WCC announces 2018-19 ESPN Networks men's basketball telecast schedule

BYU to appear on ESPN Networks eight times during the 2018-19 regular season

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – As part of its long-term relationship, the West Coast Conference has announced that at least 29 men's basketball games involving WCC schools will air nationally on ESPN Networks this season, including additional exposure during the 2019 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship in Las Vegas. 

The West Coast Conference will once again be a featured part of ESPN’s Thursday night and Saturday coverage. In all, 17 games will be showcased on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU during the 2018 conference campaign. West Coast Conference basketball will be featured on ESPN’s popular Championship Week coverage once again in 2019, with five live telecasts from Las Vegas: two quarterfinal games (Saturday, March 9, ESPN2), the WCC semifinals (Monday, March 11, ESPN or ESPN2) and the championship game on Tuesday, March 12 (ESPN).

The West Coast Conference's national telecast package is highlighted by a pair of clashes between defending regular season and tournament champion Gonzaga and 2018 tournament runner-up BYU. Both teams will also play perennial power Saint Mary’s twice on the ESPN Networks. Gonzaga will make 14 total ESPN appearances, nine during conference play; Saint Mary’s will play 10 times in all with six games during WCC play, while the Cougars earned eight regular season exposures, seven coming during conference action.

All games aired on an ESPN network will also be available through the ESPN app, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

Three WCC teams enter the 2018-19 season with a top-60 ranking in the ESPN Preseason BPI poll, led by defending regular season and conference champion Gonzaga (No. 2), BYU (No. 32) and Saint Mary’s (No. 54). After advancing to four consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 berths, the Bulldogs are generating Final Four buzz in multiple publications. The Cougars and the Gaels (quarterfinals) both advanced to the NIT last season.

All told five WCC programs earned postseason berths in 2017-18. San Francisco advanced to the finals of the CBI, while San Diego made a run to the quarterfinals of the CIT.

This marks the debut of the modified WCC men’s basketball schedule. The 16-game schedule is the result of changes adopted by the WCC Presidents’ Council as part of the Conference’s Men’s Basketball Enhancement Plan.

These schedule initiatives demonstrate the league-wide commitment by West Coast Conference Presidents and Athletic Directors to adopt an innovative approach to advance men’s basketball on the national stage.

In addition to the conference games, ESPN will televise at least 12 non-conference games featured as part of the West Coast Conference's national television package.

Gonzaga plays in the prestigious Maui Jim Maui Invitational, November 19-21. The Zags won the event in 2009 and open against 2012 winner Illinois in the quarterfinals. Saint Mary’s plays in the MGM Main Event (November 19 & 21) and returns to Las Vegas to compete in the Neon Hoops Showcase. The Gaels take on LSU in the nightcap preceded by BYU vs. former conference rival UNLV in the opener Saturday, December 15. Both tournaments will be played in T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip.

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.

2018-19 WEST COAST CONFERENCE BASKETBALL ON ESPN NETWORKS
Last updated: September 9, 2018

Friday, November 9
Pacific at Nevada, TBA (ESPN3)

Thursday, November 15
Texas A&M at Gonzaga, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Monday, November 19
Gonzaga vs. Illinois, TBA – Maui Invitational (ESPN2)
Saint Mary’s vs. Utah State, TBA – MGM Main Event (ESPN Networks)

Tuesday, November 20
Gonzaga vs. TBA, TBA – Maui Invitational (ESPN Networks)
Colorado at San Diego, 7:00 p.m. (ESPNU)

Wednesday, November 21
Gonzaga vs. TBA, TBA – Maui Invitational (ESPN Networks)
Saint Mary’s vs. TBA, TBA – MGM Main Event (ESPN Networks)

Saturday, December 1
California at Saint Mary’s, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

Wednesday, December 5
Washington at Gonzaga, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday, December 15
BYU vs. UNLV, 5:30 p.m. – Neon Hoops Showcase (ESPN Networks)
Saint Mary’s vs. LSU, 7:30 p.m. – Neon Hoops Showcase (ESPN2)

Thursday, January 3
BYU at Pacific, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Saint Mary’s at San Francisco, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Saturday, January 5
BYU at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Thursday, January 10
Pacific at Gonzaga, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Saturday, January 12
Gonzaga at San Francisco, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Thursday, January 17
BYU at Pepperdine, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Thursday, January 24
Saint Mary’s at BYU, 9 p.m. MT (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Thursday, January 31
Gonzaga at BYU, 9 p.m. MT (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Thursday, February 7
BYU at Portland, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Pacific at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Saturday, February 9
Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga, 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)

Thursday, February 14
Saint Mary’s at Santa Clara, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Saturday, February 16
Gonzaga at San Diego, 7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)

Saturday, February 23
BYU at Gonzaga, 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)

Thursday, February 28
Gonzaga at Pacific, 8 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)

Saturday, March 2
Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s, TBA (ESPN or ESPN2)

Saturday, March 9
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Quarterfinal 1, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Quarterfinal 2, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Monday, March 11
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Semifinal 1, 6 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Semifinal 2, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)

Tuesday, March 12
West Coast Conference Basketball Championship Final, 6 p.m. (ESPN)

*All times Pacific unless noted