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Markus Wheaton Steelers Jersey . -- 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.
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Ben Roethlisberger Steelers Jersey . Blatter spoke Sunday in the Paraguay capital, where he attended a special congress of South American football officials aimed at toughening up rules against government intervention in football in the region.SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers stunned the Denver Broncos five weeks ago, making Peyton Manning look average and claiming a road victory that was part of a late-season surge that helped sweep San Diego into the playoffs. Theyll have to do it again Sunday in a divisional-round game against the top-seeded Broncos in Denver to keep their January joyride going. "Were going to come in there with a vengeance and see if we can shock the world again," Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle said Thursday. As much as the Chargers offence contributed to the 27-20 victory at Denver on Dec. 12, defensive co-ordinator John Pagano came up with a game plan that helped frustrate Manning and the high-powered Broncos. The Bolts held the Broncos to season lows in points and total offensive yards (295). The Broncos had only 18 yards rushing. The Broncos were forced to punt on four straight possessions in the second and third quarters, a streak that started with three straight three-and-outs. "Its always a challenge for us as a staff for putting those things together when you see an opponent for the third time," Pagano said. "Theres so many things that they know about us and we know about them. It really comes down to between the lines, players going out and executing. Sometimes you cant worry about, Oh, theyve seen this before, or done this before. Youve just got to go out and execute. If players go at a high level no matter what the call is and we got execute, youre always going to have that success. "We know each other so well that youve got to disguise a little bit and change it up a little bit." Pagano said the Chargers communicated well, didnt give up big plays and tackled well. "When you do those three things defensively, it always gives you an opportunity to win." While Manning is 3-1 against San Diego since coming to the Broncos, the Chargers eliminated the Manning-led Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs following the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Pagano said every game is different and can change on one play. He mentioned a big play in Sundays 27-10 wild-card victory at Cincinnati. With the Bengals driving for the go-ahead score in the second quarter, inside linebacker Donald Butler forced Giovani Bernard to fumble after a reception just before halftime Sunday, with San Diegos Richard Marshall recovering in the end zone. "When Donald made that caused fumble down there in the red zone, the football universe rotateed and it switched," Pagano said.
Terry Bradshaw Steelers Jersey. "Those are the things that change for you. Each games different. Weve got to go out and weve got to execute. All the success of the past staffs and past players have had, you hope to play at a high level like they did before." Nonetheless, theres something special about playing Manning. "Hes the best. Hes one of the greatest to ever play our game," Pagano said. "Its how we are every Sunday, though. Its the No. 1 offence. Its the greatest offence to ever play in the National Football League, yards-wise, production-wise. Its a big-time challenge, in a hostile environment, that our guys are getting their minds right and getting focused on." The December victory at Denver was special in a lot of ways for Pagano. When rookie coach Mike McCoy awarded game balls in the locker room, the first one went to Pagano. His father, Sam, watched from the sideline. Pagano and his older brother, Chuck, coach of the Colts, played for their father at Fairview High in Boulder. Sam Pagano will be on the sideline again Sunday. "Hell be right down there, guarding the heaters, like always," John Pagano said. "Hes always right there. Anytime you can get him down on the field, its exciting." Also Thursday, Ken Whisenhunt, whos in his first season as San Diegos offensive co-ordinator, refused to confirm reports that hell be interviewed this week by Detroit, Tennessee and Cleveland for their head coaching vacancies. "I understand the process and I appreciate the interest, but I just want to make sure everyone understands were focused on the game Sunday," Whisenhunt said. How can he focus with three interviews in as many days? "Its not hard," he said. "Its a playoff game. Thats where the focus has been. Anything outside of that has been secondary." Asked if he bought a house here or is renting, he said: "Ive enjoyed living here." Whisenhunt was offensive co-ordinator with Pittsburgh when the Steelers won the Super Bowl after the 2005 season. He coached Arizona into the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, losing to the Steelers. McCoy doesnt think Whisenhunts busy interview schedule will be a distraction or keep him from preparing for the game. "I have complete confidence in our entire staff that theres one goal in mind. Thats to find a way to win this game. Thats been our mindset and were not changing that," McCoy said.
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Markus Wheaton Steelers Jersey . -- 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.
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Ben Roethlisberger Steelers Jersey . Blatter spoke Sunday in the Paraguay capital, where he attended a special congress of South American football officials aimed at toughening up rules against government intervention in football in the region.SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers stunned the Denver Broncos five weeks ago, making Peyton Manning look average and claiming a road victory that was part of a late-season surge that helped sweep San Diego into the playoffs. Theyll have to do it again Sunday in a divisional-round game against the top-seeded Broncos in Denver to keep their January joyride going. "Were going to come in there with a vengeance and see if we can shock the world again," Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle said Thursday. As much as the Chargers offence contributed to the 27-20 victory at Denver on Dec. 12, defensive co-ordinator John Pagano came up with a game plan that helped frustrate Manning and the high-powered Broncos. The Bolts held the Broncos to season lows in points and total offensive yards (295). The Broncos had only 18 yards rushing. The Broncos were forced to punt on four straight possessions in the second and third quarters, a streak that started with three straight three-and-outs. "Its always a challenge for us as a staff for putting those things together when you see an opponent for the third time," Pagano said. "Theres so many things that they know about us and we know about them. It really comes down to between the lines, players going out and executing. Sometimes you cant worry about, Oh, theyve seen this before, or done this before. Youve just got to go out and execute. If players go at a high level no matter what the call is and we got execute, youre always going to have that success. "We know each other so well that youve got to disguise a little bit and change it up a little bit." Pagano said the Chargers communicated well, didnt give up big plays and tackled well. "When you do those three things defensively, it always gives you an opportunity to win." While Manning is 3-1 against San Diego since coming to the Broncos, the Chargers eliminated the Manning-led Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs following the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Pagano said every game is different and can change on one play. He mentioned a big play in Sundays 27-10 wild-card victory at Cincinnati. With the Bengals driving for the go-ahead score in the second quarter, inside linebacker Donald Butler forced Giovani Bernard to fumble after a reception just before halftime Sunday, with San Diegos Richard Marshall recovering in the end zone. "When Donald made that caused fumble down there in the red zone, the football universe rotateed and it switched," Pagano said.
Terry Bradshaw Steelers Jersey. "Those are the things that change for you. Each games different. Weve got to go out and weve got to execute. All the success of the past staffs and past players have had, you hope to play at a high level like they did before." Nonetheless, theres something special about playing Manning. "Hes the best. Hes one of the greatest to ever play our game," Pagano said. "Its how we are every Sunday, though. Its the No. 1 offence. Its the greatest offence to ever play in the National Football League, yards-wise, production-wise. Its a big-time challenge, in a hostile environment, that our guys are getting their minds right and getting focused on." The December victory at Denver was special in a lot of ways for Pagano. When rookie coach Mike McCoy awarded game balls in the locker room, the first one went to Pagano. His father, Sam, watched from the sideline. Pagano and his older brother, Chuck, coach of the Colts, played for their father at Fairview High in Boulder. Sam Pagano will be on the sideline again Sunday. "Hell be right down there, guarding the heaters, like always," John Pagano said. "Hes always right there. Anytime you can get him down on the field, its exciting." Also Thursday, Ken Whisenhunt, whos in his first season as San Diegos offensive co-ordinator, refused to confirm reports that hell be interviewed this week by Detroit, Tennessee and Cleveland for their head coaching vacancies. "I understand the process and I appreciate the interest, but I just want to make sure everyone understands were focused on the game Sunday," Whisenhunt said. How can he focus with three interviews in as many days? "Its not hard," he said. "Its a playoff game. Thats where the focus has been. Anything outside of that has been secondary." Asked if he bought a house here or is renting, he said: "Ive enjoyed living here." Whisenhunt was offensive co-ordinator with Pittsburgh when the Steelers won the Super Bowl after the 2005 season. He coached Arizona into the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, losing to the Steelers. McCoy doesnt think Whisenhunts busy interview schedule will be a distraction or keep him from preparing for the game. "I have complete confidence in our entire staff that theres one goal in mind. Thats to find a way to win this game. Thats been our mindset and were not changing that," McCoy said.
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