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STORRS, Conn. -- UConns new athletic director says hes waiting to hear from the Big 12 about its interest level in the school before reaching out with an official pitch to join the conference.The Big 12s school presidents on Tuesday moved closer to expansion, directing Commissioner Bob Bowlsby to begin evaluating schools interested in joining.UConns David Benedict, in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday, acknowledged the Huskies are interested in being evaluated.At this point in time the Power Five conferences certainly are looked to as the most competitive conferences, he said. They derive the most money from their multi-media agreements, their television agreements. And therefore, certainly we aspire to be in those conferences and compete at that level.UConn currently competes in most sports in the American Athletic Conference.Benedict was hired in March to succeed Warde Manuel after he left for Michigan. Benedict said of all possible candidates, UConn is the most similar to the Power Five schools, with $71 million athletic budget.He noted it was one of three division one schools this past year to send its football, baseball and mens and womens basketball teams to the postseason. And since 1995, UConn has won 11 womens national basketball championships, four mens basketball titles, two in field hockey and one in mens soccer. The schools football program also has been to six bowl games.But Benedict said he has no plans to pick up the phone and call Bowlsby or head to Texas with a PowerPoint presentation.He said its his understanding that the Big 12 will reach out to those it knows have an interest.I dont think circumventing that process is the way to go, he said. But I dont think there is a question as to whether or not the Big 12 is aware that we would have an interest if they are interested in us.Benedict said if the school does join the Big 12, he believes it would eventually need to expand its 40,000-seat football stadium in East Hartford. But he said they cant do that until Husky fans consistently sell out the building.He said the school is currently concentrating its efforts on raising private donations to upgrade its baseball, softball, soccer and hockey facilities. There is still no timetable for construction, but Benedict said the school has about $14 million committed to the project, with a goal of raising another $11 million.Thats a priority for us, because it also sends out the message that we are going to invest in facilities that are up to (Power Five) standard, he saidBenedict said an intact American Conference is still a viable alternative should the Huskies be passed over by the Power Five. But he said the idea that UConn would consider rejoining the Big East for sports other than football is not currently on the table.Everybody is jockeying for position, he said. Part of my role and responsibility is making sure were looking at all options, keeping all options open to make sure we put ourselves as a university and an athletics program in the best possible position to compete. TreQuan Smith Womens Jersey . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Erik McCoy Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Wil-Lutz-Saints-Jersey/ . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Erik McCoy Saints Jersey . 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BOULDER, Colo. -- With the clock winding down and visiting Colorado State comfortably in front of Colorado, the Rams Devocio Butler glanced up at the stands and noticed the Buffaloes fans quietly streaming out of the arena.Thats the best feeling, especially here at CU, Butler said.Emmanuel Omogbo scored 15 points, Nico Carvacho had 14 points, and Colorado State beat Colorado 72-58 on Wednesday night to win their fourth straight game.Butler added 13 points for Colorado State (6-1), which picked up its first road win of the season while handing its heavily favored intrastate rival its first home loss of the year.Every time everyone thought they were going to go by us, they werent (because) we had a base to stop them, Colorado State coach Larry Eustachy said. We base it off our defending, and we held them to 23 percent in the second half. Its the best young defensive team Ive ever had.Derrick White scored 17 points to lead Colorado (5-2), which shot 32.2 percent from the field. The Buffaloes made only three of 19 3-pointers while the Rams were 6 of 15 from beyond the arc.Senior forward Wesley Gordon, who chipped in 11 points for Colorado, suggested the Buffaloes may have taken the Rams lightly.I think we underestimated guys and they came out and handed it to us, Gordon said. We lost to a team that we should have beat. If we dont come out to play, thats whats going to happen every game.Colorado was held to a season-low in points, well off their 78.7 scoring average coming into the game.They came in here and were tougher than us and outplayed us, Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. They deserved the win and we didnt.Building on a three-point halftime lead, the Rams got 3-pointers from Omogbo and Carvacho to help them pull out to a 40-31 lead.Colorado managed to narrow the gap but Coloorado State kept hitting their free throws, including a pair by Che Bob with 4:35 left that gave the Rams a 56-49 lead.ddddddddddddMoments later, J.D. Paige connected on a 3-pointer as part of a 7-0 spurt that pushed Colorado States lead to 63-51 with 2:22 remaining and the Buffaloes did not threaten after that.The Rams led 30-27 at halftime, using an 11-2 burst late in the period to surge in front after trailing for most of the opening half. Omogbo fueled the surge, hitting a pair of free throws and making a dunk and a 3-pointer.BIG PICTUREColorado State: The Rams, who lost four of five starters from last seasons team, got a confidence-boosting victory with a rare win over Colorado at the Coors Events Center. It was the 126th meeting between the schools and Colorado holds an 89-37 edge in the series. It was Colorado States ninth win at Colorado in 62 games in Boulder.Colorado: It was a tough outing for the Buffaloes, who never seemed to find their offensive rhythm. It remains to be seen whether it was an aberration after a solid start to the season.TURNING POINTAfter the Buffaloes pulled to within six points with just under four minutes left, the Rams answered with a 3-pointer by J.D. Paige to start a 7-0 burst that effectively put the game out of reach for Colorado. That was the nail, Eustachy said of Paiges 3-pointer. I think the guys were feeling really good then.UP NEXTColorado State: Comes off the road to begin a three-game home stand on Saturday against Wichita State.Colorado: Will try to rebound on the road, traveling to Portland University for a Saturday night game against the Pilots, who are coming off a win against Cal State Northridge. ' ' '