SoCon announces ESPN networks men’s basketball schedule

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference and ESPN announced today the five regular-season men’s basketball games will air on ESPN linear channels during the upcoming season.

"The Southern Conference's continued partnership with ESPN provides SoCon fans across the country with access to the exceptional basketball played in our league. The national platform offered by the 'Worldwide Leader in Sports' lets viewers witness the talent, tireless dedication, and excellence that defines SoCon basketball,” SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross said. “The SoCon's standing as a premier conference in the college game is a testament to the remarkable coaching, fierce competition, and unwavering passion that have been the hallmarks of our basketball programs for decades.  This rich tradition, combined with the exposure afforded by our ESPN partnership, gives fans an unmissable experience in college hoops and furthers our reputation as a mid-major conference that continues to consistently deliver on the hardwood - It’s All Here in the Southern Conference."

The first game in the package will see Samford will visit Chattanooga on Thursday, Jan. 23, on ESPNU. Samford, the 2024 SoCon Tournament champion, went 29-6 overall and 15-3 in conference play last season, making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000. Chattanooga went 21-12 overall and 12-6 in SoCon play in 2023-24. The two squads were picked to be the top two teams in the conference’s preseason poll.

Wofford will host a game on ESPNU on Feb. 5, when the Terriers welcome Chattanooga. The Terriers were 17-15 overall and 10-8 in league play last season under the direction of head coach Dwight Perry, who was in his first full season as the head man in Spartanburg. The next game in the package will be played on Feb. 15 between two teams that will be announced on a later date.

UNCG at ETSU on Feb. 19 will be the next game to air in the package on ESPNU. The Spartans finished the 2023-24 season with a 21-11 overall mark and a 12-6 record in SoCon games. The Buccaneers, who finished its 2023-24 season in the SoCon Tournament final, was 19-16 overall and 8-10 in conference matchups last season.
 

Samford and UNCG conclude the conference’s five-game slate with a contest in Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 1. The Bulldogs topped the Spartans in both games last season. This game will be carried on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.
 
Three SoCon tournament games will also air on ESPN networks, with both semifinals on Sunday, March 9, being carried live, along with Monday night’s (March 10) tournament final being carried on ESPN or ESPN2. 

 
ESPN will assign the on-air talent for each contest.
 
2024-25 Southern Conference Men’s Basketball games on ESPN2/ESPNU (all times Eastern)
Thursday, Jan. 23                    Samford at Chattanooga; 7 p.m. (moving from Jan. 22)
Wednesday, Feb. 5                  Chattanooga at Wofford; 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15                    Wild Card selection; 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 19                UNCG at ETSU; 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 1                   Samford at UNCG; 4 p.m.