ESPN Picks Up Seven BYU Basketball Games During WCC Play

PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball will have some West Coast Conference (WCC) games played on ESPN networks this season.

ESPN and the WCC released the TV schedule for the 2020-21 conference season on Thursday, and BYU will have seven games on ESPN networks.

WCC ANNOUNCES 2020-21 ESPN MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE.

➡️ https://t.co/VBy9K84uly#BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/96ygtpevmX

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) November 19, 2020

The seven games start with the WCC opener on New Year’s Eve against Pepperdine in Malibu on Dec. 31. Two weeks later, a trip to McKeon Pavilion in Moraga to face league rival Saint Mary’s. A place where BYU hasn’t won since 2014. Two days later, BYU and San Francisco will square on the Hilltop in War Memorial Gymnasium. A place where BYU lost a year ago.

Any of these seven games could end up on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU.

Other ESPN network games involving BYU include home games against Pepperdine and Saint Mary’s.

Then both of BYU’s games against No. 1 Gonzaga will air on ESPN networks. Starting with a trip to The Kennel on Feb. 6, then another Senior Night in the Marriott Center against the Zags on Feb. 27.

ESPN has a package with the WCC that extends through the 2026-27 season. The WCC also has a television agreement with CBS Sports Network that began last year and is a “multi-year agreement.”

TV info for BYU in non-conference play

The first three BYU basketball non-conference games of the season will be televised on BYUtv. The Cougars, who have eight newcomers on this roster, will open the 2020-21 season against Westminster College at 6 p.m. (MT) on BYUtv.

The next day on Thanksgiving, BYU will play New Orleans at 7 p.m. on BYUtv, and the opening week will conclude with a home tilt against Utah Valley at 7 p.m. as well on BYUtv.

#BYU basketball will open the 2020-21 season on November 25th in Provo at home against Westminster.#BYUHoops @Kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2020

BYU then goes on the road to Connecticut for the Legends Classic, where they will face USC from the Pac-12 Conference on Dec. 1. Tip-off is at 12:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2. Two days later, BYU will play either UConn or Vanderbilt, depending on their outcome against the Trojans at the Mohegan Sun.

BYU’s schedule on its official website lists the rivalry game against Utah on Dec. 12 to be played on BYUtv. Understandable as that will be a full weekend of college football games for ESPN properties to pick up on that day, including a home game for BYU football against San Diego State.

Then games against Texas Southern and Weber State at the Vivint Smart Home Arena are also scheduled to be televised on BYUtv.

2020-21 BYU Basketball Schedule

All games can be heard on KSL NewsRadio. Tip times are (MT).

Nov. 25 – WESTMINSTER – 6 p.m., BYUtv

Nov. 26 – NEW ORLEANS – 7 p.m., BYUtv

Nov. 28 – UTAH VALLEY – 7 p.m., BYUtv

Dec. 1 – vs. USC (Legends Classic) – 12:30 p.m., ESPN2

Dec. 3 – vs. UConn/Vanderbilt

Dec. 5 – at Utah State

Dec. 9 – BOISE STATE

Dec. 12 – UTAH – BYUtv

Dec. 18 – at San Diego State

Dec. 21 – TEXAS SOUTHERN – BYUtv

Dec. 23 – WEBER STATE – BYUtv

Dec. 31 – at Pepperdine – ESPN network

Jan. 2 – at San Diego

Jan. 7 – PACIFIC

Jan. 14 – at Saint Mary’s – ESPN network

Jan. 16 – at San Francisco – ESPN network

Jan. 21 – PORTLAND

Jan. 23 – PEPPERDINE – ESPN network

Jan. 30 – SAN FRANCISCO

Feb. 4 – at Portland

Feb. 6 – at No. 1 Gonzaga – ESPN network

Feb. 11 – SAINT MARY’S – ESPN network

Feb. 13 – SAN DIEGO

Feb. 18 – at Pacific

Feb. 20 – at Loyola Marymount

Feb. 25 – SANTA CLARA

Feb. 27 – No. 1 GONZAGA – ESPN network

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.