jumper that had eluded him for most of the night. Walker was 5 of 9 fro

An email Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby sent late last month to the president of the University of Houston says the conference has finalized our procedures for consideration of potential new members.The email was first reported by ESPN on Thursday and later obtained by The Associated Press.The Big 12 announced July 19 that its presidents had authorized Bowlsby to begin evaluating schools for possible expansion of the 10-team conference by two or four members. The conference has not commented publicly on its plans nor has it committed to adding schools.In an email dated July 26 from Bowlsby to University of Houston President Renu Khator, the commissioner wrote: We have finalized our procedures for consideration of potential Big 12 Conference members and, pursuant to your email of last week, I am writing to inform you of the process.Bowlsby asked in the email that Khator provide a very brief communication indicating your interest in being considered. Bowlby writes that it is not necessary to send supporting information or materials and to send the letter to his attention care of Kansas City, Missouri, based attorney Kevin Sweeney of Polsinelli.Mr. Sweeney will follow up with your GC to provide instructions and to coordinate future steps, Bowlsby writes. Thanks for your interest in the Big 12 Conference.That there has been communication between the Big 12 and Houston is not surprising. The school is a member of the American Athletic Conference, but has made it clear it aspires to be in a Power Five conference. Since the Big 12 revealed that it is looking into expansion, the University of Texas and Texas Tech have public supported considering Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott went even further, saying Big 12 expansion must include Houston.Among the other schools that have been maneuvering to be considered by the Big 12 are BYU, Cincinnati, Central Florida, Memphis, Connecticut, East Carolina, Boise State and Colorado State.Bowlsby has put no timetable on the Big 12s decision, though he has said the conference would like to move quickly and not interfere with the football season. The presidents meet again in early October.Iowa State President Steven Leath told the Iowa State Daily student newspaper on Wednesday that he expects the Big 12 to expand.Were spending a lot of time and money to that end, so I suspect thats where were going to end up, Leath told the newspaper. Leath added that he expected the process to play out between now and Christmas.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP C.J. McCollum Jersey .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Custom Portland Trail Blazers Jerseys . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. https://www.blazerslockerroom.com/Nik-Stauskas-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Skal Labissiere Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Jusuf Nurkic Blazers Jersey . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- On a rough shooting night for just about everyone, Kemba Walker got hot just long enough for the Charlotte Hornets.Walker scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Nic Batum posted his third straight double-double and the Hornets beat the Detroit Pistons 87-77 on Wednesday despite shooting just 34 percent from the field.The shots just werent falling (for) both teams, Walker said. Both teams played hard. Defensively I thought both teams were great, but down the stretch we were able to make some big plays and get a huge burst in the fourth quarter.Batum had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who won for the third time in four games despite being held to 38 points in the first half on 27 percent shooting.Charlotte also got three key baskets in the fourth from reserve Marco Belinelli, who finished with 13 points.Marco was instrumental in getting our offense going in the third with a couple of catch-and-shoot buckets, coach Steve Clifford said.Andre Drummond had a season-high 26 points and 20 rebounds for the Pistons (12-12), who were coming off a 102-91 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday night. It was his 11th 20-20 game since 2012-13, tops in the NBA during that stretch.Detroit shot 38 percent from the field. It also went 5 for 8 from the free-throw line, compared to 21 for 29 for Charlotte.You cant have a 20 free throw differential and expect to win no matter how hard youre fighting, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said.Marvin Williams returned to Charlottes starting lineup after missing the last six games with a hyperextended knee and finished with 12 points and five rebounds. He also provided a needed physicality on defense.Williams said afterward he felt great.I was a little worried about my conditioning, Willliams said.dddddddddddd Sometimes, with lower-body injuries, you cant stay in shape like you want to. I just wanted to come out and be aggressive, not offensively but defensively.The Hornets (13-9) pulled away when Walker began to heat up in the fourth quarter, finding lanes to drive to the basket and rediscovering the touch on his jumper that had eluded him for most of the night. Walker was 5 of 9 from the field in the fourth after going 4 of 13 in the first three quarters.The Hornets trailed 39-38 at halftime. It was only the fourth time this NBA season both teams scored fewer than 40 in the first half.TIP-INSPistons: Made just 4 of 27 3-point shots. ... Had 13 turnovers.Hornets: Walker has scored in double digits in all 22 games this season. ... Walker has multiple steals in 11 games this season.DRUMMONDs BIG NIGHTDrummond went 11 for 14 from the field and 4 for 7 from the line. He was looking for a measure of revenge against the Hornets after being ejected in the second quarter against Charlotte last week for a flagrant-2 foul when officials ruled he deliberately elbowed Roy Hibbert in the head.JACKSONS LEGSPistons guard Reggie Jackson couldnt quite get to the basket on the second night of a back-to-back and settled for more jump shots than normal. He has been battling back from tendinitis in his left knee.I find myself not being as fresh as I normally feel, Jackson said. Im sure I will get back to who I am and doing the things that I do.UP NEXTPistons: Travel to Minnesota on Friday night to play the Timberwolves, who are just 3-7 at home.Hornets: Are back at home Friday night when they host the Orlando Magic. ' ' '