By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHILADELPHIA - With its expansion plans now targeted squarely on Charlotte and Saint Louis, the Atlantic 10 Conference is finalizing the process to invite the two Conference USA schools for the 2005-06 season.

Charlotte athletic director Judy Rose said she would agree to have her school join the league once the two parties have finished exchanging logistical information and the Atlantic 10 is ready to extend a formal invitation. Atlantic 10 presidents voted Tuesday to invite Charlotte and Saint Louis but made no official announcement.

"There are still figures to look at," Rose said. "For instance, I have no idea how the Atlantic 10 does their revenue sharing. Once you look at all of that, I would say, 'Yes.' "

It is believed Saint Louis would accept an invitation as well, but school spokesman Doug McIlhagga had no official comment.

Information has been sent from the Atlantic 10 office in Philadelphia to Charlotte and Saint Louis the last two days, and the process is expected to be completed soon.

The Atlantic 10 men's basketball media day is being held today in Philadelphia, but league spokesman Ray Cella said the additions would not be made today.

From Charlotte's standpoint, Rose would like to see the process completed soon, as it's clear there is no place left for the school in a football-minded C-USA.

"The Atlantic 10 is the best fit for us basketball-wise," Rose said. "They've got really good basketball, and we're a basketball school."

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com