12.27.2011 DBR : Bowling and Basketball

Good afternoon, let's get on to the links! First up, football...

• 2012 NFL draft - Big Board changes minus Matt Barkley - ESPN
  The Big Board has a new quarterback hierarchy minus Matt Barkley...RGIII is at #6, up from #11.

• 2012 NFL draft - The Philadelphia Eagles could find plenty of help early or late - ESPN
  They think they have a chance at Kendall Wright in the early/mid second round of the draft. I'm starting to wonder if they wouldn't have to trade up to at least the top of the second for this to happen. We'll see...how Notre Dame's Michael Floyd gets evaluated will likely play a huge role here.

• Robert Griffin III of Baylor Bears confirms occasional security use - ESPN
  Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is getting help in dealing with his new fame.

• RG3 taking new measures in stardom - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN
  Robert Griffin III won the Heisman earlier this month and is already dealing with some new responsibilities.

• Big 12 teams showing their off-field value - Dallas Colleges Blog - ESPN Dallas
  "Forbes magazine put together a list of the top 20 most valuable college football programs, and the team at the top is no surprise." While the team at the top isn't a surprise, it still flabbers my gast at how much higher they are than #2 Notre Dame.

And now, onto Baylor Men's Basketball, who have eased my earlier concerns about only having one quality win with wins over 5 potential Tourney Teams. The Big12 looks to be significantly down this year (thanks to Texas A&M and Kansas), so having a strong non-conference profile will be more important than in past years. Still, Mizzou looking so strong and Kansas State gaining steam will help quite a bit.

• Heslip Named Big 12 Rookie of the Week - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
  Baylor men's basketball sophomore Brady Heslip was named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for Dec.19-25. I'm not sure how far Baylor will get if it needs to rely on Heslip as much as it has recently, but there is no doubt that his skill set is a fantastic match for this team. Heady player, he helps balance out the often helter-skelter style of Pierre Jackson and AJ Walton.
• Baylor remains sixth in AP top 25 men's basketball poll | Baylor Bears News - Sports News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW

• Conference Power Rankings: Big 12 - Dallas Colleges Blog - ESPN Dallas
  Baylor: The Bears are one of the country's six remaining undefeated teams. At 12-0, they've matched their best start in school history.

• Bears and Bulldogs: A Ranked Showcase in Dallas - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
  No. 6/7 Baylor vies for the best start in program history Wednesday when it faces No. 15/14 Mississippi State (12-1) at American Airlines Center for The Showcase, presented by metroPCS.