by Fitzgerald Cecilio

Amelia Island, FL

The ACC has expressed interest in playing its men's basketball tournaments at Madison Square Garden and The Barclays Center through commissioner John Swofford.

Sources said the conference is thoroughly investigating the Garden as a venue.

However, MSG executive vice president Joel Fisher was noncommittal about the ACC playing there.

In March, the new Big East Conference and Madison Square Garden announced a 12-year deal through 2026.

The MSG can get out of its deal before 2026 if the new Big East doesn't reach certain benchmarks and open the door for the ACC.

Besides Madison Square Garden, the ACC also has had discussions with the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The 2014 and '15 ACC men's basketball tournaments will be held in Greensboro, N.C., but no decision has been reached beyond that. The tournament has been played every year since 1954, but only 11 times has it moved outside the state of North Carolina.

Pittsburgh and Syracuse are two of what will be seven former Big East schools in the 15-team ACC by 2014, along with Miami (Fla.), Virginia Tech, Boston College, Notre Dame and Louisville.

"I think (Madison Square Garden) would be the best thing for the conference," said Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon.

The official deadline to bid for the 2016-21 ACC men's basketball tournaments was last September. Madison Square Garden did not submit a bid but still would be allowed to pursue future tournaments, a source said.

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ACC eyes MSG, Barclays Center as possible hoop venues