Final Weekend Game Times

by **BuBrave2006** » February 10th, 2019, 3:48 pm

Does anyone know when the game times will be set for the final game of the season? I know they wait for TV reasons to put what will likely be the highest rated game on national TV, but does anyone know how far advance they make that decision? I want to travel up for the Bradley @ Loyola game and am curious about potential travel arrangements that depend when the game time is.

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by **Bulldog2323** » February 10th, 2019, 5:44 pm

From the Valley's press releases:
"Using the wildcard/netflex model, the Missouri Valley Conference -- in conjunction with its television partners -- reserves clearance windows for select dates throughout the season and waits until three weeks before the contest(s) to determine network clearances."

Three weeks was yesterday so I'm guessing we'll find out tomorrow.

by **BuBrave2006** » February 10th, 2019, 6:00 pm

Bulldog2323 wrote:From the Valley's press releases:
"Using the wildcard/netflex model, the Missouri Valley Conference -- in conjunction with its television partners -- reserves clearance windows for select dates throughout the season and waits until three weeks before the contest(s) to determine network clearances."

Three weeks was yesterday so I'm guessing we'll find out tomorrow.

Phenomenal...Thank you.

by **Kyle@MOState** » February 10th, 2019, 6:53 pm

I know there is still a lot of conference season to go, but who would have thought that Missouri State vs Drake would be a key matchup to close out the season?

by **BCPanther** » February 11th, 2019, 8:30 am

Basically there are 3 games to be considered for the two TV slots. 1:00 on CBS Sports Net and 5:00 or 9:00 PM on ESPN2.

UNI-Indiana State and Evansville-Valpo aren't getting picked.

That leaves Bradley at Loyola, Illinois State at Southern Illinois and Missouri State at Drake.

Last year plus the fact that Loyola is going to win the league is going to get them the ESPN2 slot. So, Bradley at Loyola at either 5:00 or 9:00.

My guess is the other slot goes to Illinois State at SIU just simply do to recent history. Slot that game in at 1:00 on CBS Sports Net.

The other 3 games are under the control of the host school. With past history, I'd guess UNI at Indiana State at 1:00, Evansville at Valpo at 3:00 and Missouri State at Drake at 7:00.

by **Adunk33** » February 11th, 2019, 3:15 pm

Evansville @ Valparaiso (ESPN+) – 1 p.m. CT
UNI @ Indiana State (ESPN+) – 1 p.m. CT
Illinois State @ Southern Illinois (CBS Sports Network) - 1 p.m. CT
Drake @ Missouri State (ESPN+) – 2 p.m. CT
Bradley @ Loyola (ESPN2) - 5 p.m. CT

by **BCPanther** » February 11th, 2019, 3:16 pm

I nailed it

Illinois State-Southern Illinois 1:00 CBS Sports Net
Bradley-Loyola 5:00 ESPN2

Evansville-Valpo 1:00 ESPN+
UNI-Indiana State 1:00 ESPN+
Missouri State-Drake 2:00 ESPN+

So, completes UNIs first year without at least one national TV game since 2002

It's got to get better fast, there won't be much more patience for this up here when paying a coach $1 Million.

by **Adunk33** » February 11th, 2019, 3:23 pm

It seems like ILST has been on National TV a whole bunch this year.
CBS Sports: 4
Stadium:3
ESPNU/2: 3

Regional:
NBC Sports Chicago: 5
MVC Network (Fox Sports): 3

by **BCPanther** » February 11th, 2019, 3:56 pm

Adunk33 wrote:It seems like ILST has been on National TV a whole bunch this year.
CBS Sports: 4
Stadium:3
ESPNU/2: 3

Regional:
NBC Sports Chicago: 5
MVC Network (Fox Sports): 3

UNI played in a non-national TV MTE (Paradise Jam-FloHoops) and coming off last year didn't deserve any of the Valley's TV spots, quite frankly. Lots of regional games as all of our Panther Sports Network broadcasts are on FS Kansas City and NBC Sports Chicago or Plus. Only 3 appearances on MVC Network.

Next year's MTE is a CBS Sports Net Tournament (Cancun Challenge with West Virginia, South Carolina and Wichita)

From a league wide perspective, ESPN picking up the NBA was a killer for us. We'd regularly have mid-week games on ESPN2 and ESPNU and many more weekend games on the ESPN Networks than we have now. I remember lots of 6:00 Tuesday Night games that would be ESPN2 games. Its great that ESPN3/+ exists but there's now very little chance of somebody just stumbling upon a Valley game now. Only having 3 ESPN2 spots and the crappy mid-afternoon Sunday ESPNU slot isn't helping us at all.