NEW YORK — There was plenty to talk about during Big East basketball media day this year. While there was a lot of chatter about conference realignment, there were a few other tidbits that floated around, as well.
Notre Dame guard Tim Abromaitis talking about playing in China over the summer with Pittsburgh guard Ashton Gibbs:
“I was his wing man for two weeks, and he got rejected from girls from pretty much every country.”
Syracuse forward Kris Joseph, talking about one of the biggest improvements in Dion Waiters this year:
“Dion changed his whole diet. […] He’s eating better and eating more healthy and not eating past a certain time. That helped him, and I think he sees the results and he’s going to keep that going for the whole season.”
Syracuse guard Scoop Jardine on what he would say to himself if he traveled back in time to talk to himself as a freshman:
“You are really immature. When you’re a freshman, you have to go through a lot of things, fall on your face a little bit, but it made me who I am today. I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.”
Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, when asked about how finances have played a role in conference realignment:
“It’s no different than Merrill Lynch acquiring another company, because that’s what this has become. It’s a very corporate thing today. It bothers me as a fan of Syracuse and Pittsburgh that they’re leaving.”
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey, describing the best scenario for everyone involved in Big East basketball:
“I’ll tell you one thing, TCU changed their mind. Syracuse and Pittsburgh, they can come back. Why don’t they come back? Rethink it and come back. We’ll give you six football games. We’ll work something out. You can have a do-over. Crazier things have happened.”