al 8:24 of the first half. Indiana shot 60 percent from the field (21 of 35) in the fi

A combined Brisbane Strikers-Ipswich bid is firming as a leading contender for A-League expansion but hopes of a new stadium depend on securing state and federal government support.Its understood Miron Bleiberg, the former A-League coach who is one of the key figures involved with the Strikers bid, met with Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale on Monday to discuss the possibility of forming an alliance.While the Strikers have not yet abandoned the idea of going it alone, a joint effort would significantly boost the bids financial and political standing and become an attractive option in the eyes of Football Federation Australia.Specific criteria for expansion will be released early next year, but FFA has made no secret of its desire for more teams in major cities, and the new vision for the Strikers is to pitch to Brisbanes sprawling western suburbs, including Ipswich, Toowoomba and Logan - all up, a catchment area of around 500,000 people and growing.Its envisaged the Strikers brand would be retained, but the name of the team could change to include a reference to Brisbanes so-called western corridor, where some of the investors associated with the bid have business interests.However, a new team would have to share Suncorp Stadium with Brisbane Roar until funding can be arranged for a boutique stadium to be built as desired, most likely in Springfield.With the state and federal governments having recently tipped in a total of $240 million for a new stadium in Townsville, its unclear whether that would be immediately forthcoming.Were going to have to do some work out here, we need state and federal government support, Pisasale told AAP.But theyve got to start realising growth means we need sporting facilities.These stadiums are not just for the A-League teams, they get used by all the other juniors.Ipswich is growing at an enormous rate and whats missing is the infrastructure to go with it.The alliance is unlikely to include support from Logan City Council, who are already committed to building a $9 million home base for Brisbane Roar at Heritage Park.Pisasale said he was sure other investors and sponsors would throw their hat in the ring if they could be shown proof of return on investment by FFA.Pisasale has a long-standing relationship with FFA chief executive David Gallop, who in his previous capacity with the NRL toured Ipswich in 2009 when rugby league was considering expansion.Gallop said it was the ideal area for a new team and even used a similar analogy - that the NRL had to go where the fish are biting - to the one that has become the catch-phrase of the A-League expansion debate.Pisasale described the NRL as hopeless and said they had dropped the baton by not expanding into Ipswich.Cheap Sneakers China . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Adidas Ultra Boost Wholesale . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. http://www.sneakersonsalecheap.com/ . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Cheap Nike Epic React Flyknit . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Nike Shox Cheap China . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15.BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- James Blackmon Jr. made five 3-pointers, scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Robert Johnson added 16 points, as No. 6 Indiana sailed to a 100-78 victory over UMass Lowell on Wednesday night.Blackmon made four 3-pointers and scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half of Indianas regular season home opener.The Hoosiers (2-0) were playing their first game since beating No. 3 Kansas in the Armed Forces Classic and had to overcome a slow, sloppy start. Indiana outscored UMass Lowell (1-2) 32-15 over the final 8:24 of the first half. Indiana shot 60 percent from the field (21 of 35) in the first half. The Hoosiers found scoring opportunities with sound passing, scoring 23 of their field goals off an assist.Big men OG Anunoby and Thomas Bryant contributed to Indianas onslaught. Anunoby scored 15 points and Bryant added nine. The Hoosiers outrebbounded UMass Lowell 46-24.ddddddddddddThe 19 offensive rebounds helped the Hoosiers score 15 second-chance points.Jahad Thomas finished with 16 points and Tyler Livingston scored 14 for the River Hawks.BIG PICTURE: Indiana will have three more games to build on the big win over Kansas. The Hoosiers next three games are against mid-majors before they host North Carolina on Nov. 30. The Hoosiers other notable non-conference game comes on Dec. 17 when they face Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse before kicking off Big Ten Conference play against Nebraska on Dec. 28. Indianas final non-conference game is a showdown with No. 12 Louisville at Bankers Life on New Years Eve.UP NEXT:Indiana hosts Liberty UniversityUMass Lowell travels to Indiana-Fort Wayne ' ' '