the 2011 Big 12 basketball tournament will get underway in Kansas City

Today the 2011 Big 12 basketball tournament will get underway in Kansas City. Aside from the Big East, the Big 12 is the most powerful conference in the country this season.

Here are five potential upsets in this year's Big 12 basketball tournament.

The Big 12 tournament should be an exciting display of basketball. Baylor enters the weekend hoping to be the biggest story in the nation. They have just lost their biggest star in Perry Jones III to suspension.

For the 13th consecutive year, Texas will compete in the NCAA Tournament. The Big 12 basketball tournament, then, is mostly about seeding for Texas. The most interesting question is what happens to Texas if they win the whole thing. A "Big 12 tournament championship"--pretty much the only accolade short of a national title that has eluded Barnes' career at Texas--would almost assuredly mean a win over Kansas or Kansas State. And given that the Big 12 tournament is in Kansas City, that win would effectively be a road win.

Would three straight wins be enough to get Texas back to the top line?
With three more wins, Texas would finish the year 28-6 overall, with a Top 10 RPI, Top 4 KenPom rating, and an excellent 9-3 record vs the RPI Top 50 (assuming Big 12 tourney wins over A&M and KU or KSU). That would include wins at Kansas and at North Carolina, with a third win effectively either at Kansas or K-State in the Big 12 title game.

What about its competition for the top seeds? Let's assume for simplicity's sake that Ohio State, Kansas, and Pitt are all locks for top seeds. The teams in contention for a top line bid appear to be Notre Dame, Duke, BYU, North Carolina, and Purdue.

If it's Duke, Texas has no prayer. If it's North Carolina, though... well, that's more interesting, because while Carolina has come on strong lately, they have that head-to-head loss with Texas. It's the same reason Texas would have a harder time stealing a top-line bid from Pitt.

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Cotton Bowl previwes

Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh will be making his choice for where he will be coaching in 2011 between Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers.

Jim Harbaugh is currently the hottest coaching prospect in America. Nearly every team would love a shot to sign the coach credited with turning Stanford around. However, it looks like the coach will be choosing between his current gig at Stanford and the nearby San Francisco 49ers.

A lot has changed since then, LSU and the Aggies don’t play annually anymore, and I have long since quit wearing Cross Colours and overalls with one sleeve hanging down.

Moving to the present season, Texas A&M comes into the Cotton Bowl on fire having beat Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma this year. Cyrus Gray has been dynamic since Christine Michael went down halfway through the season. Is it time to return the Wreckin Crew, complete with gang/hand sign back to the A&M defense?

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Nickey Van Exel turned himself

Former NBA player Nick Van Exel's 20-year-old, Nickey Van Exel, has been accused of murdering a friend and was arrested on Dec. 29. The shotgun Van Exel used for the murder has yet to be found and several of Eyo's possessions are missing, leading police to believe Van Exel also committed theft. Van Exel turned himself in and is said to be cooperating with police.

Bradley Bassey Eyo was found shot to death near Lake Ray Hubbard on Sunday. Police said Nickey Van Exel turned himself in Wednesday.

Nickey Van Exel's father, Nick Van Exel, played for the Dallas Mavericks from 2001-2003.
File this one under "Holy Crap": the 20-year-old son of former Laker Nick Van Exel has been charged with capital murder in Texas. Paul Johnson, Nickey's attorney, has reportedly told the AP that his client shot Eyo when the two were engaged in "horseplay" and that he didn't know the gun was loaded.

The elder Van Exel, apparently, works for the Atlanta Hawks these days as a player development instructor.

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Winter Classic Saturday

Winter Classic tickets may be next to impossible to come by, but many fans will still dress for the game.

A National Hockey League executive pledged that Washington D.C. will host the Winter Classic in the future"We've talked about those possibilities," Daly said.
The surging populairty of the Capitals has drawn the NHL's attention.
Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis joined the Fan Morning to talk about his upcoming event at the Hard Rock Cafe. Bettis will be hosting a viewing party for the Winter Classic sponsored by Pepsi Max.
Bettis said, this year’s team is not the same team that went into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed to win Super Bowl XL. Jerome also throws his vote on the pile for Maurkice Pouncey for team MVP.
- Winter Classic Pep Rally, noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Market Square. Penguins Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange, Stanley Cup champion Phil Bourque and WDVE Morning Show host Val Porter will join Pens mascot Iceburgh and members of the Ice Crew to help cheer on the Pens. The display will features interactive hockey attractions, live radio broadcasts and NHL sponsor giveaways.
- Winter Classic community rink, between Heinz Field and Stage AE, North Shore. Admission: $7 per session. Skate rental is $3 per session.
- Carnegie Science Center, North Shore. Visitors can demonstrate their skills with interactive hockey games in Highmark SportsWorks. The center will be closed on Saturday. Details: carnegiesciencecenter.org.

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delta state university

Delta state university (Delsu) has released the second batch of its admission list.
Quarterback Micah Davis is continuing a family tradition at Delta State.Delta State plays Minnesota-Duluth (14-0) for the title on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Florence, Ala--Whenever Delta State needed a big offensive play, Davis delivered.

“He’s the hardest-working quarterback I’ve coached,” Statesmen coach Ron Roberts said.
In high school, the 6-foot-1 Davis was an unknown until his senior season concluded in 2007. Davis swept MVP honors at the Bernard Blackwell Classic and the 1A/2A/3A All-Star Baseball Game.

“Not many people knew about Wesson,” Davis said. Davis signed with homestanding Copiah-Lincoln, where his father, Glenn Davis, is the Wolves’ coach. Davis earned MVP honors in the MACJC All-Star Game in 2008--Coach Davis shifts most of Davis’ success to his wife, Minta Davis.

“Micah’s mother did a great job raising him and his sister (Ann Shelby) when I was coaching,” Coach Davis said. The elder Davis played linebacker at Delta State in the early 1980s and later served as running backs coach at Mississippi State from 1997 to 2003.
“Following in my dad’s footsteps is awesome,” Davis said. Davis was redshirted in 2008, as the Statesmen reloaded for their current run of success.

“Having a quarterback coach also helped. Davis doesn’t have any regrets playing at Delta State. With a final year of eligibility remaining in 2011, Davis will enroll in graduate school.
“Delta State is always competing for a national title every year,” Davis said.
Students at a pair of local north Alabama elementary schools were treated to a visit by some 60 members of the University of Minnesota Duluth football team Friday morning.

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Jenn Sterger would not pursue any litigation against Favre

BRETT FAVRE, the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback, will not be sued by the former "New York Jets" hostess "JENN STERGER" if he's punished by the NFL, according to the Associated Press, who quoted Sterger's manager last week. Sterger's attorney confirmed that the NFL had now concluded its investigation of Favre's actions, and that the findings have been sent to the commissioner's office for review.

Dan asked if the NFL suspended Favre, would Jenn Sterger drop the whole thing. "If the commissioner suspends Favre and puts a program in place to prevent it from happening again ... 100 percent, Jenn would not pursue any litigation against Favre, against the Jets, against the NFL. Dan asked if Sterger complained to the Jets when this was going on. Fascinating stuff, huh? So Reese claims that if the NFL suspends Favre and institutes a sexual harassment prevention training program the Sterger camp will elect not to sue.
Sounds like a plan, right?

The alleged messages from Favre to Jenn Sterger were sent in 2008, the QB's only season with the Jets.
Reese said Sterger wants the league to discipline Favre before his career ends. There are four regular–season games remaining.

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Brett Favre we're talking about here

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre told ESPN he remains uncertain about whether his record streak of consecutive starts will be extended to 298 regular-season games Sunday.
Of all the games I've played during the streak where I've been injured, this is probably the most indecisive I've been.''
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was back on the practice field Friday, raising hope that he might be able to keep his record streak alive.

Vikings interim head coach Leslie Frazier met with the media following practice and said Favre is still in some pain from the sprained SC joint suffered five days earlier in their game against the Bills. Favre is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, which would be his 298th straight start, if he plays. As recently as Wednesday, Favre was still having trouble putting on shirts and socks, and he didn't practice or even try to throw until Friday.

But this is Brett Favre we're talking about here.

So there Brett Favre was on the practice field at the Vikings indoor Winter Park facility Friday, softly throwing passes during the stretching portion of workouts that reporters were allowed to observe. To be clear, the quarterback doesn't always throw a pass on passing plays in these situations. For instance, Tarvaris Jackson took the next three snaps: three drop-backs, no passes.

Frazier made it clear earlier this week that the decision on Favre would be based on a combination of factors: analysis from the team's medical staff, Favre's feedback and their observations of Favre Brett Favre in practice. Friday was the first step toward Favre playing Sunday, and it was a baby step, to be sure. In the meantime, Vikings trainers will huddle with Frazier and Brett Favre to determine whether having him throw some on Saturday during the walk-through would be a good idea or if saving his arm until Sunday would be most prudent.

Also under consideration is a pain-killing shot. It's apparent Favre's teammates expect to see No. 4 on the field Sunday.

"I'd be real surprised [if he didn't play]," receiver Sidney Rice said. Again, assuming Favre does play, staying in the game will be another matter. Making matters worse, Favre could be without his two starting guards against the Giants' prolific pass rush, as Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson continues to miss practice and seems unlikely to play because of a broken right thumb.

"Brett Favre is a special, special player," Frazier said.

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Randy Moss New Home?

The Minnesota Vikings aren't the only ones who are bidding good riddance to Randy Moss.

Gus Tinucci, a local caterer, is offering free lunch to anyone who brings in Randy Moss. gear after he said the receiver likened the elaborate spread Tinucci made for the team to dog food, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

"Randy Moss" was released by the Vikings following a post-game tirade on Sunday when he criticized Vikings' coach Brad Childress' game plan and said he wouldn't speak to the media anymore. The restaurant owner said Moss walked up to the spread - which included pork ribs, chicken and pasta and waved his arms in disgust.

Tinucci said a member of the Vikings staff quickly apologized for the outburst and many Vikings players came up after the meal to compliment the food. A locker room attendant told Tinucci that the Moss buffet outburst had become routine for the Vikings.

The wide receiver was scooped up by the Tennessee Titans, which put a claim on Randy Moss on Wednesday. Interestingly enough the Titans had passed over Moss in the 1998 but jumped at the chance to add Moss to their roster this time around.

SI.com’s Don Banks breaks down five reasons that Tennessee was willing to take a chance on Randy Moss s with just a few weeks remaining in the season.

Among the reasons: The Titans don’t have a wide receiver. Also, Jeff Fisher isn’t all that concerned with locker room nonsense. Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech (7:30 p.m., ET) – 6-2 Virginia Tech will face off against 5-3 Georgia Tech tonight in Blacksburg. New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls (8:00 p.m. ET) – after some unplanned asbestos issues at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night, the Knicks will finally get back on the court in Chicago to take on the Bulls.

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