DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — Former Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese proved his commitment to the Southeastern Conference with one simple task this week: He boarded a plane.

Tranghese is terrified of flying. It's one of the reasons he retired as a conference administrator. So making the trip to the SEC's annual spring meetings was no easy feat for him.

Improving the league's basketball profile and NCAA Tournament presence could be an even more challenging endeavor.