NBA ON ESPN, ABC & ESPN Radio
College Hoops – Rivalry Week, Big 10 Record, Play 4Kay – plus Caribbean World Series & More
- Men’s College Hoops: Rivalry Week Tips Off with Three Games between Ranked Teams, plus No. 4 Duke-North Carolina
- Indiana-Michigan – ESPN’s Most-Viewed Big Ten Men’s College Basketball Telecast Ever
- North Carolina Women’s Basketball Game Added to Thursday’s ESPN3 Schedule; Play 4Kay on February 17-18
- The 2013 Caribbean World Series Continues on ESPN Deportes
- 2013 College Lacrosse Season Starts Friday at Johns Hopkins
- Turning Up the Volume: LeBron James and Dr. Dre Rock the Cover of ESPN The Magazine’s First-Ever Music Issue on Newsstands Friday
- PBA Tour and PBA League Action Resume on ESPN with Carmen Salvino Classic
- Black History Month on ESPN.com
- NASCAR Now Special from NASCAR Hall of Fame Airs Friday
- espnW.com: The Cold List Fuels Winter Training, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Black History Vignettes
- Undefeated Welterweight Bizier Meets Former Lightweight Champion Campbell on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights; ESPN2 Presents Encore Telecast of Pacquiao-Marquez 4 Preceding Friday’s Show
- Six-time Pro Bowl Center Jeff Saturday Visits ESPN on Monday and Tuesday
Friday NBA Doubleheader on ESPN: Clippers-Heat, Bulls-Jazz; Sunday Doubleheader on ABC
contacts: ben.cafardo@espn.com and kristen.m.hudak@espn.com
Friday’s doubleheader on ESPN begins with the Los Angeles Clippers and All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin – visiting the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat and All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at 8 p.m. ET. In the nightcap, the Utah Jazz and Al Jefferson will host the Chicago Bulls and All-Stars Joakim Noah and Luol Deng 10:30 p.m. KIA NBA Countdown will preview the games at 7:30 p.m. with NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Bill Simmons and Michael Wilbon.
NBA Countdown and ESPN games are available on computers, tablets and smartphones through WatchESPN.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, Feb 8 | 7:30 p.m. | KIA NBA Countdown Magic Johnson, Bill Simmons, Michael Wilbon |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
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8 p.m. | Los Angeles Clippers at Miami Heat Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
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10:30 p.m. | Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz Mark Jones, Jon Barry |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
ABC will also broadcast an All-Star-studded doubleheader as part of its NBA Sunday Showcase on February 10, when the New York Knicks and All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler host the Los Angeles Clippers and All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The game tips off at 1 p.m. ET with Mike Tirico – calling his first of two Sunday NBA games – providing commentary with analyst Hubie Brown and reporter Doris Burke. In the second game, the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat hosts the Los Angeles Lakers and All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard at 3:30 p.m. Mike Breen has the call with analyst Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Lisa Salters. KIA NBA Countdown will preview the doubleheader at 12:30 p.m.
Additionally, ESPN will televise a Sunday prime-time game as the San Antonio Spurs – owners of the NBA’s best record — visit the Brooklyn Nets and All Star Brook Lopez at 8 p.m. Tirico will call his second game of the day in New York, where he will be joined by analyst Jon Barry.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Sun, Feb 10 |
12:30 p.m. | KIA NBA Countdown Magic Johnson, Bill Simmons, Michael Wilbon |
ABC |
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1 p.m. | NBA Sunday Showcase: Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox |
ABC |
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3:30 p.m. | NBA Sunday Showcase: Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters |
ABC |
| 8 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs at Brooklyn Nets Mike Tirico, Jon Barry |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
In addition, The NBA on ESPN Radio will feature a trio of tilts in the coming days when the Lakers and Clippers leave Los Angeles to challenge Boston, New York and Miami.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game / Commentators |
| Thu, Feb 7 | 7 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics Kevin Calabro & Dr. Jack Ramsay |
| Sun, Feb 10 | Noon | Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks Marc Kestecher & Chris Mullin |
| Following Game #1 | Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat Kevin Calabro & Dr. Jack Ramsay |
Men’s College Hoops: Rivalry Week Tips Off with Three Games between Ranked Teams, plus No. 4 Duke-North Carolina
contact: michael.c.humes@espn.com
Rivalry Week Presented by Wendy’s – top rivalries in men’s college basketball from February 11-18 – will tip off with an ESPN doubleheader featuring ranked teams Monday, Feb. 11. Big Monday Presented by Bud Light will begin at 7 p.m. with No. 24 Marquette at No. 20 Georgetown followed by No. 13 Kansas State at No. 5 Kansas at 9 p.m.
Additional highlights:
- A Super Tuesday ESPN doubleheader pitting No. 2 Florida against Kentucky at 7 p.m. followed by No. 3 Michigan at No. 12 Michigan State at 9 p.m.
- The Wednesday Night Hoops Presented by Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups will include several of the sport’s great rivalries highlighted by No. 9 Syracuse at Connecticut at 7 p.m. and North Carolina at No. 4 Duke at 9 p.m., both on ESPN.
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 schedule through February 13
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup/Commentators | Network |
| Mon, Feb 11 | 7 p.m. | No. 24 Marquette at No. 20 Georgetown Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas & Bill Raftery |
ESPN |
| 7 p.m. | TCU at Oklahoma Dave Armstrong & Stephen Bardo |
ESPNU | |
| 9 p.m. | No. 13 Kansas State at No. 5 Kansas Brent Musburger, Fran Fraschilla & Holly Rowe |
ESPN | |
| 9 p.m. | Alcorn State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Anthony Calhoun & Stephen Howard |
ESPNU | |
| Tue, Feb 12 | 7 p.m. | Kentucky at No. 2 Florida Brad Nessler, Dick Vitale & Shannon Spake |
ESPN |
| 7 p.m. | Seton Hall at Rutgers John Saunders & Dereck Whittenburg |
ESPN2 | |
| 7 p.m. | Virginia Tech at Virginia Tom Hart & Len Elmore |
ESPNU | |
| 7 p.m. | Cleveland State at Detroit | ESPN3 | |
| 7 p.m. | Boston University at Vermont Eric Frede & Frank Sullivan |
ESPN3 | |
| 8 p.m. | Villanova at No. 17 Cincinnati Jim Barbar & Bob Wenzel |
ESPN3 * & BIG EAST Network | |
| 9 p.m. | No. 3 Michigan at No. 12 Michigan State Mike Tirico, Dan Dakich & Samantha Ponder |
ESPN | |
| 9 p.m. | Alabama at Georgia Dari Nowkhah & Dino Gaudio |
ESPNU | |
| Wed, Feb 13 | 7 p.m. | No. 9 Syracuse at Connecticut Brent Musburger, Bob Knight & Andy Katz |
ESPN |
| 7 p.m. | No. 8 Miami at Florida State Dave O’Brien & Doris Burke |
ESPN2 | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 22 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech Mitch Holthus & Matt Doherty |
ESPNU | |
| 7 p.m. | DePaul at No. 25 Notre Dame Jim Barbar & Brooke Weisbrod |
ESPN3 * & RSN | |
| 7 p.m. | Wake Forest at Boston College | ESPN3 * & RSN ^ | |
| 7 p.m. | Ole Miss at Texas A&M Matt Stewart & Stephen Howard |
ESPN3 * & CSS | |
| 8 p.m. | Iowa State at Texas Dave Armstrong, Reid Gettys & Kaylee Hartung |
ESPN3 * & Big 12 Network | |
| 8 p.m. | Tennessee at Vanderbilt Clay Matvick & Barry Booker |
ESPN3 & SEC Network | |
| 8 p.m. | No. 21 Missouri at Mississippi State Dave Neal & Kyle Macy |
ESPN3 & SEC Network | |
| 9 p.m. | North Carolina at No. 4 Duke Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale, Jay Bilas & Jeannine Edwards |
ESPN, ESPN3 & ACC Network | |
| 9 p.m. | West Virginia at Baylor Bob Wischusen & Stephen Bardo |
ESPN2 | |
| 9 p.m. | Providence at South Florida Adam Amin & Tim Welsh |
ESPNU | |
| 9 p.m. | Arkansas at Auburn Dave Baker & Daymeon Fishback |
ESPN3 * & CSS | |
| 11 p.m. | No. 19 Oregon at Washington Dave Pasch & Bill Walton |
ESPN2 | |
| 11 p.m. | Cal State Fullerton at Long Beach State Rich Cellini & Danny Schayes |
ESPNU |
* Local blackout may apply
Indiana-Michigan – ESPN’s Most-Viewed Big Ten Men’s College Basketball Telecast Ever
contact: michael.c.humes@espn.com
ESPN’s telecast of then-No. 3 Indiana defeating then-No. 1 Michigan 81-73 on Saturday, Feb. 2, averaged 4,035,000 viewers, making it the network’s most-viewed telecast of a Big Ten Conference game ever. The game – with a 2.9 coverage rating and 2,867,000 households – is also ESPN’s highest-rated and most-viewed regular-season men’s college basketball game since No. 6 North Carolina beat No. 3 Duke on March 3, 2012 (3.1 coverage rating and 4,247,000 viewers).
Indianapolis was the top-rated market with a 22.5 metered market rating followed by Louisville (15.6), Detroit (9.7), Dayton (7.5) and Columbus (7.0).
North Carolina Women’s Basketball Game Added to Thursday’s ESPN3 Schedule; Play 4Kay on February 17-18
contact: rachel.l.margolis@espn.com
North Carolina’s Sylvia Hatchell will be looking for her 900th career win as a women’s basketball head coach against Boston College on Thursday, Feb. 7. The game will be shown exclusively on ESPN3 at 7 p.m. from Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Eric Frede and Steffi Sorensen will have the call of the game. If UNC wins, ESPN3 will provide coverage of the postgame press conference..
Hatchell enters Thursday’s game with a career record of 899-317 in 38 seasons. Legends Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt are the only two coaches in women’s basketball history have reached this milestone – with both Hatchell and Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer (897 wins) on pace to hit the mark in 2013. Full Week Schedule
The following weekend, ESPN will show 12 games across ESPN2 and ESPNU on Sunday, Feb. 17, and Monday, Feb. 18, as part of the Play 4Kay women’s basketball initiative – in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation. The two-day event – now in its seventh year and involving more teams than ever – will showcase 12 ranked teams and 18 State Farm Wade Trophy hopefuls, including Brittney Griner (Baylor) and Skylar Diggins (Notre Dame). Full Release
The 2013 Caribbean World Series Continues on ESPN Deportes
Contact: Gabriela.nunez@espn.com
The Caribbean Series continues on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+ with two more games tonight, Wed., Feb. 6, and the final tomorrow, February 7, at 9 p.m. With yesterday’s results, the Dominican Republic secured its spot in the Championship game, and tonight’s games will give Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico a last chance to make the final.
The Caribbean Series is the most important baseball tournament in Latin America. The league winners from the Winter Leagues of Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela participate in the tournament. The tournament is hosted annually at each country every fourth year and is normally played in February after all the leagues have ended their national tournaments. This is the seventh consecutive year that ESPN Deportes has covered the event.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game / Event |
| Wed, Feb 6 | 6 p.m. | Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela |
| 9:30 p.m. | Puerto Rico vs. Mexico | |
| Thu, Feb. 7 | 9 p.m. | First Place (Dominican Republic) vs. Second Place (TBD) |
| 12:30 a.m. | Closing Ceremonies |
2013 College Lacrosse Season Starts Friday at Johns Hopkins
contact: rachel.l.margolis@espn.com
ESPN’s 2013 college lacrosse season begins Friday, Feb. 8, with a schedule that includes a minimum of 55 total games (48 men’s and seven women’s, 44 of which are regular-season contests) – including the crowning of the ACC, BIG EAST, America East and Ivy League tournament champions.
The No. 5 Johns Hopkins men’s team will face-off at home against Siena on Friday, at 5 p.m. on ESPNU. The No. 5 Florida women will travel to No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday for a noon start on ESPN3. Full Season Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game / Commentators | Networks |
| Fri, Feb 8 | 5 p.m. | Siena at No. 5 Johns Hopkins Eamon McAnaney & Jamie Munro |
ESPNU / WatchESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 9 | Noon | No. 5 Florida at No. 3 North Carolina | ESPN3 |
Turning Up the Volume: LeBron James and Dr. Dre Rock the Cover of ESPN The Magazine’s First-Ever Music Issue on Newsstands Friday
contact: carrie.b.kreiswirth@espn.com
In 1992 Michael Jackson asked Michael Jordan if they could try on each other’s shoes for his “Jam” video. The problem was, the King of Pop couldn’t ball, His Airness couldn’t dance and both looked ridiculous for trying, setting back jock-musician relations for the next decade. But all is forgiven now. Just in time for the Grammys, ESPN The Magazine introduces its first-ever “Music Issue,” examining the new blueprint that rules the converging worlds of sports and entertainment.
Hitting newsstands Friday, Feb. 8, LeBron James and Dr. Dre grace the cover of the current issue, while in the accompanying feature, “Speakerheads,” J. Freedom du Lac traces the phenomenon that is Beats By Dr. Dre — the duo’s burgeoning headphone brand rocked by athletes ranging from Michael Phelps and Cam Newton to King James himself.
The “Music Issue” also features “Cover Acts,” where The Mag asked 14 noteworthy athletes including Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Lochte, Alex Morgan, Josh Freeman and others to recreate some of the most iconic album covers of all time. Throughout the issue and online at www.espn.com/musicissue, those same athletes and artists — along with a few other online exclusive stars — share the playlists that make them want to turn up the volume and get moving. Fans can also listen to these playlists at www.espn.com/sounds, which will be updated regularly throughout the issue’s run.
Also in the “Music Issue”: “The Crossover to End All Crossovers,” an in-depth examination of how LeBron and Jay-Z used their swagger to become cultural icons; “Game Love,” chronicling Mackelmore’s surprising rise; and “Bass Baller,” where Kenny Mayne sits down with Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament, who jams on hoops and Justin Bieber.
For additional content found in The Mag’s debut Music Issue: http://es.pn/12qlyIS
PBA Tour and PBA League Action Resume on ESPN with Carmen Salvino Classic
contact: tara.c.chozet@espn.com
The PBA Tour and PBA League resume on ESPN with the finals of the Carmen Salvino Classic and the second round of the PBA League on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. Lon McEachern and PBA Hall of Famer Randy Petersenprovide commentary and analysis on-site from Thunderbowl Lanes in suburban Detroit. Colombian Andres Gomez will be hoping to defend his title against American D.J. Archer in the Salvino Tour final.
The PBA League Salvino round competition will begin with a Clash eliminator contest featuring four representatives from the L.A. X, three from the Silver Lake Atom Splitters, two from the BROOKLYN STyLES, and one each from the Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits and Dallas Strikers. The player who wins the Clash round will advance his team into the Salvino stepladder finals to meet owner Billie Jean King’s New York City WTT KingPins (John Szczerbinski, Jack Jurek, Tommy Jones, Pete Weber, Scott Norton) in the opening match. The KingPins qualified third for the Baker format stepladder finals. The quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches follow.
The PBA League is a new team-style tournament format that debuted this year. The concept incorporates teams owned by Hollywood and sports celebrities and captained by PBA Tour stars. Viewers can follow the PBA on ESPN on Twitter with the hashtags #LoveTheLanes and #PBALeague.
PBA Tour and PBA League on ESPN Telecast Schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Event | Network |
| Sun, Feb 10 | 1 p.m. | PBA League – Round 2 with Carmen Salvino Classic Finals | ESPN |
| Sun, Feb 17 | 3 p.m. | PBA League – Round 3 with Mark Roth Classic Finals | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar 3 | 3 p.m. | PBA League – Round 4 with Don Carter Classic Finals | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar 24 | 1 p.m. | PBA League – Round 5 with Earl Anthony Players Championship Finals | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr 7 | 1 p.m. | PBA League – Elias Cup Finals | ESPN |
Black History Month on ESPN.com
contacts: kimberly.jarvis@espn.com or kristie.chong@espn.com
This year’s Black History Month “Topics” page on ESPN.com includes relevant content surrounding the accomplishment of African-American athletes on and off the playing field. In addition to video archives and a “Fact of the Day” section, the page also maintains a “Rank ’Em” area where fans can vote on: best black quarterbacks of all time, most memorable moment in black sports history and the best Historically Black College and University (HBCU) athlete. Additional Black History Month programming is also available on ESPNU (Sundays at 10 p.m.) and ESPN Classic (more than 150 hours of content).
NASCAR Now Special from NASCAR Hall of Fame Airs Friday
contact: andy.hall@espn.com
ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now returns for its seventh season Friday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. with a special program originating from the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. The fourth class of five NASCAR legends will be inducted into the Hall that night, including ESPN analyst and 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace. Allen Bestwick will host the program, joined by analysts Dale Jarrett and Ray Evernham. NASCAR Now will resume its daily schedule Monday, Feb. 11.
espnW.com: The Cold List Fuels Winter Training, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Black History Vignettes
contact: Amanda.decastro@espn.com
espnW continues its motivational campaign, the Cold List, (#ColdList) encouraging women to achieve their personal fitness goals through the use of shareable tiles on espnW.com. The visual inspiration program consists of 43 images designed to fuel women’s winter training, provide encouragement and connect them with others who share similar goals across several social media platforms. Other highlights include contributor Melissa Isaacson’s look at Chicago-based nonprofit Girls in the Game, softball clinics in Nicaragua, and the 27th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. In addition, beginning Thursday, Feb. 7, espnW.com will roll out seven Black History vignettes, voiced by Cari Champion, that highlight some of the most popular black women in sports.
Undefeated Welterweight Bizier Meets Former Lightweight Champion Campbell on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights; ESPN2 Presents Encore Telecast of Pacquiao-Marquez 4 Preceding Friday’s Show
Contacts: stephen.mcdonald@espn.com and gabriela.nunez@espn.com
The February 8 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extrawill feature undefeated Welterweight Kevin Bizier (19-0, 13 KOs) and former Lightweight world champion Nate Campbell (36-9-1, 1 NC, 26 KOs) in the 12-round main event. Friday’s show from Montreal will air live at 9 p.m. on ESPN2, and will be available online through WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app. The card will also air live on ESPN Deportes+, the new digital extension of ESPN Deportes, and will air tape delayed on ESPN Deportes at 10:30 p.m. The card is promoted by GYM.
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Bell Centre describing the action for ESPN2. Studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present the latest boxing news and interview ESPN Deportes’ Delvin Rodriguez (26-6-3, 14 KOs) to discuss Rodriguez’s upcoming fight with George Tahdooahnippah (31-0-1, 23 KOs). That fight will be televised February 15, at 9 p.m. on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Alex Pombo and Rodriguez will call this week’s fights for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.
ESPN2 will also present an encore telecast of Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez 4 at 8 p.m. leading up to Friday Night Fights. December’s HBO Pay-Per-View fight, which ended in a Marquez sixth-round KO of Pacquiao, was named ESPN.com’s 2012 “Fight of the Year” and “Knockout of the Year.” The fight was recently named 2012 “Fight of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Read more
Six-time Pro Bowl Center Jeff Saturday Visits ESPN on Monday and Tuesday
contact: allison.r.stoneberg@espn.com
Jeff Saturday, the recently retired Green Bay Packers center who played in six Pro Bowls, will visit ESPN on Monday, Feb. 11, and Tuesday, Feb. 12, as a guest analyst. The 13-year NFL veteran played most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, where he was a teammate of Peyton Manning and won a Super Bowl. Saturday will appear on SportsCenter and ESPN NFL shows during his two-day visit. His anticipated schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Show | Network |
| Mon, Feb 11 | 4 p.m. | NFL Live | ESPN |
| 5 p.m. | NFL32 | ESPN2 | |
| Tue, Feb 12 | 12 p.m. | SportsCenter | ESPN |
| 4 p.m. | NFL Live | ESPN |
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