Aktuelle News! » Cesc Fabregas twice as the visitors erased a two-goal

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. Asics Gel Kayano 23 Baratas . Hoffman, the former star closer, will evaluate and help co-ordinate all pitchers at Double-A, Triple-A and the big league team. Byrnes says Hoffman "will be a key part of finishing the development of our younger pitchers. Zapatillas Vans Baratas Online . The 55th-ranked Istomin saved 11 of 14 break points to win in just over two hours, setting up a second round meeting with Australian Marinko Matosevic. It was the Uzbeks third win in three matches against fifth-seeded Kohlschreiber, the 2007 and 2012 tournament winner. http://www.zapatillaairmaxbaratas.com/As...Baratas-Online/. Will Venable and Ryan Ludwick drove in a run each for the Padres, who have taken six of their last seven contests and clinched their third straight series win after winning the first two in this set. Clayton Richard (4-9) allowed five hits and a pair of runs over seven innings, while fanning five. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Baratas .S. womens soccer team to a 2-0 win over China in Colorado in the afternoon. Comprar Nike Air Huarache Baratas .Y. - Matt Harvey wants to make sure hes on the mound in late October — if the New York Mets get there for the first time since 2006.BARCELONA, Spain - Pedro Rodriguez filled in for Barcelonas missing star forwards by netting a hat trick in 10 minutes before setting up Cesc Fabregas twice as the visitors erased a two-goal deficit in a wild 5-2 win at Getafe on Sunday. Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. With Barcelonas strike-duo Lionel Messi and Neymar unavailable, Getafe surged forward from the start and stunned the visitors shaky defence with two goals in 15 minutes. But Pedro led the comeback by scoring in the 34th, 41st and 43rd minutes to swing the match in Barcelonas favour before halftime. Pedro crossed for Fabregas to score his first goal in the 68th before Pedro provoked a penalty in the 72nd that Fabregas converted to secure the result. In his fifth season with Barcelonas first team, the 26-year-old Pedro has settled for a role of reserve player with the occasional start. Despite his limited playing time, Pedros second treble of the season made him Barcelonas leading scorer in the league with 10 goals, tied for fourth best overall. "Im happy, confident and taking advantage of the opportunities my coach gives me," Pedro said. "The game was difficult. We didnt play well in the first few minutes, but we switched it on and pulled out the win." Also, Athletic Bilbao beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at San Mames to strengthen its hold on fourth place, while Espanyol routed Valladolid 4-2 for its first win at home in four rounds. Barcelona was without the injured Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Victor Valdes, while Neymar was suspended. But it was the first-choice defensive line that struggled early on, despite having Dani Alves back from a monthlong injury. The Brazilian back looked rusty, Javier Mascherano was often out of position, and Gerard Pique conceded two unnecessary corner kicks— the second of which led to Getafes second goal. After Pique had miissed a chance for Barcelona, left back Sergio Escudero worked a one-two with Angel Lafita to speed by Dani Alves and give Getafe the 10th-minute opener.dddddddddddd Centerback Lisandro Lopez was then completely unmarked to head in Pedro Leons corner, leaving Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino to scratch his head and pace the touchline. But Fabregas and Andres Iniesta took control of the ball and suddenly it was Getafes defence that sprang leaks, especially down the left flank occupied by Pedro. "The best part of the win was the teams attitude during the comeback," Pedro said. Pedro pulled the first one back when Fabregas threaded a ball through for the forward to fire a looping strike that goalkeeper Miguel Moya touched but couldnt stop from going into the net. Iniesta was next to find Pedro, who cut back to his right foot and unleashed an untouchable shot just inside the far post. Pedro was helped by Getafe on his third goal. A defender flubbed in his attempt to clear Jordi Albas low cross after Fabregas had played him wide, and instead laid the ball off for Pedro to pound it past Moya. Pedro turned playmaker after halftime. Fabregas volleyed in Pedros lobbed pass at the far post, and the former Arsenal captain scored from the spot after Pedro was brought down by Borja Fernandez in the area. Barcelona will face Getafe twice more in January in the Copa del Reys round of 16. At Mestalla Stadium, Angel Di Maria blasted Madrid in front in the 28th when he controlled Marcelos lobbed pass, dribbled between two defenders and drilled in a left-footed strike. Juan Bernat set up the equalizer for Valencia when he picked out Pablo Piatti with a cross to head in the 34th-minute equalizer. Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid back in front with a header in the 40th for his 18th league goal of the season. But Valencia toughened its defence after halftime and defender Jeremy Mathieu fended off Sergio Ramos to head in a corner in the 62nd for the 2-2. Jese went on in the 73rd and nine minutes later he capped Madrids buildup after Luka Modric spotted him on the right side by rifling a low shot between goalie Vicente Guaita and his near post. ' ' '