OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Doug Elgin says there’s no rush to replace Creighton, which is leaving for the new Big East. Elgin said his league, which will be down to nine members June 30, is studying potential candidates. He said preference would be given to schools in the geographic footprint of the Valley and with a strong basketball tradition. Media reports list Denver, Milwaukee and Belmont as possibilities.

Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said the Big East will provide an opportunity to recruit the highest level of players and help the school achieve its goal of being a consistent Top 25 men’s basketball program. Valley spokesman Mike Kern says Creighton will forfeit about $325,000 in distributions because it’s leaving with less than a year’s notice.