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College Basketball Viewing Picks for 03/23 & 03/24/2013, All Times Eastern

Saturday, March 23

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m.
NCAA Tip-Off — TNT, 5 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, midnight
Inside March Madness — TBS, midnight
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 1 a.m. (Sunday)

Men’s
NCAA Tournament
3rd Round
East Region
Lexington, KY
Butler vs. Marquette — CBS, 7:45 p.m. (Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Allie LaForce)

San Jose, CA
Cal vs. Syracuse — TBS, 9:40 p.m. (Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Marty Snider)

Midwest Region
Auburn Hills, MI
Memphis vs. Michigan State — CBS, 2:45 p.m. (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols)

Lexington, KY
Colorado State vs. Louisville — CBS, 5:15 p.m. (Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Allie LaForce)

San Jose, CA
Oregon vs. Saint Louis — TBS, 7:10 p.m. (Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Marty Snider)

South Region
Auburn Hills, MI
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Michigan — CBS, 12:15 p.m. (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nicols)

Salt Lake City, UT
Harvard vs. Arizona — TNT, 6:10 p.m. (Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jamie Maggio!!!)
Wichita State vs. Gonzaga — TNT, 8:40 p.m. (Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jamie Maggio!!!)

National Invitation Tournament
2nd RoundStanford at Alabama — ESPN, 11 a.m. (Rich Hollenberg/Miles Simon)

Women’s
NCAA Tournament
1st Round

11 a.m
All Games on ESPN2
Quinnipiac vs. Maryland (Mark Kestecher/LaChina Robinson)
Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma (Clay Matvick/Swin Cash)
Creighton vs. Syracuse (Bob Wischusen/Nell Fortner)St. Joseph’s vs. Vanderbilt (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke)

1:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Marist vs. Michigan State (Mark Kestecher/LaChina Robinson)
Stetson vs. UCLA (Clay Matvick/Swin Cash)
Oral Roberts vs. Tennessee (Bob Wischusen/Nell Fortner)
Idaho vs. UConn (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke)

4 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
South Dakota State vs. South Carolina (Mark Jones/Fran Fraschilla)
Wichita State vs. Texas A&M (Carter Blackburn/Maria Taylor)
Fresno State vs. Cal (Cara Capuano/Stephen Bardo)
Gonzaga vs. Iowa State (Dave Flemming/Sean Farnham)

6:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Kansas vs. Colorado (Mark Jones/Fran Fraschilla)
Chattanooga vs. Nebraska (Carter Blackburn/Maria Taylor)
South Florida vs. Texas (Cara Capuano/Stephen Bardo)
Montana vs. Georgia (Dave Flemming/Sean Farnham)

Sunday, March 24

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Press Conferences — Big Ten Network, 5 p.m.
NCAA Tip-Off — TNT, 5 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 10 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, midnight
Inside March Madness — TBS, midnight
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 12:30 a.m. (Monday)

Men’s
NCAA Tournament
3rd Round
East Region
Dayton, OH
Temple vs. Indiana — CBS, 2:45 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson)

Austin, TX
Illinois vs. Miami — TNT, 8:40 p.m. (Tim Brando/Mike Gminski//Otis Livingston)

Midwest Region
Philadelphia, PA
Creighton vs. Duke — TBS, 9:40 p.m. (Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson)

South Region
Kansas City, MO
North Carolina vs. Kansas — CBS, 5:15 p.m. (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager)

Austin, TX
Minnesota vs. Florida — TNT, 6:10 p.m. (Tim Brando/Mike Gminski//Otis Livingston)

Philadelphia, PA
Florida Gulf Coast vs. San Diego State — TBS (Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson)

West Region
Dayton, OH
Iowa State vs. Ohio State — CBS, 12:15 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson)

Kansas City, MO
La Salle vs. Mississippi — truTV, 7:45 p.m. (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager)

National Invitation Tournament
2nd Round
St. John’s at Virginia — ESPN, noon (Mike Crispino/Derek Whittenberg)

Women’s
NCAA Tournament
1st Round

Noon
All Games on ESPN2
West Virginia vs. Delaware (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo)
Hampton vs. Duke (Joe Davis/Debbie Antonelli)
Liberty vs. Purdue (Melissa Lee/Brooke Weisbrod)
Navy vs. Kentucky (Bob Picozzi/Rosalyn Gold-Onwude) (also on ESPNU)

2:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Albany vs. North Carolina (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo)
DePaul vs. Oklahoma State (Joe Davis/Debbie Antonelli)
Middle Tennessee vs. Louisville (Melissa Lee/Brooke Weisbrod)
St. John’s vs. Dayton (Bob Picozzi/Rosalyn Gold-Onwude)

5 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Cal Poly vs. Penn State (Tom Hart/Krista Blunk)
Tennessee-Martin vs. Notre Dame (Holly Rowe/Brenda VanLengen)
Tulsa vs. Stanford (Dave Pasch/Mary Murphy)
Princeton vs. Florida State (Beth Mowins/Stephanie White)

7:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Green Bay vs. LSU (Tom Hart/Krista Blunk)
Iowa vs. Miami (FL) (Holly Rowe/Brenda VanLengen)
Villanova vs. Michigan (Dave Pasch/Mary Murphy)
Prairie View A&M vs. Baylor (Beth Mowins/Stephanie White)

Bill Walton is a Verbal Acid Trip: NIT Stephen F. Austin-Stanford Edition

Bill Walton was back on the ESPN Family of Networks on Tuesday, calling the NIT First Round game between Stephen F. Austin and Stanford with Dave Flemming.

He was on for the entire game. Here’s the quotage.

Courtesy Matt Yoder, Awful Announcing

(About mixing up players and schools)
“I want to apologize right off the bat, because I know I’m going to make a mistake tonight and say ‘Taylor Swift’ instead of ‘Taylor Smith.’ It’s not intentional. I’m also going to say ‘Stephen A. Smith’ instead of ‘Stephen F. Austin.’ so please bear with me.”

(On Stanford’s substituting all five players)
“Mark this down in NCAA history! Five substitutions at once!”

(On Taylor Smith of Stephen F. Austin)
“Taylor Smith’s anticipation. He’s not a tall guy. Maybe 6’6″. Got really long arms. Got really powerful broad shoulders. Fabulous footwork … But that posture he has, that regal center, yeah! ‘I’m Paul Bunyon! I’m coming to California to chop these trees down!’”

(On few fouls called)
Dave Flemming: “We’ve had very few whistles in this first half.”
Bill Walton: “Good! Let them play!”
Dave Flemming: “Free flowing game.”
Bill Walton: “But you can’t just push a guy out of the way!”

(On Stanford and California)
Walton: “Why would you ever want to leave Stanford? Oh my gosh! Driving through the campus today with the light rain coming down. Everyone on their bikes, it’s just absolutely fantastic. All the new buildings, the new construction.”
Flemming: “Smell the eucalyptus groves.”
Walton: “Ah… I remember wandering through the forest here at Stanford. Those of us who live in California, what a day it was before the rain came in! Flying up over Big Sur, Monterrey, Carmel, and on 17. Boy, everybody on the plane flying Southwest, just grinning broadly! California, meet me on the burning shore!”

(On the college basketball postseason)
“What a perfect time of year, basketball all day, everyday!”

(After an offensive foul by Stanford)
“You have the treat the opposition even if they are from Texas with a little more respect”

(After a Stanford run)
“Timeout on the court here. The Lumberjacks are to sharpen those teeth on the chainsaws.”

(On the 5 second rule, the shot clock and other rules)
Walton: “A rule that must be done away with when they finally get around to modernizing and logicalizing and rationalizing the rules! But the shot clock…”
Flemming: “Let’s start with the shot clock.”
Walton: “The shot clock should be 30.”
Flemming: “Should be 30.”
Walton: “You shouldn’t be able to score and commit an offensive foul at the same time! You shouldn’t be able to call time out when the other team has the ball!”
Flemming: “We’ve got some work to do, Bill.”

(At halftime)
“We’ve got a game here! The Lumberjacks have cut down the trees in the first half! Oh my gosh! The Pac-12 had better wake up! Washington has already gone down tonight! A lot of tough games! Time for the locals to shine here in California through the rain!”

(On Stephen F. Austin)
“All the way from Texas, they have come here to take down the California tree and it has worked magnificently!”

(On Stanford)
Walton: “They’re Stanford University! They have a $17 billion endowment! You know how much is Stephen F. Austin’s?
Flemming: “I don’t.”
Walton: “$18 million!”

(On the Apple Store in Palo Alto, CA)
Walton: “University Avenue here in Palo Alto? What more can you ask for? The new Apple Store! Have you seen it?
Flemming: “It’s pretty slick.”
Walton: “All glass! Palo Alto Cycles just up the road as well!”

(On Robert Morris upsetting Kentucky in the NIT)
“Robert Morris standing tall. Walking like a giant signing the Declaration of Independence taking down the Kentucky Wildcats.”

(On storming the court)
“That should also be outlawed! It’s so dangerous! For those of you at home… Do not storm the court! Big mistake!”

(On a Stephen F. Austin dunk)
“Throw it down, big man! Big time! Chop it down!”

(On Taylor Smith)
“The Paul Bunyon out there, Taylor Smith”

(About SFA coach Danny Kaspar and a First Take reference)
“I want Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless to give Danny Kaspar some love tomorrow.”

(On Nacogdoches, Texas where Stephen F. Austin is located)
“So much going on there in Nacogdoches! Oh my gosh! Don Henley! Started his dream right there so many years ago! Don Henley, one of the most brilliant songwriters, musicians, performers ever! Now with The Eagles, along with Joe Walsh, Glenn Frye, Timothy Schmidt! They have a fabulous documentary on them right now, ‘The History of The Eagles.’ The Eagles are playing this Saturday night, the 23rd at the MGM Grand where we just were for the Pac-12 Conference. The Age of Innocence is over! Oh my gosh! Hotel California! Thank you, Don Henley! Thank you, Glen, Joe, Timothy! Incredible contribution here!”

(A Sierra Club reference)
“The Sierra Club has to be breathing a little easier, worried about the trees just being cut down here in California.”

(Giving the Pac-12 some love)
“The Pac-12, the world’s greatest conference!”

(As Stephen F. Austin kept the ball game close)
“This is where dreams come true, where legends are made!”

(Giving SFA coach Danny Kaspar love)
“Thank heaven for Danny Kaspar. He’s saving the game of basketball.”

(On a Stanford timeout)
“Stanford’s calling timeout??? They’re in control!! The other team’s in desperate straits!”

(After Stanford wins following an SFA miss)
“One more pass to a wide open guy! Oh my gosh! What a game! What a finish! Tough! Fierce! Competitive! Intense! Tenacious! All the things you love about basketball!”

(Concluding the game)
“We’re the luckiest people on earth!”

(Finally)
“Dave, you’re a genius! Thanks for your patience.”

Tremendous stuff as usual.

NIT Returns to ESPN on Tuesday; Bill Walton Assigned to Stanford

The National Invitation Tournament is back to allow 32 teams that didn’t make the NCAA Tournament an opportunity to have some postseason play.

The ESPN family of networks will air the entire tournament culminating with the semifinals and finals at Madison Square Garden on April 2 and April 4, respectively. Bob Wischusen will call the games at MSG. He’ll be joined by Bill Raftery for the semis and Bob Knight on the final.

In addition, we have more Bill Walton. His assignments for ESPN are not done yet. He’ll work the Stephen F. Austin-Stanford game with Dave Flemming on Tuesday for ESPN2.

Let’s take a look at what we have for the first round of the NIT on the ESPN family.

Alabama, Kentucky, Southern Mississippi and Virginia among 32 to Play in NIT across ESPN Networks

Exclusive coverage of the entire 76^th National Invitation Tournament (NIT) begins on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, and continues across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 with coverage of all 31 games. In addition to 5 exclusive ESPN3 games during the first round, every game will be available on WatchESPN.

The NIT Semifinal games from Madison Square Garden will air on ESPN2, Tuesday, April 2,beginning at 7 p.m., and The NIT Championship will follow on Thursday, April 4 at 9 p.m. on ESPN. Play by play commentator Bob Wischusen will be joined by analysts Bill Raftery for the semifinals and Bob Knight for the final game of the tournament.

The 32-team field for the oldest tournament in college basketball was announced Sunday, March 17, during the ESPNU NIT Selection Show and includes teams representing 22 conferences, led by the ACC, Pac-12 and SEC with three selections each. First Round action airs from campus sites with the No.1 seeds Alabama, Southern Mississippi and Virginia competing at home. Defending National Champions, Kentucky, also joins the field as a No. 1 seed, but will play on the road at Robert Morris in Pittsburgh – Coach Calipari’s hometown – due to the unavailability of Rupp Arena.

Seven teams in the 2013 field played in the 2012 tournament, including the defending NIT Champions, Stanford. Three teams are making their first appearance in the tournament – Charleston Southern, Mercer and Norfolk State. St. John’s is making its 29^th appearance, the most all time. Eight teams in this year’s field have previously won an NIT title, including St. John’s, which has won a record six championships. Stanford has a chance to join St. John’s (1943, 1944) and South Carolina (2005, 2006) as the only teams to repeat.

2013 NIT First Round Schedule:

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Tue, March 19	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Niagara at Maryland Mike Patrick & LaPhonso Ellis	ESPN2
	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: St. John’s at Saint Joseph’s Mike Crispino & Bob Valvano	ESPNU
	7:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Louisiana Tech at Florida State Rich Hollenberg & Paul Biancardi	ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: Kentucky at Robert Morris Bob Wischusen, Jimmy Dykes & Allison Williams	ESPN
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Northeastern at Alabama John Saunders & Bob Knight	ESPN2
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Norfolk State at Virginia Mitch Holthus & Cory Alexander	ESPNU
	9:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Ohio at Denver Mark Neely & Corey Williams	ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: Washington at BYU Roxy Bernstein & Sean Farnham	ESPN
	11 p.m.	NIT First Round: Stephen F. Austin at Stanford Dave Flemming & Bill Walton	ESPN2
Wed, March 20	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Indiana State at Iowa Carter Blackburn and Dan Dakich	ESPN2
	7:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Charlotte at Providence Jason Benetti & Tim Welsh	ESPN3
	7:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Stony Brook at UMass Doug Sherman & Malcolm Huckaby	ESPN3
	8 p.m.	NIT First Round: Mercer at Tennessee John Saunders & Bob Knight	ESPNU
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Long Beach State at Baylor Mark Jones & Fran Fraschilla	ESPN2
	9:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Charleston Southern at Southern Mississippi Roy Philpott & Joe Dean	ESPN3
	10 p.m.	NIT First Round: Detroit at Arizona State Joe Davis & Miles Simon	ESPNU

That’s it for this post.

Doing Some Friday Megalinks Now

Let’s do some megalinks on this Friday. My apologies for the lack of posts yesterday. The site was swamped with people linking to my post on How to Avoid Paying the $3.99 Fee For March Madness Live and it was down for most of the day. We seem to be ok today, although the site was down for a short stretch in the morning. But we’re back up now and time for some megalinks on this Friday.

The Weekend Viewing Picks are up and running. Lots of sports as the winter NCAA Championships including the basketball tournaments are underway.

Let’s get to your links.

National

Michael Hiestand from USA Today praises CBS/Turner for bringing the NCAA head of men’s basketball officiating back to explain controversial calls.

Reid Cherner of USA Today’s Game On blog remembers a great NCAA Tournmament buzzer beater from 1981 as called by NBC’s Marv Albert.

Sports Business Daily notes the overnight ratings for Thursday’s games from the NCAA Tournament were down, but still considered a win for CBS/Turner.

Matt Carmichael from Advertising Age tells us which two schools were Googled the most during yesterday’s NCAA Tournament action.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid has the absolutely hilarious video of a WGN morning news anchor trying to amp up the volume at ESPN’s Dick Vitale while technical difficulties arise.

Karen Hogan from Sports Video Group writes that the National Invitation Tournament may be the NCAA Tournament’s ugly sister, but it still gets major treatment from ESPN.

To Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing who notes another Twitter feud involving CNBC’s Darren Rovell, this one with Bomani Jones.

Sports Media Watch says Thursday’s 2nd round NCAA Tournament games received slightly lower overnight ratings from the year before.

Dave Kohl of The Broadcast Booth wants to know why name calling in sports radio is a more punishable offense than inaccurate reporting.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy asks if the NHL’s new Stanley Cup ad campaign to replace the great “History Will Be Made” promos can be as successful.

Laura Northrup of the Consumerist wonders why NBA League Pass hasn’t adjusted to Daylight Savings Time?

All Access says ESPN Deportes Radio in Chicago has picked up the Spanish rights to the White Sox.

La Liga Talk has learned that Al Jazeera has obtained the US TV rights to Spain’s La Liga from Gol TV.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn talks with ESPN’s Dick Vitale.

At SB Nation Boston, Boston Sports Media Watch’s Bruce Allen says social networking may have created spoiled fans.

Tazina Vega from the New York Times says the NHL is hoping to lure viewers by airing all of its Stanley Cup Playoff games on various NBC Sports platforms.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels the CBS/Turner NCAA Tournament collaboration has become the Home Shopping Network. Whatever.

The Post’s Justin Terranova talks with CBS/Turner analyst Clark Kellogg.

Justin has 5 questions for MSG Network NBA analyst Kelly Tripucka.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that the Onion has skewered the DC NFL Team.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with a Turner Sports Interactive executive on how Twitter is incorporated into this year’s NCAA Tournament coverage.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says NBC will air this fall’s Miami-Notre Dame football game in primetime.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle notes that CBS/Turner’s Charles Barkley criticized Baylor’s ugly neon yellow uniforms.

David has the CBS/Turner announcing assignments for Saturday’s NCAA Tournament action.

Mel Bracht from The Oklahoman notes that Cox Cable subscribers can access the NCAA March Madness Live app for free provided they authenticate.

John E. Hoover from the Tulsa World says the Big 12′s new TV deals will ensure the survival of the conference.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that Reds voice Marty Brennaman can be heard in a new UPS March Madness ad.

While Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel enjoys the NCAA Tounament, there are some things he can do without.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business announces he’ll no longer be writing his sports business and media blog for the publication.

Ed says he will be launching a new site on the sports media and I look forward to seeing it when it finally comes to fruition.

Brigid Sweeney of Crain’s Chicago Business notes that Bulls TV analyst Stacey King now has a new fashion line.

Paul Christian at the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says the national Junior College championships can be seen online.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the local CBS affiliate didn’t help matters by taking up a large portion of the screen during NCAA Tournament action for weather updates.

West

Bill Center at the San Diego Union-Tribune says maybe, maybe Fox Sports San Diego will launch on Saturday provided MLB approval comes that quickly.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star looks at the Erin Andrews network sweepstakes.

Jim says the NCAA Tournament has become predictable.

Jim has his weekend viewing picks.

Richard Horgan of Fishbowl LA says ESPN will not discipline its SoCal reporters for getting a big story wrong on the Dodgers ownership bid process.

We are going to end the links there. Not as many as in past weeks, but still a hefty amount. Enjoy your weekend.

College Basketball Viewing Picks For 03/17 & 03/18/12, All Times Eastern

Saturday, March 17

Men’s

National Invitational Tournament
Second Round
UMass at Seton Hall — ESPN,11 a.m.

NCAA Tournament
Third Round

East Region
Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller/Marty Snider (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Scott Graham/Kevin Grevey
#1 Syracuse vs. Kansas State — CBS, 12:15 p.m.
#2 Ohio State vs. #7 Gonzaga — CBS, 2:45 p.m.

The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel/Jamie Maggio (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Dave Sims/Michael Cage
#4 Wisconsin vs. #5 Vanderbilt — TNT, 6:10 p.m.

South Region
Rose Garden, Portland, OR
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner/Jenn Hildreth (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Kevin Calabro/Bill Frieder
#4 Indiana vs. #12 VCU — TBS, 7:10 p.m.

KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery/Lesley Visser (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Ted Robinson/Kyle Macy
#1 Kentucky vs. #8 Iowa State — CBS, 7:45 p.m.

The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel/Jamie Maggio (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Dave Sims/Michael Cage
#3 Baylor vs. #11 Colorado — TNT, 8:40 p.m.

West Region
KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery/Lesley Visser (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Ted Robinson/Kyle Macy
#3 Marquette vs. #6 Murray State — CBS, 5:15 p.m.

Rose Garden, Portland, OR
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner/Jenn Hildreth (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Kevin Calabro/Bill Frieder
#4 Louisville vs. #5 New Mexico — TBS, 9:40 p.m.

Full Court Press — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m.
NCAA Tip-Off — TNT, 5 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, midnight
Inside March Madness — TBS, midnight

Women’s
NCAA Tournament
First Round
All Games on ESPN2

Kingston, RI Region
Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT
Announcers: Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo
#8 Kansas State vs. #9 Princeton — ESPN2, 11:20 a.m.
#1 UConn vs. #16 Prairie View A&M — ESPN2, 1:50 p.m.

McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
Announcers: Dave Flemming/Sean Farnham
#6 Rutgers vs. #11 Gonzaga — ESPN2, 4:15 p.m.
#3 Miami (FL) vs. #14 Idaho State — ESPN2, 6:45 p.m.

Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA
Announcers: Clay Matvick/Krista Blunk
#2 Kentucky vs. McNeese State — ESPN2, 4:20 p.m.
#7 Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. #10 Iowa State — ESPN2, 6:50 p.m.

Raleigh, NC Region
Comcast Center, College Park, MD
Announcers: Bob Wischusen/LaChina Robinson
#2 Maryland vs. #15 Navy — ESPN2, 11:15 a.m.
#7 Louisville vs. #10 Michigan State — ESPN, 1:45 p.m.

Reed Arena, College Station, TX
Announcers: Carter Blackburn/Tamika Raymond
#6 Arkansas vs. #11 Dayton — ESPN2, 4:05 p.m.
#3 Texas A&M vs. #14 Albany — ESPN2, 6:35 p.m.

Fresno, CA Region
Ted Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk, VA
Announcers: Mark Jones/Mary Murphy
#8 West Virginia vs. #9 Texas — ESPN2, 11:10 a.m.
#1 Stanford vs. #16 Hampton — ESPN2, 1:40 p.m.

Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Announcers: Brenda VanLengen/Stephen Bardo
#5 South Carolina vs. #12 Eastern Michigan — ESPN2, 11:05 a.m.
#4 Purdue vs. #13 South Dakota State — ESPN2, 1:45 p.m.

Des Moines, IA Region
Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
Announcers: Jon Sciambi/Brooke Weisbrod
#2 Tennessee vs. #15 Tennessee-Martin — ESPN2, 4:10 p.m.
#7 DePaul vs. #10 BYU — ESPN2, 6:40 p.m.

Sunday, March 18

Men’s

National Invitation Tournament
2nd Round
Northern Iowa at Drexel — ESPN, 11 a.m.
Bucknell at Nevada — ESPNU, 3 p.m.
Iowa at Oregon — ESPNU, 5 p.m.

NCAA Tournament
Third Round

East Region
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel/Lewis Johnson (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Brad Sham/Pete Gillen
#3 Florida State vs. #6 Cincinnati — TBS, 9:40 p.m.

Midwest Region
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Tim Brando/Mike Gminski/Otis Livingston (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Wayne Larrivee/John Thompson
#3 Georgetown vs. #11 North Carolina State — CBS, 12:15 p.m.

Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg/Tracy Wolfson (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Gary Cohen/Reid Gettys
#1 North Carolina vs. #8 Creighton — CBS, 5:15 p.m.

Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel/Lewis Johnson (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Brad Sham/Pete Gillen
#12 South Florida vs. #13 Ohio — TBS, 7:10 p.m.

CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Marv Albert/Steve Kerr/Craig Sager (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Kevin Kugler/Tom Brennan
#2 Kansas vs. #10 Purdue — TNT, 8:40 p.m.

South Region

Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg/Tracy Wolfson (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Gary Cohen/Reid Gettys
#10 Xavier vs. #15 Lehigh — truTV, 7:45 p.m.

Midwest Region
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Tim Brando/Mike Gminski/Otis Livingston (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Wayne Larrivee/John Thompson
#1 Michigan State vs. #9 Saint Louis — CBS, 2:45 p.m.

CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE
Announcers: CBS/Turner — Marv Albert/Steve Kerr/Craig Sager (sidelines); Dial Global Radio — Kevin Kugler/Tom Brennan
#7 Florida vs. #15 Norfolk State — TNT, 6:10 p.m.

Full Court Press — CBS Sports Network, 4:30 p.m.
NCAA Tip-Off — TNT, 5 p.m.
Full Court Press — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard– ESPN2, midnight
Inside March Madness — TBS, midnight

Women’s

NCAA Tournament
First Round
All Games on ESPN2

Kingston, RI Region
Maravich Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Announcers: Bob Picozzi/Rosalyn Gold-Onwude
#4 Penn State vs. #13 UTEP — ESPN2, 5:15 p.m.
#5 LSU vs. #12 San Diego State — ESPN2, 7:45 p.m.

Raleigh, NC Region
Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, FL
Announcers: Justin Kutcher/Nell Fortner
#4 Georgia vs. #13 Marist — ESPN2, 12:05 p.m.
#5 St. Bonaventure vs. #12 Florida Gulf Coast — ESPN2, 2:45 p.m.

Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame, IN
Announcers: Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke
#8 Cal vs. #9 Iowa — ESPN2, 12:10 p.m.
#1 Notre Dame vs. Liberty — ESPN2, 2:40 p.m.

Fresno, CA Region
Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
Announcers: Marc Kestecher/Kayte Christensen
#3 St. John’s vs. #14 Creighton — ESPN2, 5:05 p.m.
#6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Michigan — ESPN2, 7:35 p.m.

Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, TN
Announcers: Dave Pasch/Debbie Antonelli
#7 Vanderbilt vs. #10 Middle Tennessee State — ESPN2, 5:10 p.m.
#2 Duke vs. #15 Samford — ESPN2, 7:40 p.m.

Des Moines, IA Region
Stroh Center, Bowling Green, OH
Announcers: Cara Capuano/Abby Waner
#8 Ohio State vs. #9 Florida State — ESPN2, 12:15 p.m.
#1 Baylor vs. #16 UC Santa Barbara — ESPN2, 2:45 p.m.

Carmichael Arena, Chapel Hill, NC
Announcers: Beth Mowins/Stephanie White
#5 Georgetown vs. #12 Fresno State — ESPN2, 12:20 p.m.
#4 Georgia Tech vs. #13 Sacred Heart — ESPN2, 2:50 p.m.

Jack Stephens Center, Little Rock, AR
Announcers: Holly Rowe/Fran Fraschilla
#3 Delaware vs. #14 Arkansas-Little Rock — ESPN2, 5:20 p.m.
#6 Nebraska vs. #11 Kansas — ESPN2, 7:50 p.m.

Entire 2012 NIT First Round To Be Aired on ESPN Networks

Last night, the entire 32 team field for the 75th annual National Invitation Tournament was announced on ESPNU. The networks of ESPN will air all of the 16 first round games that will be held Tuesday and Wednesday.

The entire bracket can be seen here.

We have the schedules for Tuesday and Wednesday plus the networks that will air the games. Announcing assignments will be released later today.

Here is the schedule.

UPDATE — 2:45 p.m.: The announcing assignments and now the entire NIT schedule has been released so let’s provide that in the press release below.

Washington, Tennessee, Seton Hall and Arizona among Teams Slated for ESPN’s Exclusive Coverage of National Invitation Tournament

Exclusive coverage of the entire 75^th National Invitation Tournament begins on ESPN2, Tuesday March 13 at 7 p.m. ET, and continues across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 with coverage of all 31 games. In addition to five exclusive ESPN3 games during the first round, the broadband network will simulcast every first round, second round, quarterfinal, semifinal and final matchup. The semifinal on ESPN2 and the championship game on ESPN will also be simulcast in ESPN3D.

The 32-team field for the oldest tournament in college basketball was announced Sunday, March 11 during the ESPNU NIT Selection Show and includes teams representing 18 conferences, led by the Atlantic 10, Pac-12 and SEC with four selections each. Five teams in the 2012 field are previous NIT Champions: Dayton (1962, 1968, 2010), Minnesota (1993, 1998), La Salle (1952), Seton Hall (1953) and Stanford (1991).

Dayton is making its 24^th appearance in the NIT, the most among schools in this year’s tournament; the second highest in the tournament’s history, behind St. John’s (28). St. Joseph’s is making its 15^th NIT appearance and is currently tied for the fourth most NIT appearances without winning the title.

On Wednesday, March 14 during the 7 p.m. hour, Philadelphia will be the epicenter for college hoops when La Salle, Drexel and St. Joseph’s all host NIT games at home. Drexel, making its sixth appearance in the NIT, is tied with three other schools for the most NIT games without a win.

Bucknell, UCF, Northern Iowa and Savannah State are all making their first NIT appearance.

Schedule subject to change beyond first round: 

Date	Time (ET)	Game/Commentators	Network
Tue, Mar 13	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Massachusetts at Mississippi State Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes	ESPN2
	7:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Stony Brook at Seton Hall Mike Gleason and Tim O’Toole	ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: Dayton at Iowa Bob Wischusen and Dan Dakich	ESPN
	8 p.m.	NIT First Round: Savannah State at Tennessee Mike Crispino and Bob Valvano	ESPNU
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Akron at Northwestern Mike Patrick and Fran Fraschilla	ESPN2
	9:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Marshall at Middle Tennessee State Adam Amin and Brooke Weisbrod	ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: LSU at Oregon Dave Flemming and Sean Farnham	ESPN
	10 p.m.	NIT First Round: UT Arlington at Washington Justin Kutcher and Tim McCormick	ESPNU
	11 p.m.	NIT First Round: Cleveland State at Stanford Roxy Bernstein and Mark Adams	ESPN2
Wed, Mar 14	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Minnesota at La Salle John Saunders and Stephen Bardo	ESPN2
	7:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: UCF at Drexel Mike Gleason and Paul Biancardi	ESPN3
	7:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Northern Iowa at St. Joseph’s Noah Coslov and Rob Kennedy	ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: Valparaiso at Miami Mark Jones and Tim Welsh	ESPNU
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Bucknell at Arizona Carter Blackburn and Miles Simon	ESPN2
	9:15 p.m.	NIT First Round: Nevada at Oral Roberts Mitch Holthus and Doc Sadler	ESPN3
	9:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: Illinois State at Ole Miss Clay Matvick and Joe Dean	ESPNU
Fri, Mar 16	9:30 p.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPNU
Sat, Mar 17	11 a.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPN
Sun, Mar 18	11 a.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPN
	3 p.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPNU
	5 p.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPNU
Mon, Mar 19	7 p.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPN2
	9 p.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPN2
	11 p.m.	NIT Second Round: TBD	ESPN2
Tue, Mar 20	7 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal: TBD	ESPN2
	9 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal: TBD	ESPN2
Wed, Mar 21	7 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal: TBD	ESPN2
	9 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal: TBD	ESPN2
Tue, Mar 27	7 p.m.	NIT SEMIFINAL: TBD Mike Patrick, Fran Fraschilla and Bill Raftery	ESPN2/ESPN3D
	9:30 p.m.	NIT SEMIFINAL: TBD Mike Patrick, Fran Fraschilla and Bill Raftery	ESPN2/ESPN3D
Thu, Mar 29	7 p.m.	NIT CHAMPIONSHIP: TBD Mike Patrick, Fran Fraschilla and Bill Raftery	ESPN/ESPN3D

*All games will be simulcast on ESPN3;

That is it.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 03/20 & 03/21/09

Saturday, March 20

men’s

NCAA Tournament – All games on CBS
2nd round
Road to the Final Four – CBS, noon

1:05 p.m.
Villanova vs. St. Mary’s at Providence, RI – Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery

3:20 p.m.
Butler vs. Murray State at San Jose, CA – Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel

approximately 3:35 p.m.
Tennessee vs. Ohio at Providence, RI – Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery

5:40 p.m.
Kansas vs. Northern Iowa at Oklahoma City, OK – Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner

5:45 p.m.
Baylor vs. Old Dominion at New Orleans, LA – Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas

approximately 5:50 p.m.
New Mexico vs. Washington at San Jose, CA – Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel

approximately 8:10 p.m.
Kansas State vs. BYU at Oklahoma City, OK – Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner

approximately 8:15 p.m.
Wake Forest vs. Kentucky at New Orleans, LA – Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas

NCAA March Madness Highlights – CBS College Sports, 10 p.m.

NIT
2nd round
North Carolina at Mississippi State – ESPN, noon
North Carolina State at UAB – ESPNU, 5 p.m.

women’s

NCAA Tournament – All Games on ESPN2
1st round

noon
Hartford vs. LSU at Durham, NC – Beth Mowins/Stephanie Ready
Princeton vs. St. John’s at Tallahassee, FL – Jon Sciambi/Abby Waner
Austin Peay vs. Tennessee at Knoxville, TN – Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke
Bowling Green vs. Michigan State at Louisville, KY – Justin Kutcher/Rebecca Lobo

approximately 2:30 p.m.
Hampton vs. Duke at Durham, NC – Beth Mowins/Stephanie Ready
Louisiana Tech vs. Florida State at Tallahassee, FL – Jon Sciambi/Abby Waner
TCU vs. Dayton at Knoxville, TN – Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke
Liberty vs. Kentucky at Louisville, KY – Justin Kutcher/Rebecca Lobo

8 p.m.
Chattanooga vs. Oklahoma State at Tempe, AZ – Dave Pasch/Brenda VanLengen
Rutgers vs. Iowa at Palo Alto, CA – Terry Gannon/Mary Murphy
Marist vs. Georgetown at Berkeley, CA – Cara Capuano/Kayte Christensen
Portland State vs. Texas A&M at Seattle, WA – Allen Hopkins/Krista Blunk

approximately 10:30 p.m.
Tulane vs. Georgia at Tempe, AZ – Dave Pasch/Brenda VanLengen
UC-Riverside vs. Stanford at Palo Alto, CA – Terry Gannon/Mary Murphy
Fresno State vs. Baylor at Berkeley, CA – Cara Capuano/Kayte Christensen
North Carolina vs. Gonzaga at Seattle, WA – Allen Hopkins/Krista Blunk

Sunday, March 21

men’s

NCAA Tournament – All Games on CBS
2nd round

12:10 p.m.
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga at Buffalo, NY – Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

2:20 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Georgia Tech at Milwaukee, WI – Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel

2:30 p.m.
Michigan State vs. Maryland at Spokane, WA – Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

approximately 2:40 p.m.
West Virginia vs. Missouri at Buffalo, NY – Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

2:50 p.m.
Wisconsin vs. Cornell at Jacksonville, FL – Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

approximately 4:50 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Xavier at Milwaukee, WI – Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel

approximately 5:00 p.m.
Purdue vs. Texas A&M at Spokane, WA – Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

approximately 5:20 p.m.
Duke vs. Cal at Jacksonville, FL – Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

NCAA March Madness Highlights – CBS College Sports, 7 p.m.

women’s

NCAA Tournament – All Games on ESPN2
1st round

noon
DePaul vs. Vanderbilt at Cincinnati, OH – Bob Wischusen/Stephanie White
Southern vs. UConn at Norfolk, VA – Mark Kestecher/Stephen Bardo
Vermont vs. Wisconsin at South Bend, IN – Eric Collins/Brooke Weisbrod
St. Francis (PA) vs. Ohio State at Pittsburgh, PA – Pam Ward/Deb Antonelli

approximately 2:30 p.m.
East Tennessee State vs. Xavier at Cincinnati, OH – Bob Wischusen/Stephanie White
James Madison vs. Temple at Norfolk, VA – Mark Kestecher/Stephen Bardo
Cleveland State vs. Notre Dame at South Bend, IN – Eric Collins/Brooke Weisbrod
Middle Tennessee State vs. Mississippi State at Pittsburgh, PA – Pam Ward/Deb Antonelli

7 p.m.
Northern Iowa vs. Nebraska at Minneapolis, MN – Clay Matvick/Leslie Hill
Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Virginia at Ames, IA – Bob Picozzi/Jimmy Dykes
San Diego State vs. Texas at Austin, TX – Carter Blackburn/LaChina Robinson
Arkansas-Little Rock vs. Georgia Tech at Norman, OK – Dan McLaughlin/Fran Fraschilla

approximately 9:30 p.m.
North Carolina State vs. UCLA at Minneapolis, MN – Clay Matvick/Leslie Hill
Lehigh vs. Iowa State at Ames, IA – Bob Picozzi/Jimmy Dykes
Lamar vs. West Virginia at Austin, TX – Carter Blackburn/LaChina Robinson
South Dakota State vs. Oklahoma – Dan McLaughlin/Fran Fraschilla

ESPN’s 2010 NIT Coverage

In what could be the last year for the National Invitation Tournament, ESPN will provide blanket coverage of the nation’s oldest college basketball postseason party. Unfortunately, not many people take the NIT seriously anymore, however, it is a chance for teams to get some postseason play. Here is what ESPN’s family of networks will air over the next few weeks.

Notice Mike Patrick will call a handful of games here and Ron Franklin in what will most likely be his last work for ESPN will do the NIT semis and finals with his old Big 12 partner Fran Fraschilla and Bill Raftery. Ron has said he plans to retire after the college basketball season.

Exclusive coverage of the 2010 National Invitation Tournament on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN360.com – 10 first-round games, extensive second-round action, all quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship – will begin with six first-round games Tuesday, March 16, and four first-round matchups Wednesday, March 17.

The 32-team field includes last year’s NCAA Tournament Champion in North Carolina, 23 teams with 20 or more wins, and St. John’s, the NIT record holder for most appearances, games and championships, in its first NIT since 2003.

Northeastern and Connecticut get things started Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com, followed by five more games including Texas Tech at Seton Hall at 9 p.m. on ESPN2 and William & Mary at defending NCAA Champion North Carolina at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Coverage of second-round games begins Friday, March 19. The semifinals on Tuesday, March 30, and NIT Championship on Thursday, April 1, will be telecast on the ESPN networks live from New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The NIT featured exclusively on ESPN follows a successful 2009 campaign in which ESPN audiences increased from 2008 coverage. ESPN’s six telecasts averaged a 1.1 and 1,033,000 households, up 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively, over 2008 (1.0 and 929,000 households for seven games). ESPN2, with 11 telecasts, averaged a 0.7 and 662,000 households for increases of 40 percent and 32 percent, respectively, over 2008 (0.5 and 502,000 households; 11 contests).

On Sunday, March 14, ESPNU’s NIT Selection Show presented the live announcement of the NIT field, which features 32 teams. This is the fifth year in which all Division I conference regular-season champions that will not be in the NCAA Tournament are guaranteed an NIT bid (the eight this year include Weber State, Troy, Coastal Carolina, Kent State, Jacksonville, Stony Brook, Quinnipiac and Jackson State).The NIT, founded in 1938, is the nation’s oldest postseason college basketball tournament.

2010 NIT Schedule (times subject to change)

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Commentators	Network
Tue, Mar 16	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Northeastern at Connecticut	Mike Patrick & Tim Welsh	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	8 p.m.	NIT First Round: N.C. State at USF	Mike Gleason & Mark Adams	ESPNU / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Texas Tech at Seton Hall	Ron Franklin & Fran Fraschilla	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	9:30 p.m.	NIT First Round: William & Mary at North Carolina	Brad Nessler & Jimmy Dykes	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	10 p.m.	NIT First Round: Jackson State at Mississippi State	Clay Matvick & Joe Dean, Jr.	ESPNU / ESPN360.com
	11 p.m.	NIT First Round: Jacksonville at Arizona State	Terry Gannon & Stephen Bardo	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
Wed, Mar 17	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Weber State at Cincinnati	Mike Patrick & Tim Welsh	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	7 p.m.	NIT First Round: Northwestern at Rhode Island	John Rooke & Tim O’Toole	ESPNU / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: St. John’s at Memphis	John Saunders & Bob Valvano	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT First Round: Illinois at Stony Brook	Dan McLaughlin & Dickey Simpkins	ESPNU / ESPN360.com
Fri, Mar 19	TBD	NIT Second Round	Ron Franklin & Mark Gottfried	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
Sat, Mar 20	TBD	NIT Second Round	Dari Nowkhah & LaPhonso Ellis	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	5 p.m.	NIT Second Round	TBD	ESPNU / ESPN360.com
Mon, Mar 22	7 p.m.	NIT Second Round	Mike Patrick, Tim Welsh	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	8 p.m.	NIT Second Round	TBD	ESPNU / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT Second Round	Ron Franklin, Mark Gottfried	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	11:30 p.m.	NIT Second Round	Ryan Burr, Bob Valvano	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
Tue, Mar 23	7 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal	John Sciambi & LaPhonso Ellis	ESPN / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal	John Saunders & Bob Valvano	ESPN / ESPN360.com
Wed, Mar 24	7 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal	Mike Patrick & Tim Welsh	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT Quarterfinal	Brad Nessler & Jimmy Dykes	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
Tue, Mar 30	7 p.m.	NIT Semifinal	Ron Franklin, Fran Fraschilla & Bill Raftery	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	NIT Semifinal	Ron Franklin, Fran Fraschilla & Bill Raftery	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
Thu, Apr 1	7 p.m.	NIT Championship	Ron Franklin, Fran Fraschilla & Bill Raftery	ESPN HD / ESPN360.com

Schedule subject to change

That will do it.

Our Back To The Work Week Links

Let’s do some linkage for you as many of us are back to work today.

Starting with the Sports Business Journal, we have the nominees for the publication’s 2010 Sports Business Awards.

On The DL’s Dan Levy breaks down CBS’ announcing teams and assignments in the Sporting Blog.

Greg Risling of the Associated Press says Erin Andrews’ stalker will be sentenced in court today.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says CBS turned in a yeoman’s effort for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell goes inside the financial numbers for the NCAA Tournament.

Darren wonders if Duke’s athletic department lost money in the previous academic year.

The great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated talks with CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus about what the return of Tiger Woods would mean for the network that covers it.

In her blog, Daryn Kagan tells us what she would ask Tiger Woods if she had the opportunity.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary on Reggie Miller with a jaded eye towards the New York Knicks.

Phil Mushnick from the New York Post goes after the Big East Tournament.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has some quotage from ESPNU’s “The Experts” who weighed in on Siena’s chances in the NCAA Tournament.

Pete has the NIT schedule complete with tip times and TV network.

And Pete notes that the perpetually angry Doug Gottlieb is on the Siena bandwagon.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Times Herald-Record tries to figure out which NCAA Tournament games will be aired in the New York metropolitan area.

And Ken lists the 10 NIT games that will be aired on ESPN2 and ESPNU this week.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says Universal Sports will be all over the Paralympics in Vancouver starting today.

And Jim says MASN will air the Nationals-Braves game tonight.

Israel Gutierrez from the Miami Herald feels the NCAA Tournament should stay at 65 teams and not have ESPN get involved.

Monte Hale, Jr. of the Tennessean writes that ESPN’s cameras will be catching the reaction of Middle Tennessee State during its NCAA Women’s Tournament Selection Show tonight.

James Jahnke from the Detroit Free Press says former Michigan State star Mateen Cleeves will join Fox Sports Detroit as an analyst for select Pistons games.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Marquette got a nod from CBS/Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis. 

Dusty Saunders from the Denver Post is impressed by Bob Knight’s work on ESPN. 

Greg Hansen in the Arizona Daily Star says the Pac-10 Tournament on Fox Sports Net needs an infusion.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the SoCal sports calendar for the week.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says when Don Cherry denounces the NHL on head shots, it’s time to take notice.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says a beloved curling analyst has worked his last match.

Steve Lapore at Puck The Media says Don Cherry was clairvoyant in his Coach’s Corner segment on Sidney Crosby.

The great Midwest Sports Fans blog has a look some of the best Gus Johnson moments at the NCAA Tournament.

Rob Tornoe of Tornoe’s Cartoon News blog reports that former Rocky Mountain News sports cartoonist Drew Litton is now displaying his work at ESPN.com. You can see Drew’s first cartoon right here.

The Sports Media Watch says South Park will be the next to lampoon Tiger Woods.

That’s going to do it for the links today. 

Coming Up This Week

Here are some coming attractions for this week on the various networks.

First, Golf Channel has some interesting stuff including another installment of The Haney Project with Ray Romano.

Coming up on Golf Channel…March 15-21

Cash Cab Host Ben Bailey Visits Romano on The Haney Project;Daly’s Exclaims “I’m Done” on Being John Daly; Sorenstam Special Guest on The Golf Fix

Original Programming Premieres and Highlights

 (All Times Eastern)

The Haney Project: Ray Romano (new)

Airtime: Monday, 9-9:30 p.m.

Video Preview: Haney Project Sneak Peek

In the series’ third episode, Cash Cab host and fellow comedian Ben Bailey will stop by the course to check on Ray Romano’s progress on the golf course and will challenge him to golf trivia on his “Cash Cart.”  Meanwhile, as Hank Haney continues to work with Romano, he notices Romano is spending more time dwelling on what he thinks he is doing wrong than listening to Haney’s instruction.

Being John Daly (new)

Airtime: Tuesday, 9-9:30 p.m.

Video Preview: Being John Daly Sneak Peek

The series will take viewers to San Diego for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course, site of John Daly’s last victory on the PGA TOUR in 2004.  Prior to the start of the tournament, he will share some down time with good friend Marshall Faulk, but once the tournament begins, Daly’s comeback quickly heads south. Viewers will witness his parking lot meltdown when he tells Golf Channel cameras “I’m done,” following his missed cut.

The Golf Fix (Live)

Host: Michael Breed

Guest: Annika Sorenstam

Airtime: Monday, 7-8 p.m.

Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam will join host Michael Breed in-studio on a new episode of The Golf Fix, providing viewers golf tips and instruction. Breed also will utilize the studio’s new high-tech golf simulator to re-create the key shots from the WGC-CA Championship.

Top 10: Who’s Your Caddy (new)

Host: Lauren Thompson

Airtime: Wednesday, 9-9:30 p.m.

News and Talk Show Premieres and Highlights

Golf Central (On-site at Transitions Championship Thursday – Sunday)

Live Airings:   Monday – Saturday                 6 – 6:30 p.m.

                        Sunday                                    6 – 7 p.m.

Golf Central Pre Game (On-site at Transitions Championship Thursday – Sunday)

Live Airings:  Thursday – Friday                     2:30 – 3 p.m.

                        Saturday – Sunday                    1 – 1:30 p.m.

Golf Central and Golf Central Pre Game will recap the WGC-CA Championship and the Puerto Rico Open, and will deliver all of the news and highlights from the Transitions Championship and throughout the world of golf. Thursday – Sunday, Golf Central and Golf Central Pre Game will broadcast live and on-site from Innisbrook Resort, site of the Transitions Championship.

Grey Goose 19^th Hole (Live)

Host: Kraig Kann

Panelists: John Hawkins, Jeff Rude

Contributor: Win McMurry

Guest: Kenny Perry

Airtime: Wednesday, 7-8 p.m.

Host Kraig Kann and panelists John Hawkins and Jeff Rude will debate the hot topics in golf coming out of the WGC-CA Championship and the Puerto Rico Open and will preview the Transitions Championship, featuring viewer interaction throughout the show. PGA TOUR Professional and Transitions spokesman Kenny Perry will join the show as a guest from the Transitions Championship. Win McMurry and members of GolfChannel.com’s editorial team also will contribute throughout the show.

On Tuesday, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel returns on HBO.

REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL

GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH MICHIGAN STATE BASKETBALL COACH TOM IZZO; TELLS THE STORIES OF THREE TRANSGENDER SPORTSWRITERS;

PROFILES A FORMER PARALYMPIC SKIER WHO REGAINED HIS VISION; AND REVISITS HAITI TO SPOTLIGHT BOBY DUVAL’S DEDICATION TO ITS CHILDREN WHEN THE EMMY^®-WINNING SHOW RETURNS MARCH 16, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO^®

            REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL presents more enterprising features and reporting when its 156th edition, available in HDTV, debuts TUESDAY, MARCH 16 (10:00 p.m. ET/PT & 9:00 p.m. CT), exclusively on HBO.

            HBO On Demand availability:  March 22-April 12

            Segments include:

            *Izzo’s World.  A year ago, when Michigan residents were coping with the crippling effects of the recession, coach Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans rallied the state with an inspiring ride through the NCAA tournament, all the way to the National Championship game at Ford Field in Detroit.  It marked the fifth time Iron Mountain, Mich. native had taken his team to the Final Four, which resulted in a national championship title for the school in 2000.  Now, as his team prepares for Michigan State’s 13th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, correspondent Jon Frankel travels to East Lansing in this REAL SPORTS/Sports Illustrated report to learn what drives Coach Izzo and why he remains the perfect fit for the Spartans.

            Producer:  Mike Sullivan

            *The Big Switch.  For sportswriters today, dealing with competition for stories, deadline pressures and job cutbacks can be overwhelming. But those obstacles seem trivial compared to the hardships and challenges endured by three journalists from Los Angeles, Chicago and New York who decided to begin the process of changing their gender from male to female. How would you explain this to family, friends and co-workers? And how did these writers handle the transition while trying to maintain their jobs in the male-dominated world of sports? In this unique REAL SPORTS report, Bryant Gumbel explores the transgender stories of Mike Penner/Christine Daniels of the Los Angeles Times, Christina Kahrl of Baseball Prospectus and Bobbie Dittmeier of MLB.com, revealing the tragic consequences for one of them.

            Producer:  Joe Perskie.

            *Mike May.  Being blind since age three never stopped Mike May from achieving at the highest possible level. Defying expectations for more than 40 years, the Davis, Cal. resident was a world record-breaking and gold medal-winning Paralympic skier, CIA employee, entrepreneur, inventor and family man. But none of these accomplishments could have prepared him for his most recent endeavor. On March 7, 2000, May underwent experimental stem cell surgery in an effort to regain his sight. Incredibly, the surgery was successful, making him one of only a handful of people ever to have regained vision after nearly a lifetime of total blindness. In this powerful REAL SPORTS report, correspondent Frank Deford joins Mike May after his life-changing surgery to better understand the trying journey he’s undertaken as he deals with the world as he never saw it before.

            Producer:  Mike Sullivan.

            *Boby Duval.  On the heels of one of the most destructive earthquakes in modern history, REAL SPORTS returns to Haiti to update viewers on the inspiring work of Boby Duval. First profiled by REAL SPORTS in Aug. 2000, Duval is an upper-class Haitian educated in Canada who returned to his homeland to devote much of his time and money to helping those mired in poverty. One of his projects involved transforming an industrial dumping ground into a soccer field where disadvantaged children could come to play the game, receive meals and get a basic education. Now, just two months after the earthquake, correspondent Frank Deford finds that amid the rubble, Duval’s will is unshaken and his dream for Haiti’s youth lives on.

            Producers:  Ezra Edelman, Lauren Gaffney, Alvin Patrick.

            REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL has won the Sports Emmy^® for Outstanding Sports Journalism 12 of the last 14 years, in addition to being the first sports program honored with the duPont Award for excellence in broadcast journalism.

            The executive producers of REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; Kirby Bradley is senior producer.

ESPN Mobile TV is heading over to Sprint cell phones.

ESPN Mobile TV Launches on Sprint TV

ESPN and Sprint are teaming up to give Sprint customers the ultimate sports experience — in the palm of their hands — with ESPN Mobile TV available on Sprint TV^®.  Beginning today, ESPN Mobile TV will offer Sprint consumers unparalleled live sports programming and entertainment from ESPN via Sprint handheld devices. 

ESPN Mobile TV coverage during March and April will feature more than 100 live events and over 250 hours of coverage for Sprint customers with this new agreement beginning just in time for fans to watch the Big 12 and Big East Conference Championship basketball games on Sprint mobile devices.  Programming and live events through April include: 

• 23 Live Men’s NCAA Basketball Games (including Conference Championship games)
• 19 Live Women’s NCAA Basketball Championship Games
• 9 NBA Playoff Games
• 15 Regular Season NBA Games
• 30 Live NBA Fastbreak Shows
• 10 Regular Season MLB Games
• 50 Live Baseball Tonight Studio Shows
• 3 College Football Spring games
• 3 Live Friday Night Fights
• 3 Live NCAA Hockey Championship Games
• 5 Live MLS Matches

“Mobile has become an invaluable screen to the digital consumer,” said Matt Murphy, senior vice president, Digital Video Distribution, Disney and ESPN Media Networks.  “To super serve sports fans, you have to provide live coverage on the go, and we are excited to be working with Sprint to provide this offering to its customers.”

“We are very pleased to offer ESPN’s world-class sports news and entertainment video content,” said Len Barlik, Sprint’s vice president of wireless and wireline services.  “This collaboration is about giving great programming to our customers who are sports fans.  Sprint is committed to delivering the best mobile video experience, which will continue to be enhanced with the deployment of our Sprint 4G services.” 

More than 800 live events this year — including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, MLB, NBA, Grand Slam tennis, college football and basketball — will be available on the majority of Sprint’s device lineup, including the popular HTC Hero, Samsung Moment, Samsung Instinct, Palm Pre and Blackberry Curve. ESPN Mobile TV is part of the Sprint TV package, which is included as a part of Sprint’s Everything Data plans at no additional charge. With Sprint TV, customers get access to everything from news, weather, sports, children’s programs and comedy, including Disney Channel and ABC.

In addition to the 24/7 mobile sports television network, ESPN Mobile provides easy access to sports news, information, commentary, analysis, statistics and ring tones as well as streaming audio and video. 

NBC has flexed the Boston Bruins-New York Rangers game for next Sunday’s NHL Game of the Week.

BOSTON BRUINS HOST NEW YORK RANGERS ON NBC SPORTS’ “GAME OF THE WEEK” SUNDAY, MARCH 21, AT 12:30 P.M. ET

NEW YORK - Mar. 5, 2010 - The Sunday, March 21, New York Rangers at Boston Bruins game has been flexed as NBC Sports’ “Game of the Week” and will be played at TD Garden at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT, the National Hockey League and NBC Sports announced.   

In this pivotal game for each team’s quest to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas, Milan Lucic and the Bruins look to defend home ice against Marian Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Drury and the Rangers. 

On Sunday, April 4, playoff positions will again be on the line when the Red Wings visit the Philadelphia Flyers in the only meeting of the two teams this season. 

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING

At least 13 days prior to the scheduled game, one game is selected for broadcast on NBC. All NBC games will be broadcast on Sundays and all games will be presented in HD. Games not flexed to NBC will be available to the teams’ regional carriers and remain at the originally announced start time. The March 21 match-up was first announced on the Thursday, March 4, edition of “NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman” on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio airing from 6-7 p.m. ET. 

Starting tonight, ESPN begins some 89 consecutive hours of NCAA Tournament analysis on its various platforms.

ESPNU Tournament Countdown:  From Brackets Unveiled to Tip Off

89 Hours of Tournament Basketball Discussion

From Sunday, March 14, at 7 p.m. ET – right after the brackets are revealed for the Men’s Basketball Tournament – to tip off of the first game on Thursday, March 18, at noon, college sports network ESPNU will present 89 continuous hours of college basketball discussion, analysis, previews, interviews and more, including up to four first-round NIT games.

The hoops extravaganza will begin with Bracketology, a two-hour discussion of the brackets hosted by Rece Davis with Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis, Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale, examining which teams got in, the matchups and which teams fell just short. The show will be simulcast from ESPN and will be followed by the NIT Selection Show at 9 p.m.

Highlights:

• The Bracket:  a live two-hour studio show Monday, March 15 – Wednesday, March 17, at 6 p.m.  Scott Van Pelt will host, joined by a variety of ESPN college basketball analysts for hard-core discussion aimed at fans planning their brackets.  In addition, the show will lighten the mood with some fun surprises including brackets filled out by a variety of celebrities from sports and entertainment.  A special edition of The Bracket will air Thursday, March 18, at 10 a.m. with last-minute updates and news leading directly into the start of play at noon.
• The Bracket:  All Nighter:  a live three-hour studio show at midnight (9 p.m. PT) late Sunday, March 14, to Wednesday, March 17, with ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo and analysts Mike Kelly and Jay Williams leading a “late-night study session.”  All four shows will see the clock strike midnight in four time zones and include live reports from the ESPNU Road Trip crew from college campuses of tournament schools to capture the excitement and planning of college students.  In addition, Campus Connection student reporters will follow teams during preparations, from game film to student travel plans, giving the fans insights into what the tournament is like for those who play and those who cheer for them.
• The Experts:  a live studio show hosted by Kevin Connors on Sunday, March 14, at 9:30 p.m. (following the NIT Selection Show and simulcast on ESPN2 from 9 p.m. to midnight) and Monday, March 15, at 9 p.m. for three hours with the feel of eavesdropping on the conversation of two four-person panels of analysts.  Every half hour, the two groups will switch places, with one on the air while the other services ESPN’s digital and social networking platforms.  Analysts expected to participate include Stephen Bardo, Adrian Branch, Jimmy Dykes, LaPhonso Ellis, Len Elmore, Fran Fraschilla, Mark Gottfried, and Tim Welsh while Andy Katz provides insight to the reactions from coaches and players to their seeding and draw. 
• NCAA Women’s Tournament Selection Show: An additional exclusive hour on ESPNU on Monday, March 15 at 8 p.m. following ESPN’s announcements at 7 p.m. This show, hosted by Trey Wingo, Carolyn Peck and Kara Lawson with contributions from Doris Burke and Rebecca Lobo, takes more time to analyze the women’s bracket announcement and its impact on the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
• The Herd with Colin Cowherd:  the simulcast of the popular ESPN Radio program, seen weekdays on ESPNU from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., will air in its usual time slot Monday, March 15 – Wednesday, March 17, with extensive discussion and guest interviews related to the tournament.
• Coaches Spotlight: Katz Marathon – ESPN college basketball reporter Andy Katz will attempt to interview all 65 coaches in the NCAA Men’s Tournament in a four-hour show Monday, March 15 at 2 p.m.  Last year, in his first attempt, he spoke to 63 head coaches and one assistant.
• Coaches Spotlight:  NCAA Women’s Tournament:  a three-hour in-depth preview of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Tuesday, March 16 at 3 p.m. with Beth Mowins, Cara Capuano and Abby Waner, and a segment each from Carolyn Peck and Kara Lawson.
• NCAA Press Conferences:  press conferences with coaches and players in Thursday’s games will be aired live Wednesday, March 17, from 2 – 6 p.m.
• NIT First-Round Action: up to four live games will be televised Tuesday, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., subject to change.

ESPNU Tournament Countdown – Highlights

Date	Time (ET)	Program
Sun, March 14	7 p.m.	Bracketology
	9 p.m.	NIT Selection Show
	9:30 p.m.	The Experts
	Midnight – 3 a.m.	The Bracket:  All Nighter
Mon, March 15	10 a.m.	The Herd with Colin Cowherd
	2 p.m.	Coach’s Spotlight: Katz Marathon
	6 p.m.	The Bracket
	8 p.m.	NCAA Women’s Tournament Selection Show
	9 p.m.	The Experts
	Midnight – 3 a.m.	The Bracket:  All Nighter
Tue, March 16	10 a.m.	The Herd with Colin Cowherd
	3 p.m.	Coach’s Spotlight: NCAA Women’s Tournament
	6 p.m.	The Bracket
	8 p.m.	NIT First Round Game
	10 p.m.	NIT First Round Game
	Midnight	The Bracket:  All Nighter
Wed, March 17	10 a.m.	The Herd with Colin Cowherd
	2 p.m.	NCAA Press Conferences
	6 p.m.	The Bracket
	8 p.m.	NIT First Round Game
	10 p.m.	NIT First Round Game
	Midnight	The Bracket:  All Nighter
Thurs, March 18	10 a.m.	The Bracket

And that does it for now.

Wednesday’s Stuff

I have too many things to do. I’ve been traveling between two offices again and I also had to yell at my employees. But the main thing is that I’m providing links now. Here we go.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says CBS decides the tip times and what regions watch which NCAA Tournament games.

Neil Best of Newsday has the NCAA Tournament schedule for WCBS TV on Thursday and Friday. Neil says President Obama filled out his bracket on ESPN.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that ESPN’s Jay Bilas likes Siena’s chances against Ohio State.

Jim Williams of the DC Examiner looks at the Presidential NCAA Tournament bracket.

Ian R. Rapoport of the Birmingham (AL) News says former ‘Bama basketball coach Mark Gottfried will be on TV doing analysis for the Duquense-Virginia Tech NIT game tonight.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News feels the Cowboys’ season opener at their new stadium might be bigger than a Sunday Night game. Barry says the MLB Network will showcase the Texas Rangers today. Barry also has the NCAA Tournament TV schedule for the Metroplex for the first round.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says the battle between Comcast and the NFL Network is heating up again.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the NCAA Tournament TV schedule for SoCal.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times enjoyed watching TV on Tuesday.

The Sports Media Watch has the sports TV ratings from the weekend.

Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media says maybe it was a bad idea for the Milwaukee Bucks’ Charlie Villanueva to Tweet during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Celtics.

Levi Buchanan of IGN.com says ESPN will have a live streaming video app when the iPhone upgrades its operating system.

That’s all I can do for now as I keep getting interrupted at the home office. I’ll provide more links later. I also have some news to break for you. Keep your RSS feeds updated.