Which conference is stronger at women`s basketball: the Big 12 or the Big Ten?

That question will be answered on the hardwood starting next year.

The two conferences announced a new event being called the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge that will begin in 2010 when the Big 10 hosts seven games. In 2011, the Big 12 will host the majority of games.

As part of the event, Colorado will host Illinois next December, then will travel to Champaign, Ill., in 2011. The two teams have a connection in Buffs` coach Kathy McConnell-Miller who was an assistant at Illinois from 1995-99.

Higgins, Thorne named CU men`s captains

Colorado men`s basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik announced that Dwight Thorne and Cory Higgins will remain as captains for 2009-10 season.

Both players held the same honor last year.

Besides leading the team as captains, both led the Buffs in scoring last year. Higgins had a team-best 17.4 points per game, while Thorne, the lone senior on the team, had 12 points per game last season.