K-State's roster shake-up ignites state shifts. KU grapples with offseason unknowns and a pivotal basketball future after tournament heartbreak.
K-State domino effect, KU offseason questions headline Sunflower Showdown Ep. 12
The latest episode of Sunflower Showdown highlighted a shifting landscape across the state, from Kansas State’s roster movement to Kansas’ uncertain offseason following its NCAA Tournament exit.
Kansas State made early noise with the addition of former Belmont wing Devin Hutcherson, a three-star prospect who flipped his commitment after head coach Casey Alexander left for Manhattan. The move could be just the beginning.
“Basically all these former Belmont players, staff, they’re probably going to head over to K-State,” K-State Roundtable writer and co-host Jayden Armant said. “That’s something to watch with how this roster could change quickly.”
I echoed that sentiment, pointing to what it says about Alexander’s leadership.
“It shows how strong of a leader and coach he is that players and staff want to follow him,” I said. “That’s a good step in the right direction.”
On the football side, both programs opened spring practice with key storylines. For Kansas State, quarterback Avery Johnson’s growth remains a focal point.
“If he can have a really good year, he has the tools,” Armant said. “He’s a dual-threat guy, it’s just about pushing the ball downfield more.”
At Kansas, head coach Lance Leipold is taking a different approach this spring, limiting contact to keep players healthy while evaluating a wide-open quarterback battle.
“They’ve got Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard competing,” I said. “Ballard has experience, and then you add Dylan Edwards, that’s another dynamic piece.”
Basketball, however, remains the biggest talking point in Lawrence after KU’s loss to St. John’s. The Jayhawks stormed back from a 14-point deficit but fell on a last-second play.
“For Kansas it was just a lot of poor turnovers,” Armant said. “It didn’t even feel like a real game until those last few minutes.”
“It just felt like too many mistakes,” I added. “They let St. John’s shoot, and it came back to bite them.”
With roster decisions looming and uncertainty surrounding Bill Self’s future, both hosts agreed the coming weeks will be pivotal.
“I think it all starts up top,” I said. “Whatever Self decides, that’s going to shape everything.”
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