SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Ingles Markets and the Southern Conference announced Friday that they will partner to broadcast 12 SoCon basketball regular-season contests, including nine men’s games and three women’s games, throughout the league’s southeastern footprint.
The Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships will also receive extensive coverage, with two women’s semifinal games and three men’s opening-round games airing on Friday, March 5, followed by all four men’s quarterfinal games on Saturday, March 6.
“The Ingles SoCon Game of the Week and Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships TV coverage continues to be an important part of our efforts to showcase the outstanding basketball played across the Southern Conference,” Interim SoCon Commissioner Geoff Cabe said. “We're excited to provide greater exposure for both our men's and women's programs while giving fans more opportunities to experience SoCon basketball. We're especially grateful to Ingles Markets for its continued and unparalleled commitment to our conference and student-athletes.”
All 11 men’s teams will appear at least once in the regular-season package, while the women’s slate will include five of the 10 teams.
The schedule features at least one game every Saturday starting on Jan. 9, when VMI visits Chattanooga. The only weekday game on the regular-season slate is Feb. 3, when Western Carolina hosts Tennessee Tech.
"This year's partnership between Ingles and the Southern Conference is highlighted by Ingles SoCon Game of the Week. This year's basketball season will see the Ingles Game of the Week, giving every men's team in the conference linear television exposure, great rivalries and exciting women’s games,” Ingles Advertising Director Melissa Leavell said. “The television package expands our tournament coverage bringing all the traditions of the tournament and talent on the court together. Ingles and The Southern Conference make great partners by sharing the commitment to bringing all aspects of college sports to more people across our region.”
Nexstar's WYCW in Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville will act as the flagship affiliate and air the entire package. Other Nexstar affiliates throughout the Southeast will have the opportunity to air games. Additionally, WCCB (Charlotte), WUXP (Nashville), WFTO (Birmingham), EFLI (Chattanooga), and WCIV (Charleston) may air games.
Each game in the package will also air concurrently on ESPN+.
2026-27 Southern Conference Basketball games on Nexstar affiliates (all times Eastern)
Saturday, Jan. 9 VMI at Chattanooga, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 16 ETSU at UNCG, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23 Samford at The Citadel, 1 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30 Samford at Wofford, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 3 Tennessee Tech at Western Carolina, 6 p.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 6 Furman at Mercer, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 6 Furman at Mercer, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 13 Mercer at UNCG, Noon
* Saturday, Feb. 13 Chattanooga at UNCG, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20 Tennessee Tech at Samford, 7:30 p.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 27 Samford at Furman, 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 27 UNCG at Furman, 4 p.m.
*Denotes Women’s Game