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South supremacy: Tech, OU to battle with huge implications
The Texas Tech football program has made a habit this season of silencing doubters and controlling a Big 12 South division considered the toughest of any in America.
Heisman hopefuls
Trophy near-lock to land in Big 12
Three players in the Big 12 era have won the Heisman Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player in college football at the end of each season. Barring any outrageous circumstance, the conference will add a fourth in 2008. This player would join Ricky Williams (Texas, 1998), Eric Crouch (Nebraska, 2001) and Jason White (Oklahoma, 2003) in striking the famous pose.
Captains of the comeback: Erasing deficits becoming normal at Texas Tech under Leach
The art of the comeback is not a new concept to the Texas Tech football program under coach Mike Leach. Last week’s 39-33 triumph at home over then-top ranked Texas made for spectacular theater. It was the most significant victory in Tech’s 83-year history.
Weight-room work has worked for Taylor
When freshman Tyshawn Taylor arrived at Kansas University from New Jersey this summer, he had no problem showcasing his outgoing personality to his teammates. Put Taylor in front of anybody and he could likely hold an hour-long conversation without hesitation or any awkward, long-lasting silence.
Reed competitive on court, links
Sophomore working to improve defense, round out offense
There’s no lack of competitive spark in Tyrel Reed, even off the basketball court. When he’s not on the floor trying to improve his game, the Kansas University sophomore guard likes to hit the links. Golf is just another way for Reed to bond with his teammates.
Tech turnaround: Defense, run game suddenly present for Raiders
In the eight seasons Mike Leach has completed as head coach of the Texas Tech football program, the Red Raiders have led the nation in passing yards in seven of those years. But Tech never seemed to be an elite national program. The Red Raiders were fun to talk about at parties in terms of how their offense scored at the prolific rate of Bo Jackson in the original Tecmo Bowl.
A New No. 1: Texas maturing into punishing force
No more than a few weeks ago, the University of Texas football program wasn’t even ranked in the top 10. The Longhorns were: ¢ Too young and inexperienced. ¢ The third-best team in the Big 12 on a good day. Maybe fourth best if Texas Tech lived up to expectations. ¢ Unable to punish teams with a power running attack like classic Texas teams of the past. Coach Mack Brown even called the Longhorns “under the radar” at No. 11 before the season. He said it was a positive for his young team. Oh, what a victory over a top-ranked Oklahoma team can do in the national title picture.
Historic powers take center stage in Dallas
The debate may continue for the majority of the season as to who’s the best quarterback in the Big 12 Conference, or which team’s spread offense packs the most exciting punch. There’s little debate, though, when considering the most heated, intense and passionate rivalry in the 12-year history of the conference. Unless Big 12 fans have been waking up on another planet the last 12 years, they know the Texas-Oklahoma Red River Rivalry is historically the most coveted ticket to any game in the conference.
Meier rises to occasion
When the opportunity presented itself for Kansas University to leave its field-goal team on the sidelines and go for a touchdown instead, Kerry Meier knew his name would be called. And as he usually does, the Jayhawks’ most sure-handed football receiver delivered on a challenging fourth-and-seven with Kansas trailing Iowa State on the road in the third quarter. Talk about a crowd silencer.
FINAL: Kansas escapes, 35-33
FINAL: Kansas 35, Iowa State 33. Todd Reesing threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, Kerry Meier caught seven passes for 125 yards and two scores, and No. 16 Kansas held off Iowa State, 35-33, on Saturday in Ames, Iowa. Jake Sharp also added 185 yards of offense for the Jayhawks, who improved to 4-1 on the season.
The most unbreakable records in Big 12 history
Missouri’s Chase Daniel and Texas’ Colt McCoy recently threw themselves - literally - into the Big 12 Conference football record books. Daniel set a conference record for consecutive completions in a game with 20 in Missouri’s 42-21 victory over Buffalo on Saturday, eclipsing the previous marks of 18 by Sam Bradford (2007) and Seneca Wallace (2001).
End zone envy: High-powered Big 12 leads country in scoring
In the turbo-charged world of Big 12 Conference football, scoring is king. Take these sample scores from the first three weeks of the season to refresh the memory. Keep in mind the following opponents who faced these Big 12 teams all made bowl games last season: Missouri 52, Illinois 42; Oklahoma State 56, Houston 37; Texas 52, Florida Atlantic 10; Oklahoma 52, Cincinnati 26. The bottom line: These outrageous scoring outputs are mandatory in the new era of spread offenses and winning football games in the Big 12. And the statistics prove it.
The Stillwater power trio
Robinson, Hunter, Bryant making splash in Big 12
They’re not exactly household names, these three Oklahoma State Cowboys. They’re recipients of little national attention. They’re overshadowed by the No. 4 team in the nation that resides an hour-and-change south in Norman, Okla.
Welcome back: How will Big 12 schools fare in Week One?
At long last, the wait is over. Kind of a lengthy wait, too, for college football fans. Big 12 supporters who watched their teams play in bowl games last season endured roughly eight months without football. Essentially, it’s the longest wait in sports. Not to worry, though: College football season is only three days away for most Big 12 fans; one day away for the Baylor and Iowa State faithful.
Sorrentino: Rivalries renewed: Ranking the biggest games in the Big 12 this fall
Five teams have legitimate shots of winning the Big 12 Conference this upcoming football season. All due respect to Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Baylor: It’s just not going to happen this year. However, the conference looks as powerful as it’s been since 2001, when the Associated Press ranked four Big 12 teams in the top 10.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Paydirt potential
Introducing Big 12's best playmakers
With 10 of its top 12 quarterbacks returning, the Big 12 Conference should be anything but boring during the upcoming college football season. Some of the best quarterbacks in the country play in the Big 12, as evidenced from the “Mt. Passmore” feature showcased on page 1B of today’s sports section. But what about the guys that complete the highlight reel?
Red River tossup: Oklahoma, Texas favorites in early preseason poll
OK, so the 2008-2009 men’s college basketball season is 31â2 months away. But we know which key players from the Big 12 Conference left early for the NBA Draft and which key players stayed in school. Rosters are beginning to take shape. Incoming freshmen, for the most part, have arrived on their campuses.
Sorrentino Scale
Staff writer Eric Sorrentino ranks the Big 12 basketball teams from best to worst.
Tigers RB Temple also wanting to prove himself at next level
Former Missouri running back Tony Temple just wants a chance. One chance to prove he should have been snagged in April’s 2008 NFL Draft. One chance to prove the Cotton Bowl-record 281 rushing yards and four touchdowns he recorded in his final game in a Missouri uniform wasn’t a fluke.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Draft-day duopoly
Pac-10, Big 12 dominate NBA radar screens
The draft lottery recently suggested the most NBA-ready players in college basketball competed in the Big 12 and Pacific-10 conferences last season. Of the 14 lottery picks taken in last week’s NBA Draft in New York, eight came from the Big 12 or Pac-10.
Draft unites teammates, rivals
Beasley, Chalmers immediate players in Miami's rebuilding project
After all 60 NBA Draft selections were made and the league approved a plethora of trades that would leave Albert Einstein perplexed, here’s a few images basketball fans can start formulating in their minds: Mario Chalmers passing to Michael Beasley; Brandon Rush dishing to brother Kareem; D.J. Augustin setting up Jason Richardson and Emeka Okafor for high-percentage looks.
Kansas Comet honored by Sports Commission
Former KU football great Gale Sayers headlines KCSC's P.R.O.P.S. awards night
Gale Sayers sat at a table Thursday afternoon in the Sprint Center’s Founder’s Room, reminiscing about one of the most memorable athletic years in the history of Kansas University. He looked sharp, sporting a black suit with silver pinstripes. He spoke softly, with several hints of passion for his alma mater, which won the Orange Bowl and the national championship in basketball in the same academic year.
Setting the juco trend
K-State reshaping roster with influx of transfers
While most Big 12 football teams have junior-college transfers sprinkled across their rosters, Kansas State has started a trend in the conference. Forget the traditional method of bringing in juco transfers to plug a hole or two. Coach Ron Prince now has enough juco players to revamp the entire team.
Top 5 Big 12 juco transfers
In all, 44 junior-college football players transferred to Big 12 Conference schools for the 2008 season. Here are the top five to keep tabs on, ordered with the most anticipated impact player first.
Last men standing
A&M lone conference survivor from regionals
Big 12 Conference baseball pride was in serious jeopardy last weekend. Of the six conference teams that made the NCAA Tournament, five of them were knocked out in the first weekend of regionals. Texas, which won national championships in 2002 and 2005, couldn’t keep its three-year title pattern within reach in 2008.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Crow not right fit in K.C.
Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft is set for Thursday, and two compelling local storylines will be discussed amongst Lawrence baseball enthusiasts. Storyline No. 1: With the No. 3 overall pick, with whom will the Kansas City Royals stock their farm system? Storyline No. 2: Where will Missouri ace Aaron Crow, who had a 2008 stretch of 43 consecutive scoreless innings, end up?
Sorrentino Scale
Staff writer Eric Sorrentino ranks the Big 12 baseball teams from best to worst.
Big 12 title up for grabs
Top eight fight for postseason championship
In case anyone’s keeping track, Texas A&M leads the Big 12 in postseason conference championships this academic year with five. There have been 19 postseason sports titles played out in the Big 12, and one more remains, lingering into the summer after college students have vacated their respective campuses.
Tough as nails
Many on bubble in Big 12 before conference tourney
The importance of the regular season, compared to the postseason, seems to vary within each sport. With football, for instance, it can be argued no other sport places as much importance on the regular season. To even have a shot at a conference title and/or BCS berth, teams typically have a margin of error of one loss.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: North making strides
Comparing the Big 12 North football division to the Big 12 South division a few years ago used to be like comparing the NBA Eastern Conference to the Western Conference.
Sorrentino Spring Scale
Staff writer Eric Sorrentino hands out preseason Big 12 football rankings from best to worst.
Big 12 South Preview: Locked & loaded
OU beams with returning talent
When it comes to the Big 12 South, the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas typically decides which team will advance to the conference championship game with a chance at a BCS berth.
Debatable division
Kansas, Mizzou front-runners in Big 12 North
Kansas and Missouri didn’t do anything to alleviate the tension of the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi River last fall. The football success of the Jayhawks and Tigers brought into focus a not-so-surprising newsflash on the national radar: These teams don’t like each other.
Draft day looms
Talib, Kelly emerge as Big 12's most likely first-round picks
It’s been 15 years since the Kansas University football team had a player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Stay or go?
Conference stars ponder big question
As many as eight Big 12 basketball players could leave the college ranks early for the NBA. Some decisions were no-brainers. Others should use their brains and return to school to further develop their games:
A defining moment
The 10 best Big 12 games of the season
When Mario Chalmers left his spot on the right wing and made his way toward the top of the key in a designed weave to get the junior guard the ball, a crowd of 43,257 at the Alamodome watched the release of the most historic and biggest shot in the history of the Big 12 Conference. Before Monday’s 75-68 KU victory, no Big 12 team ever had won the national title.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Deja vu avoided in Texas
With 2:12 left in regulation of Kansas’ 75-68 overtime triumph against Memphis on Monday, similarities to the 2003 national championship against Syracuse were eerily present.
KU carries torch for conference yet again
Jayhawks own three of league's six all-time Final Four appearances
If Kansas were to capture its third national championship this season, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it would be the most prominent victory in the history of the Big 12 Conference.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Texas floor general resembles NBA MVP
Texas point guard D.J. Augustin is like an artist with the basketball, gracefully competing in a rapidly moving sport with 100 percent control of his maneuvers.
Taking their best shot
Kansas, Texas two steps closer to Final Four
The Final Four is a week and a half away, and the Big 12 Conference still has two chances to send a team to college-basketball utopia.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: A&M too inconsistent for deep run
If this season is any indication, there’s no possible way of telling how Texas A&M will fare against BYU at 6:25 p.m. Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.
All eyes on San Antonio
Six Big 12 teams have sights set on making run to Final Four
It’s one day away from the Big Dance and Big 12 Conference teams are sprinkled across all areas of the bracket in anticipation for the most exciting time in college basketball.
This week in the Big 12 Conference…
So how much sleep did Kansas State coach Frank Martin get after he found out the Wildcats were a No. 11 seed and would face No. 6 USC?
Bubble trouble?
Which teams are in and which are out from the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference basketball fans have two ways of looking at their teams’ chances of competing in the big dance, which begins March 20. Situation No. 1: Glass half full. Optimistically, the Big 12 has a chance to land as many as six bids to the tournament.
This week in the Big 12 Conference
The first game of the Big 12 tournament, which will feature Oklahoma State against Texas Tech at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, will carry a prominent coaching storyline.
Little giant killers
Texas boasts one of nation's most appealing resumes
It might be difficult for the Texas Longhorns to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament after the loss to Texas Tech.
Sorrentino scale
Staff writer Eric Sorrentino ranks the Big 12 basketball teams from best to worst.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Barnes revitalizes program
There’s a reason Texas men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes is locked into a contract that would keep him in Austin until 2017. Simply put, he’s the best basketball coach in the history of the program.
Sorrentino: Sorrentino: Benching Walker right call
When Kansas State and Nebraska met last week in Lincoln, Neb., a rare situation presented itself: Bill Walker rode the pine for the final 9:33. The KSU standout freshman didn’t foul out. Coach Frank Martin just left Walker on the bench as a spectator. K-State ended up losing at Nebraska, which was second-to-last in the Big 12 Conference standings at the time.
Sorrentino Scale
Staff writer Eric Sorrentino ranks the Big 12 basketball teams from best to worst.
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Kansas women's basketball to play St. Louis November 21, 2008
Tolefree signs to play volleyball at KU November 21, 2008
Kansas regroups, preps for Missouri November 21, 2008
Jayhawks look for help from hometown KC crowd November 20, 2008
KU's Smith plays through pain November 20, 2008
