The Super Bowl closes the NFL season and the NFL Combine opens the next one.

The stakes are high for the Chiefs at this year’s scouting event in Indianapolis. This is where the team begins to get better.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell break down what the Chiefs should look to accomplish at the Combine — and which top prospects might interest them.

Also, just as the Winter Olympics wrap up, the next big international sporting competition is on the horizon. The World Baseball Classic begins next week, and the Royals are well represented with eight players spread across five teams. KC catcher Salvador Perez, who serves as a captain for Venezuela, speaks to the national pride in the event.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:03 – What’s the point of the NFL Combine?

11:08 — The Chiefs’ priorities at the Combine

20:05 — Which Royals will be in the World Baseball Classic?

22:03 — What’s on Blair’s Radar?

When it comes to FIFA World Cup base camps, Kansas City can flex.

Three of the world’s top-seven teams — Argentina, England and Netherlands — have made it official: They’re summer camping in KC.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell explains how Kansas City created the conditions to land those teams — and what it means to have them and their fans coming to the Heartland.

Also, Kansas State reporter Kellis Robinett goes inside the coaching change at K-State. Jerome Tang is out, and the Wildcats are in the market for a new men’s basketball coach.

Complicating matters: Tang was fired with cause for postgame press conference comments, and he plans to fight the school for his $18.67 million buy out.

1:07 — Why England, Argentina and the Netherlands chose KC

9:37 — The barbecue restaurant that lured Argentina to KC

16:58 — Did K-State make the right call in firing Jerome Tang?

29:36 - What’s on Blair’s radar this week

Top-ranked Arizona didn’t face the potential top player in the NBA Draft when it visited Kansas on Monday Night, but it did take on a motivated KU team in a raucous environment. The Jayhawks prevailed 82-78, even without Darryn Peterson, in dramatic fashion.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, KU beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha break down the action at Allen Fieldhouse: how the Jayhawks rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit and why Bill Self was emotional about this victory.

After a break, KCUR interim news director Madeline Fox discusses where Kansas City stands with FIFA World Cup base camps. National teams are beginning to identify where they want to train and lodge during their stay in North America this summer, and Kansas City finds itself in an advantageous position.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:51 - Beat Writers break down the electric KU game vs Arizona

7:37 - KU’s To be or not be with Darryn Peterson

11:40 - What did KU prove?

15:22 - What we know about World Cup Base Camps in KC

20:19 - Is KC ready for the World Cup?

25:53 - What’s on Blair’s Radar

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Randy Mason, Monty Davis, Irvin Zhang, Alison Booth, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.