Big 12

The Charleston, W.Va., Daily Mail reported Thursday that West Virginia has reached a financial settlement with the Big East that clears the path for the Mountaineers to start Big 12 competition this fall.

The newspaper, citing a source, reported a $20 million price tag, with $11 million coming from the school and $9 million paid by Big 12 schools.

An official from a Big 12 school told The Star on Wednesday that he was unaware of any financial arrangements to assist West Virginia on behalf of the conference or schools.

Kansas recruit Perry Ellis was named a McDonald’s All-American and will be one of 24 high school seniors playing in the annual all-star basketball game March 28 at Chicago’s United Center.

The 6-8 Ellis averages 26.1 points and 9.7 rebounds for Wichita Heights. He's had one of the most successful careers in Kansas high school history as a three-time state Gatorade player of the year. Ellis has led his team to a 6A championship in each season.

Bill Self offered his most vigorous defense of guard Tyshawn Taylor, and addressed the future of the Border War after the Jayhawks’ 74-71 loss at Missouri on Saturday.

On Taylor:
“He’s damn good. He is damn good. He played so well the first half, and kept us in the game. In the second half, he didn’t make good decisions down the stretch. (But) I’ll put the ball in his hands every day.”

On the Border War and its future:

I received a few questions via twitter and e-mail yesterday from readers asking if there was any chance the Big 12 Conference will punish Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin for the critical comments he made of the officiating crew following a 72-70 loss at Iowa State on Tuesday.

The answer: Maybe.

DeMontie Cross is now on the other side of the Border War.

Cross, a former Missouri safety, will join Kansas' football staff as a linebackers coach, the school announced on Thursday.

Cross spent last season as special teams coordinator and safties coach at Wisconsin.

He had served as a defensive and special teams assistant for the Buffalo Bills from 2006-2010, outside linebackers and special teams coach at Iowa State from 2001-2005 and defensive backs coach at Sam Houston State in 2000.

Day after thoughts of Kansas’ 92-74 victory over Baylor on Monday

The game’s turning point came late in the first half. Baylor overcame an eight-point deficit and took a 27-22 lead. What happened over the next few minutes changed the game.

The Jayhawks started an inevitable flurry, with Tyshawn Taylor doing most of the damage. But a couple of Baylor baskets would have stemmed the tide. Instead, the Bears lost their offense purpose and started taking quick shots without ball movement. On KU’s 17-2 to end the half, Baylor missed eight of nine shots and turned it over three times.

Big 12 players who will participate in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala.

Baylor: Philip Blake, OL; Terrance Ganaway, RB; Kendall Wright, WR

Iowa State: Leonard Johnson, DB; Kelechi Osemele, OL

Missouri: Michael Egnew, TE

Oklahoma: Jamell Fleming, DB;

Oklahoma State: Levy Adcock, OL; Markelle Martin, DB; Brandon Weeden, QB

Texas: Emmanuel Acho, LB; Kheeston Randall, DL; Keenan Robinson, LB

Texas A&M: Randy Bullock, PK; Jeff Fuller, WR; Cyrus Gray, RB; Coryell Judie*, DB; Ryan Tannehill*, QB

*Injured, will not participate

Afterthoughts of Kansas’ 81-46 triumph at Texas Tech on Wednesday…

Odd game. Texas Tech jumped ahead 8-2 and was playing the type of game it needed to have chance. The Red Raiders milked the shot clock and got decent looks in the final seconds. But Billy Gillispie’s squad was unable to sustain the momentum for several reasons.

Clint Bowen is back on the Kansas football staff.

Bowen, the former Jayhawks defensive back and assistant coach, was one of two staff additions announced by Coach Charlie Weis on Wednesday.

Jeff Blasko had been Florida’s quality control coach for offense, working with Weis at Florida last season. When Weis got the Kansas job, Blasko was elevated to quarterbacks coach for the Gators’ Gator Bowl victory over Ohio State.

NEW ORLEANS _ Change may be coming to college football’s championship structure.

Eleven conference commissioners will meet here Tuesday, the day after LSU and Alabama tangle in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome, to open talks about the way the sport selects its champion.

Implement a plus-one, a four-team playoff where semifinal winners meet for a championship?

Have the BCS get out of the major bowl business and just select the finalist field, with a rating formula or selection committee?

Or no change at all.