The Big East is expected to be the big conference in the draft. Specifically, UConn.

This year, the Big East figures to dominate the NBA draft. At least six and as many as eight from the Big East could hear their names called in the first round of the draft, which takes place tonight in New York (7 p.m., ESPN).

The record for first-round draft choices out of one conference is eight, set in 1995 by the ACC. The Big East established its record with six first-rounders in the 1996 draft.

“There are years when leagues dominate the draft,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. “In 1986, the ACC had four of the first five players picked. I think you can look over the years and you’ll see several instances where a league had a bunch of players. The Big East was a great league last year because it had great players and this is the result.”

The Big East contingent will have a Connecticut flavor. Four former Huskies Rudy Gay, Marcus Williams, Hilton Armstrong and Josh Boone could go in the first round. Denham Brown and Rashad Anderson are potential second-round picks for an astounding six players from one team.

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Along with the UConn group, Big East alums Randy Foye and Kyle Lowry of Villanova should go in the first round. Quincy Douby of Rutgers, Steve Novak of Marquette and West Virginia’s Mike Gansey and Kevin Pittsnogle are first-round possibilities.

The number of potential first-round picks out of the Big East would have been one higher, but Pittsburgh center Aaron Gray, who was a first-round lock, elected to return for his senior year.

Of course, the NFL Draft’s opening round was dominated by the ACC and that didn’t exactly translate well on the field for the conference this past year.

WVUs’ Kevin Pittsnogle couldn’t seem to raise his draft status from last year to this. He’s still a mid-2nd round pick. The cost of being incapable of playing defense and rebounding despite being 6′ 11″. Mike Gansey, on the other hand, has climbed to an early-2nd, possible late-1st (though I don’t believe the latter), and I have to agree with this assessment.

According to Chris Ekstrand, who is a consultant for the NBA and a draft expert, both are likely to be drafted, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if either made it into the first round.

“Mike Gansey is a throwback type of a player,” Ekstrand said.

“His greatest strength is in his ability to fearlessly take the ball to the basket, and he has enough athleticism to play in the NBA. His value will depend on the style of the team that drafts him, much like Rick Barry’s sons, who have been more useful on certain types of teams than others.”

If he makes it to the Cavs picking at #42 in the 2nd round, I could see them taking him. He’s a local product and the Cavs GM, Danny Ferry, came over from San Antonio which has used Brent Barry and players like him as important complimentary players. That is unless they take a SG or PG with their pick at #25.

As for Carl Krauser, while there’s always a chance some team may take a shot at him at the end of the 2nd, he is more likely (and probably better for him) to be signed as a free agent and play the NBA summer leagues.

“I don’t expect he’ll be drafted, but that’s not a bad thing,” said Jay Bilas, a basketball analyst for ESPN. “If he’s undrafted, it might be better for him. There are a lot of guys out there who are capable of playing in the league, even though they aren’t drafted. Carl Krauser is a solid prospect, though not spectacular.”

If Krauser, who turned 25 in May, is to make it in the NBA, his critics repeatedly have stated that he’ll need to think “pass first,” an idea that is growing rapidly on him.

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While hearing his name called tonight would be a significant accomplishment for Krauser, going undrafted would present an opportunity for a host of teams to shop for a free agent who may best suit their needs.

“He’s helped himself, but whether he gets drafted or not, the consensus is he’s going to make the league,” Krauser’s agent Keith Glass said.

I would still love to hear Krauser’s name called tonight.