ESPN networks to broadcast 12 BYU games in 2015-16

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - As part of their long-term relationship, the West Coast Conference has announced that a minimum of 35 men's basketball games involving WCC schools will air nationally on an ESPN network this season, including additional exposure during the 2016 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship in Las Vegas.

The Cougars will have 12 games televised on an ESPN network during the 2015-16 season, second only to Gonzaga’s 13. BYU’s ESPN games include the Nov. 16 game at Long Beach State that is part of the ESPN Tip-Off Marathon, three games at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and eight conference games. Last season, BYU appeared on an ESPN network 16 times, including 13 games in the regular season and three times during the WCC tournament.

The West Coast Conference will once again be a part of ESPN’s Thursday night and Saturday coverage. In all, 17 conference games will be showcased on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU in 2015-16. West Coast Conference basketball will be featured on ESPN’s popular Championship Week coverage in 2016, with five live telecasts from Las Vegas: two quarterfinal games (Saturday, March 5, ESPN2), the WCC semifinals (Monday, March 7, ESPN and ESPN2) and the championship game on Tuesday, March 8 (ESPN).

The West Coast Conference's national telecast package is highlighted by a pair of clashes between BYU and Gonzaga – the teams that met for the second-straight year in the WCC championship game before advancing to the NCAA tournament. In addition, both teams will face conference foes Pepperdine, Portland and Saint Mary’s in nationally-televised showdowns. 

After reaching postseason play in 2014-15, both Pepperdine and Portland will enjoy more exposure on ESPN networks during WCC play. The Waves will appear five times, while the Pilots will compete in four nationally televised events.

In addition to the conference games, ESPN will televise 12 non-conference games that are a part of the West Coast Conference's national television package – including one WCC team participating in the popular College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon. BYU (Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic), Gonzaga (Armed Forces Classic) and Santa Clara (Wooden Legacy) will also participate in holiday events on an ESPN network. 

Additional WCC non-conference road games on ESPN networks will be announced at a later date.

As the season approaches, check the interactive schedule on WCCsports.com or follow West Coast Conference Basketball on Twitter (@WCChoops) for additional non-conference telecasts along with local and regional telecast information from the conference and its member institutions.

The complete West Coast Conference on ESPN schedule follows.

WEST COAST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL ON ESPN NETWORKS

Friday, November 13
Gonzaga vs. Pittsburgh, 4 p.m. – Armed Forces Classic (ESPN)

Monday, November 16
BYU at Long Beach State, 10:45 p.m. – Tip-Off Marathon (ESPN2)

Sunday, November 22
Stanford at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Thursday, November 26
Santa Clara vs. Arizona, 8:30 p.m. – Wooden Legacy (ESPN2)

Friday, November 27
Santa Clara vs. TBD, TBA – Wooden Legacy (ESPN networks)

Sunday, November 29
Santa Clara vs. TBD, TBA – Wooden Legacy (ESPN networks)

Saturday, December 5
Arizona at Gonzaga, 12:15 p.m. – (ESPN)

Saturday, December 12
UCLA at Gonzaga, 7 p.m. – (ESPN2)

Saturday, December 19
Tennessee vs. Gonzaga, 8 p.m. – Battle in Seattle (ESPNU)

Monday, December 21
*Pepperdine at Gonzaga, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)

Tuesday, December 22
BYU vs. Harvard, 2 p.m. – Diamond Head Classic (ESPNU)

Wednesday, December 23
*Pepperdine at Portland, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
BYU vs. TBD, TBA – Diamond Head Classic (ESPN Networks)

Friday, December 25
BYU vs. TBD, TBA – Diamond Head Classic (ESPN Networks)

Thursday, December 31
*BYU at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, January 2
*Gonzaga at San Francisco, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Thursday, January 7
*Santa Clara at BYU, 9 p.m. MT (ESPNU)

Thursday, January 14
*BYU at Gonzaga, 6 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
*Pacific at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Thursday, January 21
*Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Thursday, January 28
*LMU at BYU, 9 p.m. MT (ESPNU)

Saturday, January 30
*Pepperdine at BYU, 8 p.m. MT (ESPN2)

Thursday, February 4
*Portland at Pepperdine, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, February 6
*Gonzaga at Pepperdine, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Thursday, February 11
*Gonzaga at Portland, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, February 13
Gonzaga at SMU, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Thursday, February 18
*BYU at San Diego, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, February 20
*Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Thursday, February 25
*Portland at BYU, 9 p.m. MT (ESPNU)

Saturday, February 27
*Gonzaga at BYU, TBD (ESPN or ESPN2)

Saturday, March 5
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Quarterfinals, 7 p.m. / 9 p.m. (both games on ESPN2)

Monday, March 7
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Semifinal 1, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Semifinal 2, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Tuesday, March 8
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Final, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)

*Denotes West Coast Conference game

All times are Pacific, unless noted, and are subject to change. View the most current interactive schedule on WCCsports.com.