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Author: Dave Riggert

Mizzou women picked fifth in preseason SEC media poll

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball was selected to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference Tuesday by a select voting panel of both SEC and national media members as the league office announced its 2018-19 SEC Preseason Media Poll. In addition, senior Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) was one of seven players selected to the Preseason All-SEC team.

Mizzou was picked to finish fifth behind Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Each team picked ahead of the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, with South Carolina making the Elite Eight and Mississippi State ending the season as the runner-up.

Cunningham was one of three players to receive votes for the Preseason SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year award, which ended up going to Mississippi State’s Teaira McCowan.

Cunningham averaged 18.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in her junior campaign, and was the only player in the nation to shoot better than 54 percent from the field (54.2 percent, 186-for-343), 45 percent from three (45.7 percent, 69-for-151) and 83 percent from the free throw line (83.6 percent, 133-for-159). She scored in double figures in 28 of 31 games she played in, and ranked fourth in the NCAA in three-point percentage as she earned AP All-America Honorable Mention honors for the second consecutive season.

As a team last season, Mizzou earned a third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 1984-86. Head Coach Robin Pingeton’s squad won 11 conference games for the second straight season, the first back-to-back seasons with 11 plus conference wins since 1983-84 and 1984-85. Mizzou is 13-3 at home against SEC opponents in the past two seasons.

PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Mississippi State
2. South Carolina
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Mizzou
6. Texas A&M
7. Kentucky
8. Auburn
9. LSU
10. Alabama
11. Arkansas
12. Florida
13. Vanderbilt
14. Ole Miss

Player of the Year
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State

Preseason All-SEC

Calyia Robinson, Georgia
Anriel Howard, Mississippi State
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Sophie Cunningham, Mizzou
Alexis Jennings, South Carolina
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M

— Mizzou Athletics —

MWSU’s Cowell named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced on Tuesday afternoon that Madeline Cowell was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week. It is the first time in Cowell’s career that she has received the conference honor.

The senior etched her name into Griffon Soccer history last weekend, becoming the program’s all-time assists leader. In the 82nd minute, Cowell’s corner kick assist to Lillian Davis helped put the game out of reach to seal the 3-1 win against Southwest Baptist.

The assist was Cowell’s 13th of her career and her first of the 2018 season, making her the lone leader in career assists at Missouri Western. Cowell tallied seven assists last season and five assists as a sophomore, both while playing midfielder. Cowell made the switch from midfielder to defender in her senior season to help strengthen an inexperienced back line.

Cowell has been a staple of the Griffon defense all season and helped the Griffons hold their opponents to just one goal in the team’s two games over the weekend. The Griffons allowed only six shots and one shot on goal in their shutout win at Missouri Southern. Cowell has been a key contributor to a defense that allows just 1.29 goals per game this season.

— MWSU Athletics —

Jayhawks’ Grimes named to Jerry West Award watch list

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas freshman Quentin Grimes has been named one of 20 candidates for the 2019 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

Named after Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the annual honor, in its fifth year, recognizes the top shooting guard in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.

Grimes is a five-star combo guard who made his rounds on the all-star game circuit following his senior year at College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas. Ranked No. 8 in the national recruiting services, he averaged 29.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists his senior season, earning the 2017-18 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, Texas Mr. Basketball and the 6A Player of the Year. This past summer, Grimes was the Most Valuable Player and an All-Tournament selection at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championships in leading USA to the gold medal, where he averaged 14.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The USA squad was coached by KU head coach Bill Self

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award will be narrowed down to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. West and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2019 Jerry West Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show presented by Wendy’s in Los Angeles on Friday, April 12, 2019.

Jerry West attended West Virginia University and averaged 24.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game in his three varsity seasons. He led his team to the NCAA Championship game in 1959 and was named a consensus All-American in 1959 and 1960. In the summer of 1960, he was co-captain of the U.S. men’s basketball team and won an Olympic gold medal. As a professional player, West played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Lakers making the All-NBA First Team 10 times. West won an NBA championship in 1972 and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1969 despite his team not winning the championship. In 1996, he was named a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Previous winners of the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award include Carsen Edwards, Purdue (2018), Malik Monk, Kentucky (2017), Buddy Hield, Oklahoma (2016) and D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State (2015).

For more information on the 2019 Jerry West Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.

2019 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award Candidates
Bryce Brown, Auburn
Jarron Cumberland, Cincinnati
Kellan Grady, Davidson
RJ Barrett, Duke
KeVaughn Allen, Florida
Zach Norvell, Gonzaga
Justin Wright-Foreman, Hofstra
Romeo Langford, Indiana
Quentin Grimes, Kansas
Barry Brown, Kansas State
Tyler Herro, Kentucky
Quinndary Weatherspoon, Mississippi State
James Palmer Jr., Nebraska
T.J. Gibbs, Notre Dame
Mustapha Heron, St. John’s
Tyus Battle, Syracuse
Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
Kyle Guy, Virginia
Jaylen Nowell Washington
Fletcher Magee, Wofford

*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 season.*

— KU Athletics —

MWSU men’s golf in sixth after day one at Blue Tiger Invite

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Men’s Golf is in sixth place after the first round of the Blue Tiger Invitational in Jefferson City, Missouri. The Griffons finished with a team score of 302, but sit just three strokes back from the three-way tie for third.

Due to weather conditions and slow play on the course, the coaches mutually agreed to change the tournament from a three-round format to a two-round format. The teams played 18 holes on Monday and will play another 18 holes on Tuesday.

Patrick McCarthy is tied for ninth after the first round. His 73 (+1) gave him the best performance of any Griffon on Monday. McCarthy’s three birdies in the first round are tied for the third-most of any golfer at the tournament.

Not far behind McCarthy on the individual leaderboards is Jett Simmons. Simmons finished with a 74 (+2) and is tied for 12th. His 16 pars lead all 104 golfers at the tournament.

Cole Roberts finished with a first-round score of 77. Lucas Horseman and Tom Buffington each shot a 78.

The second and final round of the Blue Tiger Invitational will tee off at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest’s Bruder, Ahrens earn weekly MIAA volleyball awards

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After securing a monumental road victory and pulling to within one game of first place in the MIAA standings, the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball squad is having two players honored as the league’s players of the week.

Senior outside hitter Maddy Bruder (Firth, Nebraska) earned MIAA hitter of the week honors, while sophomore setter Maddy Ahrens (Appleton, Wisconsin) was named the MIAA specialist of the week. It’s the second straight week that Ahrens has tallied the MIAA specialist of the week status.

Bruder posted two double-doubles and led Northwest to pair of 3-0 road wins including a victory over No. 9-ranked and previously undefeated Washburn. Bruder averaged 4.17 kills and 6.17 digs in the two sweeps. Bruder had 10 kills and a season-high 22 digs in a 3-0 win at Emporia State. Bruder came back with 15 kills and 15 digs with two block assists in Northwest’s first road win over Washburn since Oct. 6, 1999. Bruder has recorded five straight double-doubles and leads the Bearcats with 13 double-doubles this season. Bruder leads the MIAA in kills per set (4.26 – MIAA only; 4.20 – all matches).

Ahrens directed the Bearcats to road wins over Emporia State and No. 9-ranked Washburn. Ahrens averaged 13.00 assists and 3.83 digs as Northwest played only six sets in two victories. Ahrens dished out 40 assists and added 10 digs with three service aces and three kills in a 3-0 win against Emporia State. Ahrens came back on Saturday night and produced another double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs in a 3-0 sweep of previously undefeated Washburn. Ahrens added a kill and a service ace against the Ichabods. Ahrens has 10 double-doubles, including six in MIAA play this season. Ahrens leads the MIAA in assists (11.35 – all matches; 12.55 – MIAA matches).

Northwest (17-5 overall, 9-2 MIAA) will play a trio of road matches this week beginning Tuesday at Missouri Western at 7 p.m., followed by a match Friday at Lindenwood (6 p.m.) and a match Saturday at Central Missouri (3 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

Kansas freshman Dotson named to Bob Cousy Award watch list

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas freshman Devon Dotson has been named one of 20 collegiate players to the preseason watch list for the 2019 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Monday.

Named after Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy, the annual honor, now in its 16th year, recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I men’s basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates. Dotson is vying to become the second Jayhawk in the last three seasons to win the award as Frank Mason III was KU’s first-ever Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award winner in 2017.

One of five McDonald’s All-Americans on the KU’s 2018-19 roster, Dotson is an explosive combo guard who picked up numerous postseason honors and played in multiple all-star games following the 2017-18 season. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native ended ranked No. 20 by Rivals.com, No. 21 by 247Sports.com and No. 24 by ESPN100. A three-time all-state selection at Providence Day School, Dotson averaged 28.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists his senior year.

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2019 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show in Los Angeles on April 12, 2019.

Bob Cousy played for Holy Cross from 1946-50 winning an NCAA Championship in 1947. He was named a Consensus First-Team All-American in 1950. His success continued at the professional level as a six-time NBA Champion (1957, 1959-63), NBA Most Valuable Player (1957) and 13-time NBA All-Star (1951-63). In 1996, he was named a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award include: Jalen Brunson, Villanova (2018), FRANK MASON III, KANSAS (2017), Tyler Ulis, Kentucky (2016), Delon Wright, Utah (2015), Shabazz Napier, Connecticut (2014), Trey Burke, Michigan (2013), Kendall Marshall, North Carolina (2012), Kemba Walker, Connecticut (2011), Greivis Vasquez, Maryland (2010), Ty Lawson, North Carolina (2009), DJ Augustin, Texas (2008), Acie Law, Texas A&M (2007), Dee Brown, Illinois (2006), Raymond Felton, North Carolina (2005) and Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s (2004).

For more information on the 2019 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, log onto www.hoophallawards.com.

2019 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Candidates
Jared Harper, Auburn
Ky Bowman, Boston College
Tre Jones, Duke
Josh Perkins, Gonzaga
Devon Dotson, KANSAS
Tremont Waters, LSU
Markus Howard, Marquette
Jon Elmore, Marshall
Cassius Winston, Michigan State
Cody Martin, Nevada
Ahmad Carver, Old Dominion
Payton Pritchard, Oregon
Carsen Edwards, Purdue
Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s
Alex Robinson, TCU
Jordan Bone, Tennessee
Jaylen Hands, UCLA
Jahvon Quinerly, Villanova
Ty Jerome, Virginia
Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech

*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 season*

— KU Athletics —

K-State’s Barnes, Shelley named Big 12 Players of the Week

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MANHATTAN, Kan. – Thanks to their impressive performances in Kansas State’s 31-12 victory over Oklahoma State last Saturday, junior running back Alex Barnes and senior defensive back Duke Shelley have been named Big 12 Players of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

In addition to his co-Defensive Player of the Week accolade, Shelley was also named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll.

It was the first time in Barnes’ career he earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors, while it was the second weekly conference award for Shelley following last year’s Texas Tech game. The Wildcats now have 51 conference player of the week accolades since 2011, tied for second in the league.

Barnes rushed a career-high 34 times for 181 yards and a career-high tying four touchdowns against the Cowboys, part of a 291-yard rushing day for the Wildcats. He also led the team with three catches for 51 yards as he became just the third player in school history with 175 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards in a single game, joining Tony Jordan (1986 vs. Iowa State) and Darren Sproles (2003 vs. Oklahoma).

Coupled with his 250-yard, three-touchdown output against Baylor the previous week, Barnes leads the Big 12 in rushing (112.6 yds/game) and touchdowns (9), while he is second in all-purpose yards (132.3 yds/game). He also ranks fifth nationally in total rushing yards (788), sixth in rushing touchdowns and 20th in all-purpose yards.

A product of Pittsburg, Kansas, Barnes entered the school’s career top-10 list in career rushing yards with his performance against the Cowboys, a mark that now stands at 2,049 yards.

A product of Tucker, Georgia, Shelley came away with the first multi-interception game of his career when he tallied two picks, a pass breakup and six solo tackles against OSU. He now has three interceptions on the year – all coming within the last two games – to rank fourth in the Big 12 and tied for 27th nationally. He improved his career interception total to eight – with half of those coming against Oklahoma State – as he is now two away from tying for 10th in school history.

Shelley has 12 total passes defended this season to rank second in the Big 12 and eighth in the country. The senior improved his career passes defended total to 39, a mark that is tied for third nationally among active players and ranks seventh in school history.

In addition to his work on defense against Oklahoma State, Shelley also returned a kickoff 26 yards, while his last interception was returned for 30 yards, an effort that landed him on the Hornung Award Honor Roll.

Kansas State is idle this weekend and returns to action on October 27, when the Wildcats travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The Wildcats then travel to TCU on November 3, before hosting Kansas on November 10.

— K-State Athletics —

MIAA hands out weekly football honors

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced its weekly Football Athletes of the Week awards Monday. Emporia State’s Jace McDown was named Defensive Player of the Week for the conference. ESU’s Braxton Marstall and Fort Hays State’s Jacob Mezera were Co-Offensive Players of the Week. D’Harius Brown of Lindenwood was named the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week.

Bass tied his career-high with five tackles, four of them unassisted, and had a 74-yard fumble return for a touchdown in Emporia State’s 41-23 victory at Central Missouri. He anchored a defense that held the Mules to their lowest scoring total at home since the opening game of the 2015 season and snapped an 11-game home winning streak.

Marstall had 341 yards of total offense and was responsible for four touchdowns in Emporia State’s 41-23 win at Central Missouri. He threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns then added 63 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Marstall moved up to eighth place in career total offense in MIAA history.

Mezera was efficient on his nine pass completions in a 50-21 win against No. 18 Pittsburg State. He threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Mezera averaged 25.7 yards per pass with two of his three touchdown passes coming from 59 yards or more. Mezera broke FHSU career records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in the game, now with 7,083 yards and 56 touchdowns in his career.

Brown took the opening kick of the second half back 83 yards for a touchdown. The return gave Lindenwood a 21-0 lead as the Lions defeated Northeastern State 38-14. For the game, Brown had just one kickoff return for 83 yards.

— MIAA Press Release —

Mizzou’s Fatony named to Ray Guy Award Week 7 Ray’s 8

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou senior P Corey Fatony (Franklin, Tenn.) is one of eight punters named to the Ray Guy Award Week 7 Ray’s 8, announced Monday by the Augusta Sports Council. Fatony, who is one of the nation’s elite college punters, is coming off his best game this season at No. 1 Alabama. He averaged 43.7 yards per punt on six kicks, pinning the Tide inside their 20 on four separate occasions.

Fatony, one of the nation’s best when it comes to limiting return yards, allowed just one return yard on six kicks last week. He had four punts inside the 20, showing precision accuracy, while his other two kicks were both 50+ yard boots.

On the year, Fatony is averaging a career-best 44.7 yards per punt and has just one touchback on 19 punts. He has pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times and has six kicks of 50+ yards.

Mizzou Football will return home for the first time in nearly a month, hosting Memphis for the school’s 107th Homecoming. The game will kick at 3 p.m. on ESPN 1550.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Chiefs suffer first loss as they fall at New England 43-40

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Stephen Gostkowski hit a 28-yard field goal as time expired, and the New England Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs 43-40 on Sunday night after blowing a big halftime lead.

Tom Brady passed for 340 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in his 200th victory as a starting quarterback, tops all-time. Brady also passed former teammate Adam Vinatieri for most career wins in the regular season and playoffs combined with 227.

It was the first loss of the season for the Chiefs (5-1).

New England (4-2) led 24-9 at intermission, but Patrick Mahomes directed an impressive rally by Kansas City in the second half. He finished 23 of 36 for 352 yards in his first loss as a starting quarterback, with three of his four TD passes going to Tyreek Hill.

Mahomes threw two interceptions in the first half, but was unflappable down the stretch. He found Hill for a 75-yard touchdown pass that tied the game with just over three minutes remaining.

— Associated Press —

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