA) with a 3.24 ERA and 9.2 K/9 rate in 2020.5. Singer, Kowar and Heath make MLB debutsPitching prospects Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar start the season in the Minors but dominate so much they are promoted to the big leagues in June. Both are first tried as “openers” before one claims a job in the rotation when starter&nbsp;<a href="https://forge-web.cms.mlbinfra.com/#/wcm/custom/player/13fc354b-4cdb-41c7-8dda-d3476b7a6a34">Mike Montgomery</a>&nbsp;is dealt (back to the Cubs) at the Trade Deadline.Speedy outfielder Nick Heath also gets called up in August and becomes a valuable weapon off Matheny’s bench.6.&nbsp;Dozier becomes a household name<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/641531" target="_blank">Hunter Dozier</a>&nbsp;hit 26 homers with 10 triples and 29 doubles in 2019 and raised a lot of eyebrows throughout baseball. In 2020, Dozier will prove those numbers were no fluke.Dozier will crack the 30-homer barrier in 2020 and will also steal 20 bases (and he will credit Rusty Kuntz for that). It will be the type of breakthrough season that persuades the Royals to offer Dozier a long-term deal.7. Royals win 78 games The Royals go into 2020 not especially close to contending, but they will surprise national observers this season by hanging around .500. The Royals are still targeting 2021 or 2022 as the season they get back to near the American League Central top. But 2020 will be an important first step in making the young players believe it is possible.