Tulsa World: Big 12: Conference buzz

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Big 12: Conference buzz

Kansas head coach Mark Mangino says he's had virtually no contact with KU athletic director Lew Perkins in the past week amid reports the coach is under investigation for verbally abusing his players. Erich Schlegel / AP

By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 11/24/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/24/2009 11:22 AM

Mangino focused: There has been a lot of speculation swirling around the future of Kansas coach Mark Mangino.

Still, he believes the Jayhawks will be able to focus on the rivalry game with Missouri this week.

"If someone is going to have an investigation, that's fine," said Mangino. "You just don't want something leaked out before something is done.

"You keep coaching the kids. You keep doing what you like to do. You keep focusing on winning games."

Mangino believes all he can do is work toward Missouri.

"My focus is get the players in a position to win a game," said Mangino. "It hasn't played out yet. It's not over. You can only focus on things you can control in life.

"Coaching the players. Having our meetings. Giving the kids a chance to win the game. Let's take care of the things we have control over."

Reports indicate Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins is investigating the matter.

Yet, Mangino said he has had virtually no contact with Perkins in the past week.

"Practically none," said Mangino. "Just a social call from the AD last week for a few moments."

The Jayhawks were routed by Texas last week but were competitive with the Longhorns for a portion of the game.

"Our kids have been focused," said Mangino. "You could see Texas is the better team but our kids scrapped the whole game."

Bob and Mark: OU coach Bob Stoops has a long relationship with Kansas coach Mark Mangino dating back to when both were assistants at Kansas State.

Mangino later came to OU as an assistant with Stoops.

"The whole time I've been around him the players appreciated him and he was very appropriate," said Stoops.

Stoops knows times change and how coaches deal with players changes.

"No question kids are always changing and it is different," said Stoops. "You just do your best to communicate with them."

No OU defensive drop: Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said he didn't notice any drop in the OU defense that got ravaged by his Red Raiders last week.

He still believes the Sooners are very good on defense.

"There are a whole lot of draft picks over there," said Leach. "I'm really proud of the way we played."

The Raiders may have played their best game of the season against OU.

"We put together a pretty complete game," said Leach. "Now, we need to do it again (this week against Baylor).

"I thought he (quarterback Taylor Potts) played well. The quarterback's job is to run the unit. He did a great job of running our unit."

Game in Arlington: Texas Tech and Oklahoma State never could work out a deal to play their game at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

So, the Red Raiders arranged to play Baylor there this week.

"To be honest, I think we're more excited to play the game than seeing the stadium," said Leach.

This game was originally scheduled to be hosted by the Bears in Waco.

"It is a good thing this year because we don't have to play in Waco," said Leach. "It is not such a good thing next year when the game would have been at our place."

Colorado keeps playing: Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said the Buffaloes have not given up on the rest of the season.

Colorado plays Nebraska this week and gets a chance to nab one last victory for a season that went downward from the start.

However, the Buffs gave Hawkins reason to believe the Huskers may be in for a fight.

He liked what he saw in the 31-28 loss to Oklahoma State.

Colorado led by 11 in the second half of that game.

"The thing that has impressed me is that they continue to battle," said Hawkins. "The definitely showed up last Thursday night.

"They just didn't lay down. I know they'll put their best foot forward for every game." By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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