OVC announces TV schedule. SIUE/ESPN?

 The Ohio Valley Conference released its 2011-2012 ESPN television package yesterday, and much of it is still in the dark. The deal with ESPN is very flexible. There are just a few set games and the rest are "wild cards" allowing the TV giant and the conference the time to see how the season plays out and get the right games on television, which you have to do in a league like this, especially this year given the uncertainty of Murray State without Billy Kennedy and Morehead State without Kenneth Faried. Tennessee Tech is going to come in the favorite, but anything can happen. More on that later.

Part of this wild card scenario gives us a little bit of hope. Three SIUE games could potentially get picked up by ESPN, including two at the Vadalabene Center. Who knows what the OVC and ESPN will decide on. If they don't pick an SIUE game, well, that is to be expected. We really have not earned anything on the court to deem cameras from ESPN or even ESPNU for that matter worthy yet.

I think though, there are factors that will make SIUE attractive to the network if the right opportunity presents itself, and here is why.

1. SIUE is new to the conference. Storylines. ESPN can come in here and automatically have something to talk about. "This is the newest division I team, they are not eligible for postseason, but they have this Yelovich guy." I can see it.

2. The OVC wants to market SIUE. Joining the OVC is a two-way street. The OVC helps us and we help them. They want to get our name out there as much as we do. SIUE is close to St. Louis, so there is a market a game could interest, and the "new" VC is in its third season, so it is an opportunity to showcase it.

3. Fanbase. ESPN wants rowdy fans on its network. Do some research here. SIUE has showed up when directed to do so. The game against Illinois State two years ago was so hyped, mainly because of Osiris Eldridge, opening a new season in a new gym and that whole Division I thing. The Murray State whiteout? It was great. I saw an Austin Peay game on the U last year and the crowd sucked. If you tell SIUE they will be on ESPN there is no doubt in my mind Felix rallies the troops and we set a new attendance record. It will be loud.

4. It's the OVC. ESPN doesn't care for a "marquee matchup" because there aren't any. Especially this year without Faried. Murray State is still sexy, but they will be down compared to the past two years, no doubt. Even with a deal where they can pick a game there is danger of getting to pick between four mediocre contests. Why not go with something refreshing?

Here is the OVC TV schedule. Feel free to share comments and expect more basketball in the weeks to come.

2011-12 ESPN Television Schedule

Saturday, December 31 - Austin Peay at Morehead State, 11:00 a.m. CT (ESPNU)

Saturday, January 7 -

Saturday, January 14 - Tennessee Tech at Murray State, 5:00 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, January 21 - Wild Card Game (Teams TBD), 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)  

Potential Wild Card Games for Jan. 21  
Austin Peay at Eastern Illinois  
UT Martin at Morehead State 
Murray State at SIUE  
Southeast Missouri at Tennessee Tech

Saturday, January 28 - Tennessee Tech at Morehead State, 2:00 p.m. (ESPNU)

Thursday, February 2 - Wild Card Game (Teams TBD), 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)

Potential Wild Card Games for Feb. 2  
Tennessee Tech at Austin Peay
 Eastern Kentucky at Eastern Illinois 
 Morehead State at SIUE
 Southeast Missouri at Murray State 
 Jacksonville State at UT Martin

Thursday, February 23 - Wild Card Game (Teams TBD), 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
Austin Peay at UT Martin
SIUE at Eastern Kentucky  
Murray State at Tennessee State  
Eastern Illinois at Morehead State  
Southeast Missouri at Jacksonville State

Friday, March 2 

OVC Tournament Men's Semifinal #1, 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
OVC Tournament Men's Semifinal #2, 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPN3)

Saturday, March 3

OVC Tournament Men's Championship, 1:00 p.m. CT (ESPN or ESPN2)

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