AUSTRALIAN OPEN UNDERWAY
NBA, COLLEGE HOOPS, MEL KIPER TALKS DRAFT & MORE
- NBA Doubleheader: Showdown Deep in the Heart of Texas; Star-Studded Heat Visit Warriors
- Celtics’ Rondo Stars in Latest This is SportsCenter Spot
- College GameDay Covered by State Farm Heads to Butler for First Road Trip of the Season
- Full Slate of Women’s College Basketball Games on ESPN3
- Men’s College Hoops: Five Matchups between Ranked Teams Highlighted by No. 6 Syracuse at No. 1 Louisville
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Put Their Fundraising Skills to Work in the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge
- ESPN Conference Call with NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
- London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins Visits ESPN This Week
- SportsCenter to Present Live the First Pick of 2013 MLS SuperDraft
- espnW.com: Women’s College Hoops Player of the Week and Weekly Wrap, and Venus Williams’ Return
Australian Open Underway on ESPN2, ESPN3
contact: dave.nagle@espn.com
Tennis’ first major of 2013 – the Australian Open presented by Franklin Templeton Investments – is underway with more than 100 live hours on ESPN2 and 600+ on ESPN3. Daily action includes marathon sessions each night and afternoon reairs totaling more than 50 additional hours. Live telecasts continue through the women’s championship Saturday, Jan 26, and the men’s championship Sunday, Jan. 27, both at 3 a.m. with reairs later each day at 9 a.m. and in prime time. The telecasts – plus other courts on ESPN3 – are available through WatchESPN online at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app. Expanded digital coverage on ESPN3 includes the option for users to choose among action on seven courts with all matches available on-demand after completion.
This week’s schedule (For these charts, all times are Eastern, and each day “begins” at 6 a.m. ET. Therefore, the listing Sun., Jan. 20, at 3:30 a.m. ET is actually very late on Sunday night.)
| Date | Time (ET) | Event | |
| Mon, Jan 14 | 2 – 5 p.m. | Early Round Action | Same-day |
| 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. | “ | LIVE | |
| Tue, Jan 15 | 2 – 5 p.m. | “ | Same-day |
| 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. | “ | LIVE | |
| Wed, Jan 16 | 2 – 5 p.m. | “ | Same-day |
| 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. | “ | LIVE | |
| Thur, Jan 17 | 2 – 5 p.m. | “ | Same-day |
| 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. | “ | LIVE | |
| Fri, Jan 18 | 2 – 5 p.m. | “ | Same-day |
| 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. | “ | LIVE | |
| Sat, Jan 19 | 7 – 9:55 a.m. | “ | Same-day |
| 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Round of 16 | LIVE | |
| 3 – 7 a.m. | “ | LIVE | |
| Sun, Jan 20 | 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. | “ | LIVE |
| 3:30 – 6 a.m. | “ | LIVE |
NBA Doubleheader: Showdown Deep in the Heart of Texas; Star-Studded Heat Visit Warriors
contact: ben.cafardo@espn.com and kristen.m.hudak@espn.com
ESPN will present two NBA doubleheaders this week, beginning Wednesday, Jan 16, with a Texas showdown between Houston Rockets with Jeremy Lin and the Dallas Mavericks with Dirk Nowitzki at 8 p.m. Mike Breen will handle the call with analyst Hubie Brown and reporter Lisa Salters.
In the nightcap, the Miami Heat – led by superstars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade – face the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson at 10:30 p.m. Dave Pasch will call the game with analyst Jon Barry.
KIA NBA Countdown with Magic Johnson, Michael Wilbon and Jalen Rose precedes the doubleheader at 7:30 p.m. Both games and KIA NBA Countdown are available on computers, smartphones and tablets via WatchESPN.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game / Commentators | Network |
| Wed, Jan 16 | 7:30 p.m. | KIA NBA Countdown Magic Johnson, Michael Wilbon, Jalen Rose |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
| 8 p.m. | Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks Presented by State Farm Mike Breen, Hubie Brown, Lisa Salters |
ESPN / WatchESPN | |
| 10:30 p.m. | Miami Heat at Golden State Warriors Presented by State Farm Dave Pasch, Jon Barry |
ESPN / WatchESPN | |
| Fri, Jan 18 | 7 p.m. | Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics Presented by State Farm Mike Breen, Hubie Brown, Chris Broussard |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
| 9:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks Presented by State Farm Dave Pasch, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters |
ESPN / WatchESPN |
Celtics’ Rondo Stars in Latest This is SportsCenter Spot
contact: amy.phillips@espn.com or ben.cafardo@espn.com
ESPN’s latest This is SportsCenter spot launches Monday, Jan. 14, starring Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. In the spot, SportsCenter’s Steve Levy advises fellow anchor John Anderson not to look directly at Rondo’s larger-than-life hands, which according to ESPN Sport Science measure 9.5 inches long. The spot also stars SportsCenter’s Sage Steele and “Wildcat,” the mascot of Rondo’s alma mater, the University of Kentucky. Wieden + Kennedy New York serves as the agency for this campaign. Photos are available courtesy of ESPN Images.
College GameDay Covered by State Farm Heads to Butler for First Road Trip of the Season
contact: rachel.l.margolis@espn.com
ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm will make its first stop of the 2013 season, visiting Indianapolis for the No. 13 Butler vs. No. 8 Gonzaga at 9 p.m. matchup Saturday, Jan. 19. In its ninth season, the first hour GameDay begins at 10 a.m. on ESPNU and continues at 11 a.m. on ESPN, plus a one-hour edition at 8 p.m. on ESPN. GameDay is also available on ESPN 3D and WatchESPN.
In GameDay’s first visit to Hinkle Fieldhouse and Butler University, Saturday’s show will see the return of “Know Your Teammate,” featuring two Butler players and a tribute to the movie “Hoosiers,” which was filmed at Hinkle.
Rece Davis will serve as host for College GameDay, and will be joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps and Jalen Rose to preview all the day’s action and discuss the biggest storylines in college basketball. Full College GameDay Schedule
Full Slate of Women’s College Basketball Games on ESPN3
contact: rachel.l.margolis@espn.com
ESPN3 is the home to several women’s college basketball games this week, including a BIG EAST tilt with Pittsburgh at St. John’s on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. The Red Storm is 2-0 in league play, while the Panthers are looking for their first conference win of the year.
Also on tap for Wednesday is New Hampshire at Albany at noon and Arkansas Little Rock at Middle Tennessee State at 8 p.m. Thursday’s schedule on ESPN3 includes Siena at Saint Peter’s at 6 p.m. and Nicholls State at Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game / Commentators | Networks |
| Mon, Jan 14 | 4:30 p.m. | Norfolk State at Howard Michele Smith & Christy Winters Scott |
ESPNU / WatchESPN |
| Wed, Jan 16 | noon | New Hampshire at Albany Eric Frede & LaChina Robinson |
ESPN3 |
| 7 p.m. | Pittsburgh at St. John’s Ralph Bednarczyk & Julianne Viani |
ESPN3 | |
| 8 p.m. | Arkansas-Little Rock at Middle Tennessee State | ESPN3 | |
| Thu, Jan 17 | 6 p.m. | Siena at Saint Peter’s Dean Darling & Phyllis Mangina |
ESPN3 |
| 6:30 p.m. | Nicholls State at Northwestern State | ESPN3 |
Men’s College Hoops: Five Matchups between Ranked Teams Highlighted by No. 6 Syracuse at No. 1 Louisville
contact: michael.c.humes@espn.com
ESPN’s upcoming men’s college basketball schedule of 49 games from Thursday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, Jan. 20, will include five matchups between ranked teams. The lineup is highlighted by two games pitting top ten teams against each other: No 6 Syracuse at No. 1 Louisville on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m. on ESPN and No. 5 Michigan at No. 9 Minnesota on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
ESPN will televise three additional games between ranked teams on Saturday, Jan. 19 — No. 17 Missouri at No. 10 Florida at 2 p.m., No. 11 Ohio State at No. 18 Michigan State at 6 p.m. and No. 8 Gonzaga at No. 13 Butler as part of the season debut of the Saturday Primetime Presented by DIRECTV at 9 p.m., which will also be offered on ESPN 3D.
ESPN’s week-long “My Home Court” (Twitter #MyHomeCourt) initiative celebrating some of the best and most historic venues in the sport will continue through Saturday, Jan. 19. As part of the week, telecasts will include vignettes and discussion on the home-team venue. Topics include the history, notable moments, great athletes and coaches who appeared in the arena, a look at the past and present, records made and broken in the facility, best and most unique seats in the building, and notable and passionate team fans who attend games.
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 schedule through January 20
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup/Commentators | Network |
| Thu, Jan 17 | 7 p.m. | No. 5 Michigan at No. 9 Minnesota Joe Tessitore, Sean Farnham & Andy Katz |
ESPN |
| 7 p.m. | Florida at Texas A&M Rece Davis & Bob Knight |
ESPN2 | |
| 7 p.m. | Valparaiso at Detroit Dan Gutowsky & Adrian Branch |
ESPNU | |
| 7 p.m. | East Tennessee State at Mercer | ESPN3 | |
| 7 p.m. | Idaho at Louisiana Tech Trey Bender & Stephen Howard |
ESPN3 * | |
| 8 p.m. | Arkansas-Little Rock at Middle Tennessee | ESPN3 | |
| 8 p.m. | Youngstown State at Green Bay | ESPN3 | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Rider at St. Peter’s Doug Sherman & Rob Kennedy |
ESPN3 | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Nicholls State at Northwestern State | ESPN3 | |
| 9 p.m. | Georgia Tech at No. 3 Duke Dave O’Brien & Doris Burke |
ESPN | |
| 9 p.m. | South Florida at Rutgers Bram Weinstein & Dereck Whittenburg |
ESPN2 | |
| 9 p.m. | Oregon State at No. 24 UCLA Dave Pasch & Bill Walton |
ESPNU | |
| 11 p.m. | No. 21 Oregon at USC Roxy Bernstein & Miles Simon |
ESPNU | |
| Fri, Jan 18 | 7 p.m. | Stony Brook at Vermont Jim Barbar & Malcolm Huckaby |
ESPNU |
| 9 p.m. | Fairfield at Iona Doug Sherman & Tim McCormick |
ESPNU | |
| Sat, Jan 19 | 11 a.m. | Virginia Military Institute at Coastal Carolina Adam Amin & Brooke Weisbrod |
ESPNU |
| Noon | Maryland at North Carolina Dave O’Brien & Doris Burke |
ESPN | |
| Noon | Connecticut at Pittsburgh John Saunders & Dereck Whittenburg |
ESPN2 | |
| Noon | St. John’s at DePaul Anish Shroff & Bob Wenzel |
ESPN3 * & BIG EAST Network | |
| 1 p.m. | Nebraska at Penn State Mike Crispino & Bob Valvano |
ESPNU | |
| 1 p.m. | Winthrop at Campbell | ESPN3 | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Iowa State at TCU Mitch Holthus & Reid Gettys |
ESPN3 * & Big 12 Network | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Arkansas at Ole Miss Dave Baker & Barry Booker |
ESPN3 & SEC Network | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt at South Carolina Dave Lamont & Kara Lawson |
ESPN3 & SEC Network | |
| 2 p.m. | No. 17 Missouri at No. 10 Florida Mark Jones & Jimmy Dykes |
ESPN | |
| 2 p.m. | Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Jon Sciambi & Fran Fraschilla |
ESPN2 | |
| 2 p.m. | Wake Forest at Virginia Tech | ESPN3 * & ACC Network | |
| 3 p.m. | Akron at Kent State Dan Gutowsky & Darrin Horn |
ESPNU | |
| 3:15 p.m. | Lipscomb at Stetson | ESPN3 | |
| 4 p.m. | No. 6 Syracuse at No. 1 Louisville Mike Patrick & Len Elmore |
ESPN | |
| 4 p.m. | No. 12 Creighton at Wichita State Rich Hollenberg & Mark Adams |
ESPN2 | |
| 4 p.m. | Florida State at Virginia | ESPN3 * & ACC Network | |
| 4 p.m. | Oklahoma at No. 16 Kansas State Dave Armstrong & Rich Zvosec |
ESPN3 * & Big 12 Network | |
| 4 p.m. | Mississippi State at Tennessee Clay Matvick & Joe Dean |
ESPN3 & SEC Network | |
| 4 p.m. | Villanova at Providence Don Orsillo & Ron Perry |
ESPN3 * & BIG EAST Network | |
| 5 p.m. | Pennsylvania at St. Joseph’s Scott Graham & Carolyn Peck |
ESPNU | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 11 Ohio State at No. 18 Michigan State Bob Wischusen & Dan Dakich |
ESPN | |
| 6 p.m. | Texas A&M at Alabama | ESPN3 * & FSN | |
| 6 p.m. | Georgetown at South Florida Jason Benetti & Mark Wise |
ESPN3 * & BIG EAST Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 25 Marquette at Cincinnati Beth Mowins & Tim Welsh |
ESPNU | |
| 7 p.m. | Saint Peter’s at Marist Doug Sherman & Rob Kennedy |
ESPN3 | |
| 8 p.m. | LSU at Georgia Matt Stewart & Daymeon Fishback |
ESPN3 * & CSS | |
| 8 p.m. | Rutgers at No. 20 Notre Dame Lou Canellis & Sean Kearney |
ESPN3 * & BIG EAST Network | |
| 9 p.m. | No. 8 Gonzaga at No. 13 Butler Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale & Shannon Spake |
ESPN & ESPN 3D | |
| 9 p.m. | Kentucky at Auburn Tom Hart & Matt Doherty |
ESPNU | |
| 11 p.m. | Utah at Washington Dave Flemming & Sean Farnham |
ESPNU | |
| Sun, Jan 20 | 3 p.m. | Drake at Northern Iowa | ESPN3 |
| 6 p.m. | Clemson at No. 14 NC State Carter Blackburn, Jay Williams & Allison Williams |
ESPNU | |
| 8 p.m. | Illinois State at Southern Illinois Mitch Holthus & Mark Adams |
ESPNU |
* Local blackout may apply
NCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Put Their Fundraising Skills to Work in the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge
contact: kristie.chong@espn.com
ESPN kicks off the third annual Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge on Tuesday, Jan. 15, by debuting four new integrated content pieces promoting fans to vote for their favorite coach’s charity on ESPN.com/Infiniti. Voiced by Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the pieces feature a who’s who of top level college coaches, including: Roy Williams (UNC), Mark Gottfried (North Carolina State), Tubby Smith (Minnesota), Tom Crean (Indiana), Brad Stevens (Butler), Matt Painter (Purdue), Bob Huggins (West Virginia) and Ron Hunter (Georgia State). Fan voting among the 48 coaches from the nation’s top NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs begins today and runs over an eight-week period March 11, when the winning coach’s designated charity is announced. The winning charity will receive $100,000.
The first piece premieres Tuesday during the Tennessee vs. Kentucky game beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN and will run during approximately 14 college hoops games on ESPN this season from now through early March. Each offers a humorous take on how great coaches can still struggle with things like fundraising. The pieces – available online at ESPN.com/Infiniti and Infiniti’s YouTube channel – shows the coaches selling cookies, hosting a car wash, running a marathon and playing a round of golf together. ESPN CreativeWorks collaborated with creative agency TBA\Chiat\Day New York for the pieces.
ESPN Conference Call with NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
contact: allison.r.stoneberg@espn.com
ESPN will host a media conference call with NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. To participate, please RSVP to Allie Stoneberg.
London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins Visits ESPN This Week
contact: allison.r.stoneberg@espn.com
Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher will visit ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., campus Wednesday, Jan. 16, and Thursday, Jan. 17, as a guest analyst on SportsCenter and NFL studio shows. Fletcher’s anticipated schedule is as follows:
| Date | Time (ET) | Show | Network |
| Wed, Jan 16 | 4-5 p.m. | NFL Live | ESPN |
| 5-6 p.m. | NFL32 | ESPN2 | |
| Thu, Jan 17 | 12-1 p.m. | SportsCenter | ESPN |
| 5-6 p.m. | NFL32 | ESPN2 |
SportsCenter to Present Live the First Pick of 2013 MLS SuperDraft
contact: mac.nwulu@espn.com
The first overall selection in Major League Soccer’s 2013 SuperDraft will be shown live on SportsCenter on Thursday, Jan. 17, at noon, marking the first time the league’s player-selection process will be featured live on the ESPN flagship program. The rest of the MLS SuperDraft (12 – 4 p.m.), live from the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, will be carried on ESPN3 and ESPNFC, the company’s sole soccer destination.
ESPN’s MLS soccer play-by-play voice Adrian Healey, analysts Taylor Twellman and Alexi Lalas, will be joined by reporter Mónica González to provide commentary for live coverage of the SuperDraft.
espnW.com: Women’s College Hoops Player of the Week and Weekly Wrap, and Venus Williams’ Return
contact: amanda.decastro@espn.com
espnW.com continues naming its national player of the week every Monday throughout the women’s college basketball season. Maryland junior forward Alyssa Thomas receives this week’s top honor after her performance against Virginia Tech on Sunday — scoring 26 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Other highlights include contributor Graham Hays’ weekly wrap, Cal’s victory over Stanford’s Pac-12 win streak, and from the Aussie Open, a post from Bonnie Ford marking Venus Williams’ return.
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