Villanova coach Jay Wright declined to comment on Temple’s imminent addition to the Big East, but says his school supports anything that’s “good for the conference.”
“We’re in support of any expansion that’s good for the conference, that’s all I can say right now,” Wright said Thursday. “Whatever direction the Big East does go by, I’d be glad to comment after they make the move but I don’t want to comment about any schools until it’s a done deal.”
Villanova had long been opposed to Temple joining the conference because both schools share the Philadelphia market, but the Big East desperately needs an eighth football team in 2012 to replace departing West Virginia.
Temple was booted from the conference for football in 2004, but now seems poised to join the league once again.
On the basketball side, Temple would become the league’s 16th basketball team next season.
When Memphis, Houston, SMU and UCF join for the 2013-14 basketball season, the league will have 18 basketball teams, assuming Syracuse and Pittsburgh are gone to the ACC by then.
“I hear all the urmors and everything that’s going on,” Wright said. “There’s a lot going on in the Big East. It’s exciting and I know we’re working closely with the Big East.”
Meantime, Josh Brown, a Temple-bound junior point guard at St. Anthony, the defending mythical national champion, told SNY.tv he’s looking forward to playing his college career in the Big East.
“It’s a great opportunity for the University and for myself,” Brown said by text. “I’m very excited to play in the Big East.”
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Wright said point guard Maalik Wayns was “hopeful” for Saturday’s game at Georgetown, while guard James Bell (ankle) was “doubtful.”
