Sports Shorts
Published May 1, 2007
Big 12 announces television deal
The Big 12 and ESPN announced last weekend an extension of their television partnership through the end of the 2016 school year. ABC will broadcast 19 conference games a year, including the Big 12 Championship, which will be played this year in San Antonio. Beginning in 2008, the ESPN family of networks will run 95 men's basketball games, including the Big 12 Tournament. The Big 12 will be a part of ESPN's Big Monday each week. The deal also extends ESPN Plus' syndication of conference games.
Tiger in the NFL Draft
Defensive end Brian Smith was the only Tiger taken in the NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him 113th overall in the fourth round. Smith's selection marks the second-consecutive year that the first Tiger chosen in the draft was selected in the fourth round. Last season, the New York Jets used their fourth-round pick on quarterback Brad Smith, who was then converted to wide receiver. Like Brad Smith, Brian Smith is projected to switch positions in the NFL, as the Jaguars chose him as a linebacker for their scheme. The MU all-time sack leader will likely be used similarly to Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens. Suggs was converted to a pass-rushing linebacker after recording 22 sacks in one year as a defensive end at Arizona State.
Women's golf makes
NCAA Regional
The MU women's golf team reached the NCAA Regionals for the fifth-straight year and the ninth time in 10 seasons. The team will begin play May 10 in the Central Regional in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"This is a great experience for our young team, and we really want to be in this position every year, working our way back to the national championships," coach Stephanie Priesmeyer said.
The Tigers are one of five Big 12 teams to advance to regionals and join Baylor, Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Texas A&M in the postseason. MU is the 14th seed in the 21-team region, which Georgia headlines. Baylor will compete in the same region as the Tigers and is the eighth seed. Texas A&M heads to the East Regional, and Nebraska and Oklahoma State will both compete in the West Regional.
Eight teams and two individuals on non-qualifying teams will advance out of each of the three regionals to the national championships to be held in Daytona Beach, Fla.