Miami Expected to Join the Big East

The University of Miami, seeking basketball credibility to go with its football reputation, is considered likely to accept an invitation to join the Big East Conference. The school’s board of trustees will decide the matter today.

“I believe accepting an invitation to the Big East would be very much in order,” board member David Kraslow said. “I favor it very strongly for a whole variety of reasons.”

Joining the high-profile conference could mean the salvation of a basketball program that has averaged fewer than 3,000 fans a game since Miami resumed playing the sport in 1985 after a 15-year hiatus. Also, income from basketball, along with conference revenue sharing, would reduce financial pressure on the football program.