KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas coach Bill Self was chatting this week with someone who brought up the possibility that some unfortunate team with a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament might have to play its second game against Oklahoma State, which was once considered a Final Four contender. "I said, Just think if that happens in your conference tournament," Self responded. After winning their 10th straight regular-season title, the Jayhawks earned the top seed when the Big 12 tournament begins Wednesday night at the Sprint Center. But the reward is a first-round bye and a potential matchup with the eighth-seeded Cowboys in Thursdays quarterfinals; the two teams split their two meetings this year. Oklahoma State plays No. 9 seed Texas Tech in the first game Wednesday night. Seventh-seeded Baylor takes on No. 10 seed TCU in the nightcap of a double-header. "I think weve always had very competitive Big 12 tournaments," Self said, "but I dont know if I can ever remember where if theres a final between whatever seeds there are, it would be absolutely not a major surprise to anybody. Its going to be a pretty special weekend." The Big 12 has been the runaway leader in conference RPI all season, and some believe that it could land seven or eight teams in the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday. Just consider the games that will be played Thursday: Along with Kansas getting Oklahoma State or Texas Tech, second-seeded Oklahoma will play the Baylor-TCU winner, No. 3 seed Texas will play No. 6 seed West Virginia, and No. 4 seed Iowa State will play No. 5 seed Kansas State. "This league," Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith said, "is by far the toughest in the country." Thats why the Jayhawks still believe they can earn a No. 1 seed to the NCAA tournament, despite their 23-8 record. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State (20-11) is teetering around the bubble, and a win over Texas Tech might be enough to push the Cowboys firmly into the dance. Knocking off the Jayhawks would certainly do the trick. "Were just trying to worry about the next game," Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said, "and worrying about all that other stuff doesnt really do you any good." In that case, here are five things that fans SHOULD worry about: BUBBLE WATCH: Oklahoma State isnt the only team on the NCAA tournament bubble. Baylor (21-10) would feel much better with a win or two, while West Virginia (17-14) hopes the momentum it picked up by knocking off Kansas last weekend will propel it to enough wins in Kansas City to make a case on Selection Sunday. "I think if we won two wed be in great shape," said Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins, "but I think if we can win that first one that we would be pretty good." CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE: Kansas is the only current member to have won the Big 12 tournament since 2005 -- twice since then, Missouri won the title. In fact, Oklahoma and Iowa Stare are the only current schools besides the Jayhawks and Cowboys to have won. "No matter what people say, no matter what other teams do," Oklahoma States Marcus Smart said, "it goes through Kansas." STAR WATCH: There will be stars-a-plenty at the Big 12 tournament. Andrew Wiggins of Kansas is a potential No. 1 draft pick, Iowa States Melvin Ejim is the Big 12 player of the year and Smart is also a potential lottery pick. But one player who wont be on the floor is Jayhawks centre Joel Embiid, whos been ruled out for the Big 12 tournament and unlikely for the first week of the NCAA tournament because of a stress fracture in his back. HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE: Local schools Kansas and Kansas State always pack the Sprint Center, but Iowa State also tends to draw well -- its campus is a reasonable drive from Kansas City. That means itll be tough to secure a ticket to Thursdays first session, when the Cyclones play the Wildcats and Kansas is also in action in a tantalizing double-header. LONGSHOTS: Even longshots have coaches concerned this year. Texas Tech is the No. 9 seed but has wins over Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas on its resume. And nobody thought TCU would go winless in the league, so the No. 10 seed Horned Frogs could be primed for a first-round upset of the Bears. "Were going to do our best to keep within striking distance, like we have all year long, and give ourselves a chance down the stretch," TCU coach Trent Johnson said.
Michael Jordan Jersey . That assertion is getting harder and harder to make, especially given the way 23-year-old Danilo Gallinari has been playing this season.
Custom Washington Wizards Jerseys . On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations.
http://www.cheapwizardsjerseyssale.com/ ... ds-jersey/. The 2010 batting champ showed what he can do when hes mostly healthy. Gonzalez homered, doubled and singled in his return to the lineup, and the Colorado Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak with a 13-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.
Washington Wizards Jerseys . 98 jersey in a game yet, and already its a big seller.
Juwan Howard Jersey . MacArthur scored two goals, and the Senators outlasted Detroit in a testy third period to beat the Red Wings 4-2 on Saturday night.CALGARY - Keon Raymond scored the first touchdown of his life off an interception at the age of nine. That set the tone for his football career. The Calgary linebacker is one away from becoming the franchise leader in defensive touchdowns as the Stampeders (4-1) face the expansion Ottawa Redblacks (1-4) for the first time Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Watch the game on TSN starting at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Raymond tied Frank Andruskis club record last weekend when he intercepted former teammate Kevin Glenn and went 63 yards for the TD in Calgarys 25-24 loss to the B.C. Lions. "It would be a blessing if I was able to get another one," Raymond said Friday. "I dont worry about it. "If the opportunity presents itself, I want to take full advantage of it." The 31-year-old is in his seventh season wearing Calgarys galloping horse logo. Raymond signed a contract extension with the club in January. "It was one of the things I said when I signed back here is I want to be able to have my name on the side of this stadium one day, " Raymond said. "Thats one of the things that continues to fuel me." Raymonds pick-six against B.C. was his fourth. The other two TDs have come on fumble recoveries. He dabbled on offence as a receiver and running back in high school but said nothing beats the feeling of scoring off the opposing offences mistakes. "It sucks the life out of them and I dont mind being a vampire," he said. A staunch Calgary defence allowing a league-low 15.1 points per game has been a huge difference for Calgary this season. The clubs offence is the least productive in the West Division, averaging 24.6 points per game. However, B.C. became the first CFL team this season to surpass the 100-yard rushing plateau against Calgary. "Our biggest thing is to make sure were in position to win the game at all times," Raymond said. "We did that. "We just didnt close out defensively, so we want to make sure were able to bounce back and continue to play defence the way weve been playing." A former Stampeder quarterback returns to McMahon a second consecutive week although Ottawas Henry Burris spent two seasons as Hamiltons starter following his seven-year stint in Calgary. However, Raymonds familiarity with Burris will certainly help him anticipate his one-time teammates moves. And in 2012, Raymond returned a Burris interception 100 yards for a touchdown but he says he wont shirk his defensive responsibilities for a shot returning a second Burris pick for the team record. "I played with Hank for about five years and understand how he throws, what his looks are and what his main targets are," Raymond said. "It gives me a little bit of a bead on him, but I still have to make sure Im doing my part, covering guys and in the right position." Ottawa is ccoming off a 38-14 home loss to Saskatchewan and is averaging just 18.dddddddddddd8 points a game, ahead of only the Montreal Alouettes (15 points per game). However, Ottawa remains in contention in the East Division. The Toronto Argonauts are the only Eastern club with more than one win and are on their bye week. "Thats the silver lining behind all this," Burris said. "You never expected the East would get off to this slow of a start. We need to take full advantage of it. Thats what weve been preparing ourselves for all week. "Toronto has the bye this week, so we have the chance to tie them up. Hamilton is thinking the same thing as well as Montreal, so who is going to take that next step? Its sitting right there for us. We need to make that step happen and its going to start with our offence." The Stampeders supplied the Redblacks with significant manpower, both on their roster and coaching ranks. Ottawa selected Glenn, offensive lineman JMichael Deane and safety Eric Fraser in the expansion draft. But Glenn asked for and was granted a trade to the Lions after the Redblacks signed Burris as a free agent. The Stampeders also sent veteran offensive lineman Jon Gott to Ottawa for the first overall pick in the CFL Draft in May, using it to take Laval offensive lineman Pierre Lavertu. Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell spent the last two seasons as Calgarys defensive co-ordinator while offensive co-ordinator Mike Gibson is a former Stampeders offensive line coach. Ottawas first trade in February was acquiring defensive lineman Justin Phillips from Calgary, but Phillips is currently on the six-game injured list with a broken leg. There wasnt much for Ottawa to celebrate against Saskatchewan but the clubs first TD at home was certainly memorable. When backup quarterback Thomas Demarco punted the ball into the end zone, an on-side Dobson Collins raced downfield and jumped on it for the score. John Hufnagel, Calgarys head coach and GM, pointed out Campbells coaching roots are on special teams. "Hes always been known to have some tricks up his sleeve," Hufnagel said. With Canadian running backs Jon Cornish and Matt Walter still out with concussion symptoms, ratio issues will keep veteran slotback Nik Lewis a healthy scratch for a second week. Cornish, the CFLs most valuable player and leading rusher last season, hasnt played since the season opener. Cornish and Walter were both able to get into the weight room this week. Cornish also attended team meetings "so theyre both going in the right direction," Hufnagel said. NOTES: Burris needs 373 passing yards to become the fourth player in CFL history reach the 53,000-yard mark. Danny McManus is currently third at 53,255 . . . Stampeder cornerback Buddy Jackson returns to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury. ' ' '
Identificarse
Registrarse
FAQ
Buscar
