Friday, September 6, 2013

Horizon League MBB TV Schedule Announced

The Horizon League released its 2013-14 regional and national TV schedule Friday. The package puts UWM on the Horizon League Game of the Week at least twice, with two other possible appearances late in the year.

This TV coverage will be in addition to UWM's local TV package with Time Warner, which will be set over the next month.

Meanwhile, the full Panther season schedule will be announced last week.

The full Horizon League TV announcement ...

INDIANAPOLIS -- As part of their long-term relationship, the Horizon League and ESPN have announced a minimum of 32 men’s basketball games involving League members will air nationally on ESPN Networks during the 2013-14 season.

“Our multiple ESPN platforms as well as our regional Game of the Week networks provide the Horizon League with invaluable exposure for the benefit of our member institutions, student-athletes and fans,” said Commissioner Jon LeCrone. “We look forward to providing another season of compelling, down-to-the-final-buzzer competition.”

“ESPN is excited to once again showcase the best teams in the Horizon League to fans across the country,” said Nick Dawson, senior director, ESPN programming and acquisitions. “With 16 conference games televised across a variety of ESPN networks and platforms, Horizon League fans will be well served throughout the 2013-14 season.”

Continuing a relationship that began with the 1988 Midwestern Collegiate Conference championship game, the Horizon League will host its championship game at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 11 on ESPN or ESPN2.

The Horizon League will once again will be a centerpiece of ESPNU’s Friday nights, starting on Jan. 10 when defending conference champion Valparaiso hosts Wright State in a rematch of last year’s championship thriller.

In all, there will be at least 15 games featuring League teams showcased on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU in 2013-14, beginning with Green Bay welcoming back Tony Bennett and his Virginia squad on Dec. 7 and concluding with the Horizon League championship game.

The Horizon League’s national telecast package is highlighted by a “Rivalry Week” showdown between Detroit and new conference member Oakland on Feb. 14. Wright State-Green Bay (Feb. 1) and Cleveland State-Wright State (Feb. 8) matchups could help decide who will host the Horizon League Tournament March 4-11.

In non-conference play, Oakland will be featured twice against Big Ten opponents, as the Golden Grizzlies face Indiana (Dec. 10, ESPN2), before hosting Michigan State on Dec. 14 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The award-nominated Horizon League Network Game of the Week will return on Saturday, Jan. 4, when Green Bay hosts Youngstown State. The 10-game schedule will feature three wildcard selections to close the regular season, with all broadcasts carried in all nine League markets and on ESPN3.

Continuing to set the standard for online streaming of sporting events, the Horizon League Network will carry every non-televised men’s and women’s basketball game this season for free and in full HD.

As the season approaches, check the schedule on HorizonLeague.com or follow the Horizon League on Twitter (@HorizonLeague, @billpotter_HL) for additional non-conference telecasts along with local and regional telecast information from the conference and its member institutions. 2013-14 Horizon League Regular Season TV Schedule

Dec. 7 - Virginia at Green Bay - ESPNU
Dec. 10 - Oakland at Indiana - ESPN2
Dec. 14 - Michigan State at Oakland - ESPN2
Jan. 2 - UIC at Valparaiso - ESPN3
Jan. 4 - Youngstown State at Green Bay - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Jan. 10 - Wright State at Valparaiso – ESPNU
Jan. 11 - Oakland at Detroit - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Jan. 17 - Green Bay at Wright State - ESPNU
Jan. 18 - Milwaukee at Valparaiso - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Jan. 25 - UIC at Oakland - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Jan. 29 - Green Bay at Valparaiso - ESPN3
Jan. 31 - Cleveland State at Detroit - ESPNU/ESPN3
Jan. 31 - Youngstown State at Oakland - ESPNU/ESPN3
Feb. 1 - Wright State at Green Bay - ESPN2
Feb. 5 - Youngstown State at Wright State - ESPN3
Feb. 7 - Detroit at Valparaiso - ESPNU
Feb. 8 - Cleveland State at Wright State - ESPN2
Feb. 8 - Milwaukee at Green Bay - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Feb. 14 - Detroit at Oakland - ESPNU
Feb. 15 - Wildcard Matchup TBA - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Feb. 18 - Detroit at UIC - ESPN3
Feb. 21 - Oakland at UIC – ESPNU OR ESPN3; Detroit at Wright State – ESPNU OR ESPN3
Feb. 22 - Wildcard Matchup TBA - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3
Feb. 25 - Valparaiso at Wright State – ESPN3
Feb. 27 - Green Bay at Oakland - ESPNU
March 1 - Wildcard Matchup TBA - HLN Game of the Week/ESPN3