Brewers: : Milwaukee is working on a deal to sign right-hander Braden Looper, and general manager Doug Melvin said he was "optimistic" about bringing him onto the staff. Looper, 34, has a career record of 58-58 with a 3.93 ERA.
Dodgers: : Right-hander Jeff Weaver, who won the clinching game of the 2006 World Series for the Cardinals, agreed to a minor league deal after taking last season off.
Giants: : Veteran infielder Rich Aurilia agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Elsewhere: : The Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League have signed former major league infielder Edgardo Alfonzo, 35, to a one-year contract worth $380,000.
UConn provides stability in men's poll at No. 1
col. basketball
Connecticut held the top spot in the Associated Press men's poll for a second straight week after a run in which a different team was on top for four straight weeks. The Huskies (22-1) beat Louisville and Michigan last week to again be a runaway No. 1, receiving 67 of 72 first-place votes from a national media panel. Oklahoma (23-1) and North Carolina (21-2) held the second and third spots, with the Sooners getting three first-place votes, while the Tar Heels were No. 1 on two ballots. Duke dropped from fourth to sixth. Wake Forest held at No. 7. Florida State (18-5) moved in for the first time in 11 years, at No. 25, off the big win at Clemson, a game it trailed in by 19 points.
AP women's poll:: Tennessee fell three spots to No. 15 in the latest rankings after losing twice last week - to Oklahoma and Florida - and beating Georgia for coach Pat Summitt's 1,000th victory, dropping the Lady Vols to their lowest ranking in 23 years. The last time Tennessee was ranked so low was the final ballot of the 1985-86 season. Connecticut (23-0) remained the unanimous No. 1 choice for an 11th straight week. Maryland (19-4) jumped two spots, from No. 13 to No. 11. Polls, 5D
Duke: : Coach Mike Krzyzewski said senior point guard Greg Paulus would retain his starting job for tomorrow's game against North Carolina. Sophomore Nolan Smith hasn't started since last week's 27-point loss at Clemson.
Utah Senate urges Obama to abandon BCS
col. football
Utah's state legislature is calling for a playoff system to determine the national champion. With University of Utah players on hand, the state Senate adopted a resolution it wants sent to President Barack Obama urging the NCAA to abandon the Bowl Championship Series in favor of a playoff system. Utah finished its perfect season with a No. 2 ranking in the final AP poll.
