Patrick Mahomes Reads to 3,000 Kids at Kansas City Rally Patrick Mahomes, the two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, made his fourth consecutive appearance at the Lead to Read KC Reading Rally on April 2, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The event, which drew approximately 3,000 students from 27 local schools, marked another milestone in Mahomes’ ongoing commitment to promoting literacy among children. Despite being in the early stages of his recovery from ACL and LCL surgery in his left knee, the quarterback took a break from rehab duties to engage with the young audience. The rally featured Mahomes reading aloud from the children’s book Ella and One Great Race, a story that resonated with the students and underscored the importance of reading in personal growth. For Mahomes, the event was more than a public appearance—it was a chance to connect with the community and inspire the next generation of readers. “To me, literacy rates are a reflection of community investment,” said Rhea LeGrande, executive director of Lead to Read KC. “If our kids are not readers, it’s because our community hasn’t done everything we can to help them become readers. This event is a representation of what we can achieve together.” LeGrande’s words highlighted the broader mission of the Lead to Read KC initiative, which aims to foster a culture of reading and learning in the Kansas City area. The rally’s timing was significant, as it coincided with Mahomes’ efforts to prepare for the 2026 NFL season. While his focus has been on rehabilitation, the event demonstrated his dedication to giving back to the community that has supported him throughout his career.#t_mobile_center #kansas_city #patrick_mahomes #lead_to_read_kc #ella_and_one_great_race
Kansas vs. Houston 2026 Big 12 Tournament Semifinal Prediction The third-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (23-9, 12-6 Big 12) will face the second-seeded Houston Cougars (27-5, 14-4 Big 12) in the second semifinal of the 2026 Big 12 Tournament on Friday. The Jayhawks advanced after defeating TCU 78-72 in the quarterfinals, while the Cougars beat BYU 73-66. This marks their second matchup of the season, with Kansas securing a 69-56 victory on February 24. Darryn Peterson, a potential No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick, contributed 24 points in a season-high 37 minutes during Kansas’ quarterfinal win. The game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Houston is listed as a 4.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total points over/under set at 139.5. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has demonstrated strong accuracy in college basketball predictions, simulated the matchup 10,000 times. The model’s analysis suggests the game will likely exceed the total points line, with a projected combined score of 142. Key player performances are highlighted in the model’s projections. Kansas is expected to have four players scoring 11.8 points or more, including Peterson, who is projected to tally 17.2 points. Houston’s Emanuel Sharp is predicted to lead the Cougars with 17 points, supported by three players scoring 12.4 points or more. The model’s simulations indicate a strong likelihood of the over line hitting, with 67% of outcomes surpassing 138.5 points. The model also identifies a clear favorite on the spread, though the specific side is only available through SportsLine. The analysis notes that one side of the spread is projected to win in over 50% of simulations, emphasizing the model’s confidence in its predictions.#t_mobile_center #darryn_peterson #kansas_jayhawks #houston_cougars #emmanuel_sharp
Kansas to Face Houston in Big 12 Semifinals Friday KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The No. 3 seed Kansas Jayhawks (23-9, 12-6 Big 12) will take on No. 2 seed Houston (27-5, 14-4) in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 13, at 8:30 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Kansas, which has won 15 postseason league tournament titles, including 11 in the Big 12 era, will face Houston, the defending Big 12 champion. Since the conference’s formation in 1996-97, Kansas holds a 51-15 record in league tournament play. The Jayhawks are 23-4 in quarterfinals, 15-6 in semifinals, and 11-4 in finals. Kansas advanced to the semifinals with a 78-73 victory over TCU in the quarterfinals on March 12. Houston joined them after defeating BYU 73-66 in its quarterfinal matchup. Through March 12, Kansas ranked second in NCAA Division I strength of schedule, trailing only Alabama. Under head coach Bill Self, Kansas has ranked in the top five of strength of schedule 10 times, including six No. 1 rankings (2005, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025). Kansas is currently No. 18 in the NET, fourth in the Big 12. The Jayhawks’ nine Quad 1 wins are tied for second in the league with Houston and fourth nationally. Kansas leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense at 38.7% (fifth nationally), three-point field goal percentage defense at 30.2% (19th nationally), and blocked shots at 5.8 per game (sixth nationally). Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Flory Bidunga leads the conference with 87 blocked shots and ranks third nationally. His 2.72 blocks per game are first in the Big 12 and third nationally. Bidunga also leads the league in field goal percentage at 65.1% (seventh nationally). At 13.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.72 blocks per game, Bidunga is the only player in NCAA Division I to average more than 13.#t_mobile_center #houston #kansas_jayhawks #bill_self #flory_bidunga
UCF Men's Basketball Secures Overtime Victory Over Cincinnati UCF men’s basketball staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Cincinnati 66-65 in overtime during the second round of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center. The Knights, who held a brief 5-minute lead early in the game, erased a 19-point deficit in the second half to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since joining the conference. The victory marked UCF’s 21st win of the season, their highest total under head coach Johnny Dawkins since the 2018-19 campaign. Cincinnati began strongly, building a 9-2 lead in the first 16 minutes and extending it to 19-9 by the eighth minute of the second half. The Knights struggled to find their rhythm, going scoreless for over five minutes before Chris Johnson hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two. However, the Bearcats maintained control with their sharp shooting, draining back-to-back three-pointers to push their lead to 19-9. UCF’s defense stepped up, forcing three turnovers in a two-minute span to halt Cincinnati’s momentum. A layup by Jamichael Stillwell gave the Knights their first lead since the opening minutes, 22-21, but Cincinnati retook the advantage by halftime, leading 27-26. The second half saw both teams struggle to score consistently. Cincinnati extended its lead to seven points, 39-32, by the 13:22 mark, but UCF’s resilience shone through. After falling into a 12-point deficit, the Knights launched a 14-7 run sparked by Jordan Burks’ dunk, trimming the gap to 58-56 with 1:17 remaining. Stillwell added six points during the surge, setting the stage for overtime. Riley Kugel tied the game at 58-58 with a late layup, forcing the extra session. In overtime, Stillwell opened the scoring with a layup, and UCF’s defense held Cincinnati’s offense in check.#t_mobile_center #cincinnati #big_12_tournament #ucf_men_s_basketball #johnny_dawkins
Arizona State Sources Say Bobby Hurley's Departure News Is Premature Arizona State Sun Devils basketball coach Bobby Hurley's potential exit from the program has been labeled "premature" by school officials, despite widespread reports suggesting he may not return for a 12th season. The news came just days before the start of the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, with Hurley’s future remaining uncertain as he nears the end of his contract. The school has not offered an extension, leaving his status in limbo for the 2025-26 season. While the decision to move on is often a signal of impending change, ASU sources emphasized that the timing of the speculation was premature. Hurley’s team is set to face Baylor in the tournament’s first round on March 10, with the game scheduled for 9:30 a.m. MST at T-Mobile Center. The Sun Devils, with a 16-15 record, finished their regular season last week, including a notable upset over No. 14 Kansas on March 3, which was widely considered Hurley’s final home game as head coach. The school could be waiting for the team’s tournament performance before making an official announcement, as the elimination of the squad might influence the timing of any decision. Hurley, 54, joined Arizona State in 2015, succeeding Herb Sendek as head coach and becoming the university’s 14th in that role. Prior to ASU, he led the University at Buffalo for two seasons, compiling a 42-20 record (67.7%). At Arizona State, his overall record stands at 184-166, but the past three years have been his most challenging tenure. The Sun Devils have posted a 43-53 record in that span, with a 19-39 mark in conference play.#t_mobile_center #arizona_state #bobby_hurley #big_12_men_s_basketball_tournament #university_at_buffalo
Kansas State Basketball Season Ends with Defeat to BYU Kansas State basketball’s 2025-26 season concluded in heartbreaking fashion as the 15th-seeded Wildcats fell to 10th-seeded BYU in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament. The game, played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, ended with a final score of 105-91 in favor of the Cougars, marking the end of a season defined by inconsistency and underperformance. The loss came just days after Kansas State fired head coach Jerome Tang, who was dismissed for cause amid a 12-20 regular season that saw the team struggle with poor execution and a lack of cohesion. The decision to part ways with Tang was made with about a month left in the regular season, highlighting the mounting frustration over the program’s inability to compete at a higher level. This tournament exit further underscores the challenges facing the program as it looks to rebuild. BYU’s victory was propelled by standout performance from freshman AJ Dybantsa, who shattered the single-game Big 12 Tournament freshman scoring record with 40 points. His efforts were instrumental in securing the win, as the Cougars outscored the Wildcats in key stretches of the game. Dybantsa’s 40-point game also set a new record for the most points scored in a single Big 12 Tournament game, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. The game itself was a rollercoaster for Kansas State, which briefly mounted a comeback after falling behind by double digits. A 11-0 run in the second half, highlighted by a three-pointer from CJ Jones, brought the Wildcats within five points. However, BYU’s ability to respond with quick baskets and capitalize on turnovers kept the deficit manageable.#t_mobile_center #kansas_state #aj_dybantsa #byu #gene_taylor
2026 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket: Updated Seeds and Matchups as of March 6, 2026 The Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to begin on March 10, with the event hosted in Kansas City, Missouri, at the T-Mobile Center. The conference, known for its competitive talent, features four teams ranked in the nation’s top 10. Recent developments, such as West Virginia’s victory over UCF, have added unpredictability to the tournament landscape. Arizona remains the conference’s top-ranked team, though several squads have seen notable shifts in their standings. Below is the latest seeding and projected matchups for the tournament. The updated seedings include Kansas State at No. 2 with a 3-14 record, Baylor at No. 3 with a 5-12 record, and Oklahoma State at No. 4 with a 6-11 record. Arizona State and Colorado are tied at No. 5 with identical 7-10 records, while West Virginia is listed at No. 9 with a 9-9 record. Cincinnati and TCU follow at No. 10 and No. 11, respectively, with records of 9-8 and 10-7. Iowa State and Kansas share the No. 12 spot with 11-6 records, and Texas Tech is at No. 14 with a 12-5 record. Houston and Arizona round out the list at No. 15 and No. 16, with records of 13-4 and 15-2. The tournament’s first round is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, with four games set to take place. No. 12 Arizona State will face No. 13 Oklahoma State at 11:30 AM CT on ESPN+. No. 9 UCF will challenge No. 16 Utah at 2:00 PM CT, while No. 10 BYU will meet No. 15 Kansas State at 6:00 PM CT. The final first-round matchup will see No. 11 Colorado take on No. 14 Baylor at 8:30 PM CT. The second round begins on Wednesday, March 11, with No. 5 Iowa State facing the winner of Game 1 at 11:30 AM CT. No. 8 West Virginia will play the winner of Game 2 at 2:00 PM CT, followed by No.#big_12 #t_mobile_center #kansas_city #kansas_state #baylor
