1.   Anything less than a conference championship and postseason berth would be a disappointment.

2.   Before the Mets moved into position for their first postseason berth of the darkening decade, Valentine was a beleaguered manager looking to make some kind of statement.

3.   A decision to self-penalize the football program in light of NCAA allegations cost Texas Tech a postseason berth three weeks ago.

4.   A Sonic victory combined with a Dallas loss will ensure the postseason berth.

5.   According to athletic director Bill Hogan, the immediate goal is finishing first or second regularly in the WCC and earning the postseason berth that would go with it.

6.   But can the Sonics realistically earn a postseason berth?

7.   But even that might not be enough for a postseason berth.

8.   Coach Jay Hoffman is not convinced, however, that his team has no hope for one of the four postseason berths.

9.   He insists the Cubs will contend for a postseason berth again this year.

10.   If the team is still a legitimate contender for a postseason berth, he will try to postpone the surgery until after the season.