ed on Anthony were because of bad language. He said the initial common foul that was called on him was because Anthony dove on top of Amir Johnson.Yo

Earlier this month, the Big 12 publicized its pursuit of potential new members after months of speculation about expansion. Those contenders have been measured by their football prowess. We understand. Thats the driving force in collegiate athletics.But wed like Bob Bowlsby, the Big 12s commissioner, to consider the hardwood implications of any expansion-related decisions. Were here to help. If basketball were the only part of the equation, here are the best options to increase the leagues on-court swagger (in reverse order):10. Boise State BroncosCoach Leon Rice inherited a Boise State program that finished below .500 in five of the nine seasons before he was hired prior to the 2010-11 season. Boise State has won 20 or more games in each of the past four seasons under Rice. The Broncos captured the 2014-15 Mountain West conference crown, and they reached the NCAA tournament twice (2013, 2015) in recent years. Last years squad failed to hit its ceiling. But Boise State continues to assemble the personnel to compete on the national stage.9. New Mexico LobosThe Big 12s best venues possess unique personalities that have helped the league send 70 percent of its membership to the two most recent NCAA tournaments. Its difficult to grab a home win at Kansas, Iowa State or Oklahoma State. New Mexicos rowdy, sunken home atmosphere, the Pit, fits with those intimidating Big 12 home venues. The Lobos finished in the top 25 in attendance last season. They havent reached the NCAA tournament since 2014, but their loyal supporters remain.8. SMU MustangsWe know. Weird stuff has been happening at SMU. The Emanuel Mudiay situation. Last years NCAA issues and the postseason ban. Larry Browns offseason departure. But the Big 12 should consider SMU, and not just because its a growing program based in Americas ninth-largest city. The Dallas-based program also makes sense because the Mustangs have turned Moody Coliseum into one of the games most underrated venues. Their fans nearly filled the arena (capacity 7,000) every night (6,907 average attendance) last year. You can build on that support.7. San Diego State AztecsWell talk basketball later. Do you know how many Big 12 schools would fly to San Diego early to prep for SDSU? All of them. Yes, the beach is nice. And thats included in this evaluation. Last season, the program nearly averaged a sellout (12,209) all season. Its student section, The Show, is one of college basketballs most vibrant groups. They turn Viejas Arena into a party every night for an SDSU program that has become a national player under coach Steve Fisher. The school has won five of the past six Mountain West championships. And did we mention the beach?6. UNLV RebelsYes, Marvin Menzies is the programs fourth basketball coach since January. Its a long story. But the Runnin Rebels boast a legacy and location that position Menzies to hit the reboot button in the coming years and help UNLV regain its national standing. The school might never experience the Larry Johnson Era again, but it can rise and become a perennial NCAA tournament team.5. Temple OwlsIf you want to add more grit to the talented Big 12 basketball scene, throw Temple into the mix. Temple also brings continuity. The program has had just five coaches since 1942. Fran Dunphy has been with the program since John Chaney retired in 2006. Plus, the Owls would enhance the talent pool in the Big 12. Theyve reached the NCAA tournament in seven of the past nine years.4. BYU CougarsThe Cougars could pursue their initial, prospective admission to the Big 12 as a football-only transition. The goal, per BYU brass, would be full membership if the Big 12 welcomed the program to the league. The Cougars would not hurt the conferences basketball stock, either. Theyve won 25 or more games in eight of the past 10 seasons. The outliers were 24- and 23-win campaigns in 2013 and 2014, respectively. BYU has missed the NCAA tournament only twice since 2007.3. Cincinnati BearcatsCincinnati hasnt missed the NCAA tournament since 2010. Coach Mick Cronin has rebuilt the program in the post-Bob Huggins years with a tenacious defensive style that keeps the Bearcats alive, regardless of the opponent. Theyre always in the mix. They always have a chance. The Big 12 wants to add a successful program to its fold. Well, Cincy has failed to finish a season in KenPom.coms top 50 just four times since 2002. Theyve missed the top 100 only once in that stretch. The Bearcats are solid and consistent.2. Memphis TigersThe rich history of the program that Larry Finch built and Penny Hardaway, Lorenzen Wright and Derrick Rose blessed with their talents would enhance the Big 12s dominance on the national scene. Memphis expects the best from its Tigers. Struggles in the post-John Calipari years included four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2011 through 2014. The school boasts great facilities and boosters, and the passion in the Memphis community for college hoops rivals that of any fan base in the country.1. Connecticut HuskiesName the only program with four national championships since 1999. Its not Duke (three national championships in that stretch) or North Carolina (two). The answer is Connecticut. The Huskies won in 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014. Due to academic issues, they were banned from the postseason in 2012-13. But UConn is a modern powerhouse with 10 Elite Eight appearances since 1990. If the Big 12 decides to make a basketball-only decision, UConn should be its first choice. Vapormax Plus Reverse Sunset . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Vapormax Plus Be True . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. http://www.scarpevapormaxscontate.it/vapormax-2019-italia/vapormax-2019-donna-saldi.html . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Vapormax Plus Grigie . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. Vapormax Off White Italia . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. BOSTON -- Isaiah Thomas didnt hold his tongue earlier this week in describing what he said was a Celtics team he thought was void of its all-around toughness from years past.He thinks they took steps toward finding it on Friday night.Thomas scored 23 of his 29 points in the first half, and Boston snapped a three-game losing streak with a 115-87 victory over the New York Knicks.We played hard. And when you play hard you give yourself a chance, Thomas said. Weve got to figure out how to continue to do this and then get our swag back a little bit.Kelly Olynyk added 19 points and seven rebounds.The Knicks have still yet to post consecutive victories this season, and played without Carmelo Anthony in the second half after he was ejected after picking up back-to-back technical fouls.Anthony was tossed with 4:44 left in the second quarter by referee Tony Brothers. He received the first technical when he said something to Brothers following a loose ball foul call. Brothers walked away, but Anthony trailed behind and kept talking. He was then hit with the second technical. Anthony finished with 12 points and two rebounds.I was surprised, guard Derrick Rose said. He was still talking quietly. I didnt get it. They have a history, I guess.Brandon Jennings was also ejected late in the fourth quarter after receiving consecutive technical fouls.Without Anthony, the Knicks had a difficult time finding an offensive flow.New York never led in the game, and trailed by as many 30 points in the fourth quarter. The Knicks have now given up 100 or more points in seven of their eight games.The Celtics entered Friday looking for a faster start after struggling to score points in the first quarter during their three-game skid.Brad Stevens made changes to his starting lineup in hopes of injecting some energy, going with Olynyk and Marcus Smart in place of Jaylen Brown and Tyler Zeller.The moves paid off.Coming off an eight-point first quarter in their loss to Washington on Wednesday, Boston scored 31 in the opening 12 mminutes.dddddddddddd Smart had eight points in the period, and Olynyk added five points and two assists.Stevens liked the progress, but said there is still work to do -- particularly on the glass, where his team was outrebounded 57-53.Im just saying we have to get better, he said. I know you dont re-find something and then its there to stay...we need to defend with the same intensity at all times like we did tonight.TIP-INSKnicks: Were called for a total of six technicals in the game. .. Committed 25 turnovers, leading to 27 Boston points. ... Prior to his ejection, Anthony was New Yorks most efficient player in the first half, shooting 5 of 8 from the field.Celtics: Al Horford (concussion protocol) sat for the fifth straight game. Jae Crowder missed his fourth straight game with a sprained left ankle. ... Boston had 13 assists on 17 made field goals in the first half.TALKING TECHSIn a pool report after the game Brothers said that both technical fouls issued on Anthony were because of bad language. He said the initial common foul that was called on him was because Anthony dove on top of Amir Johnson.You cant dive on top of a player to go after a ball, Brothers said. Thats a foul.He said there is no history between him and Anthony.INJURY UPDATEHorford said he will accompany the Celtics on their two game road trip, and is hopeful that he could see action.He worked out prior to Fridays game said it included most positive signs hes had since entering the concussion protocol on Nov. 1.I feel good, Horford said. Im very encouraged by the progress that weve made. So Im excited. Were working on being back as soon as possible.UP NEXTKnicks: Finish up their short two-game road trip at Toronto on Saturday.Celtics: Head out on the road for two games, playing at Indiana on Saturday and New Orleans on Sunday.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower ' ' '