UConn and Syracuse tie in Big East voting

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The basketball coaches of all 16 Big East schools were in one building, ready to talk about their teams and the prospects of a season that starts in just about three weeks.

However, this media day was different. A lot of the talk on Wednesday was about conference expansion, a significant topic since Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced they’re leaving to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“Without the Big East, I would never had a chance to win three national championships,” said Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun, whose team was picked as co-favorites with Syracuse in the coaches’ preseason poll. “If we were to stay in the Big East, it would be a great thing and that’s what I would like. But if we aren’t able to, I’m sure our leadership will find a suitable location for us.”

There has been plenty of talk — some by the governor of the state — that UConn would be interested in also going to the ACC, but it has said they are set with 14 members right now.