Lee Barfknecht of the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD reported yesterday, “two Big 12 sources confirmed to The World-Herald that last week Nebraska and Missouri were given a drop-dead date — this Friday afternoon — to commit to the Big 12. Nebraska, with a Board of Regents meeting this weekend, asked for a delay into the week of June 14-18.”

(Lew/KU’s Conference To Sleep With The Fishes?)

Nebraska’s decision on conference affiliation reportedly could trigger six schools bolting from the Big 12 to the Pac-10. Those half-dozen schools reportedly don’t include Kansas.

If you want to take the temperature of Kansans on that matter, Topeka Capital-Journal columnist Kevin Haskin provides a significant sample today:

Calling all politicians.

Pat Roberts, Sam Brownback, Kathleen Sebelius, Mark Parkinson … anyone with any connections whatsoever. Be it a regent, congressman, mayor, board chairman, entertainer or evangelist.

The time is now to get involved on behalf of Kansas and Kansas State.

Find a phone number or address for Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman and rehearse a persuasive plea.

PLEEEESE! Do not abandon longtime partners you’ve competed against, and cajoled with, since helmets were made of leather.

While the dynamics of conference realignment are all about football, the shaky future of the Big 12 is more than just an athletics matter for KU and K-State.

If the Wildcats and Jayhawks are no longer competing in the big-time — repeat, rinse, repeat: B-C-S — virtually anything at K-State and KU could be affected. Adversely.

Both would still strive to be exemplary universities, retain great faculty, conduct breakthrough research and graduate sharp, promising professionals.

But enrollment could decline, perhaps significantly. Without as much sports exposure — be it daily on ESPN updates or over the course of a team schedule through television opportunities — the universities lose invaluable branding.

Embattled Kansas Athletic Director Lew Perkins strikes a similar tone on the subject:

“The most important thing for the University of Kansas and for college athletics is expansion. That’s it.

“If I said I wasn’t worried, I’d be a fool. I am worried every day — not only about Kansas and the Big 12, but for the Pac-10, the Big Ten. … This is serious, serious, serious stuff. I am concerned.”

Then there’s the most powerful man in Kansas, Jayhawks basketball coach Bill Self: Read more…

While the Kansas Jayhawks are currently practicing for their upcoming title defense in college basketball, one of their incoming freshman has been working on his shooting range. Though the fine folks at Kansas would appreciate if he limited his shooting practice to the court instead of his dorm room window.

Markieff Morris spent his free time last Saturday night playing with his three-foot long Airsoft air rifle. And by playing with it, I mean getting drunk and then shooting at people out the window.

Read more…

Goodness knows I’m breathless in anticipation of another angle on Brett Favre’s descent into AFC anonymity, so I present crack coverage from the WATERTOWN (WI) DAILY TIMES.

Today, Daily Times reporter Adam Tobias went to really the only source that matters when it comes to finding out the genuine reax of Team Favre to the Jets deal: Favre’s pilot.

Grant Goetsch skippers Favre’s well-chronicled private plane, and confirmed what the rest of the world outside of Oyster Bay knows: “He knew there was a bidding, he knew that they (Packers) had a higher offer from the Jets and he knew that the Packers wanted him to go to the Jets. He didn’t want to really go to the Jets.

“He and his agent were continually working I’m sure all night talking on and off with the different teams. He was aware of both (teams), but the comment was made that he wasn’t as interested in the Jets.”

Wasn’t as interested in the Jets? Who said millionaire ballplayers aren’t like Everyman? Favre definitely falls into the majority of the non-masochistic, male population with that “comment.”

Here’s the wife of a ballplayer you just might know:

Said ballplayer revealed after the jump.

With all the recent defections in college basketball - the Lopez Twins, O.J. Mayo, Trent Johnson - at least one guy has decided to stay put.

(“Show me the security!”)

The KANSAS CITY STAR reports that Bill Self will remain at Kansas, putting end to speculation that the Jayhawks coach would soon be flying south to Stillwater to helm the Oklahoma State hoops program.

Read more…

Wow, that was some national championship game, wasn’t it?

• The best part of last night’s title tilt - spotting Greg Ostertag afterwards.

• With March Madness finally over, will Bill Self & John Calipari be seeking employment elsewhere?

• Overall, the Final Four rocked - even if it really didn’t hip-hop.

• And who better to ease the Memphis Tigers’ pain than Jesse Jackson?

Read more…

In the aftermath of KU blindsiding the Memphis Tigers last night, today we’re sure you’ll be hearing more about Bill Self’s flirtation with his alma mater, and Coach Cal’s previous insistence that that free throw thing really is overrated.

(Singing the blues right about now)

We were at the game, and it was pretty damn thrilling. But not as exciting as our postgame experience.

As we watched the video board play “One Shining Moment” with all the relieved (not excited) Kansas fans, we gazed up a rather tall gent wrapped in denim, boots and a ten gallon hat. Why, who could it be? Read more…

Monday night’s title tilt between Kansas & Memphis could be Bill Self’s swan song along the Jayhawks sidelines, if rumors keep persisting.

ESPN learns from the TULSA WORLD that Oklahoma State is willing to offer a huge sum to bring the KU coach back to his alma mater. The Cowboys have been coachless since running Sean Sutton out of town last week.

Although the rumors of Self-to-Stillwater started pretty much the minute Eddie’s son skedaddled away, the proposed amount of dollar bills to Bill wasn’t mentioned - until now.

Read more…

• DEADSPIN via WALKOFF WALK discovers that some Brewers fans are a whiz at making a profit from port-a-potty problems.

Such are the results when you imbibe in a 12-man beer bong.

• The HARTFORD COURANT pitches out the top 50 MLB salaries, and you’ll never guess which team claims the top 3 spots. (OK, you will.)

• Speaking of salaries, BLOOMBERG notes that if Kansas beats Memphis tonight, Jayhawks coach Bill Self will be $200,000 richer.

Read more…

Here is an exclusive sneak peek at the entirety of Bill Self’s pre-game speech to his Kansas Jayhawks before Sunday’s game against plucky Davidson in the Elite Eight:

“This guy! Him! Cover him. See how there’s no one else in frame on this picture? Bad! Cover him. Cover. Him. Don’t be fooled by ball fakes or cuts or even if your man has the ball. Everyone just surround this guy. This one! Here! It doesn’t matter if he changes his jersey number or puts on a fake mustache. Him! Do not leave him alone. Are we clear? Alright. Rock chalk COVER HIM.”

Unfortunately, Bo Self spaced on this part in his pre-game pep talk, allowing Wisconsin’s celebrated Pit of Despair Defense to be thwarted by the chocolate-covered miracle pill known as Stephen Curry in a 73-56 Davidson beatdown. Curry continued to stun opponents with 33 points in this contest. (By way of reference, Wisconsin held Michigan to 34 points on March 14th.)

Other games Friday:

Read more…