COLLEGE ATHLETICS Miami closer to ACC membership

The university planned a discussion today, while an ACC visit will be Friday.
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- The University of Miami is moving closer to a decision on joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The school's executive committee of the board of trustees was to meet today to discuss moving from the Big East to the ACC. The university also will host the first of three ACC site visits Friday, the next step in a likely relocation that could drastically change the landscape of college athletics.
Miami's executive committee will eventually vote on whether to join the ACC, but university officials don't expect it before the site visit.
Hurricanes football coach Larry Coker said Tuesday he expects a decision "sooner rather than later."
"I don't know the timeline, but I think it will be relatively soon if it does come down," Coker said.
Will tour facilities
Teams of ACC officials including an athletic director, faculty representative and conference office official will travel to Miami on Thursday and tour the school's facilities Friday, according to a university source.
They also are expected at Boston College and Syracuse early next week.
ACC presidents voted May 16 to discuss expansion with those schools, making plans to grow from nine to 12 members. No formal invitations have been offered, and site visits are required by ACC bylaws.
Miami is reviewing the financial implications of the move and negotiating details that include divisional alignment and implementation date.
Divisional preference
Coker said he would rather be in an opposite division than Florida State -- contradicting reports that Miami wants to be in the same division as the Seminoles.
If the Hurricanes and Seminoles are in opposite divisions, they could continue their annual rivalry, but the loser would still be able to win its division, advance to the conference championship game and have a shot at earning an automatic berth in the Bowl Championship Series.