SMU's Larry Brown hopeful Big East can keep everybody together for another season or 2

FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2012, file photo, SMU head coach Larry Brown instructs his team during an NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Dallas. Brown hopes the Big East can stay intact for at least another basketball season or two. Three things drew the veteran coach to the SMU job: the school, city and conference. The last of those is uncertain even before the Mustangs play a game in their new league. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File) (The Associated Press)

SMU coach Larry Brown shouts a play to his team as the Mustangs take on Marshall during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, W.Va. SMU won 68-57. (AP Photo/The Herald-Dispatch, Mark Webb) (The Associated Press)

DALLAS – Larry Brown hopes the Big East can keep everybody together at least another basketball season or two.

Three things drew the veteran coach to the SMU job: the school, city and the Mustangs' pending move to the Big East Conference.

But even before SMU and three other Conference USA schools move there next season, seven Big East schools are now planning to leave to form their own basketball-based league. The departure of the so-called Catholic 7 could come in the next two years.

The Mustangs play C-USA co-leader Memphis on Wednesday night in a matchup of future Big East teams.

Brown says he doesn't know where realignment is going. But he's hopeful the Big East can stay together for Dallas-based SMU to become relevant as a basketball and football school.