SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A pair of Western Carolina men’s basketball games have been selected to air nationally on ESPN linear channels during the upcoming season as the league and ESPN announced a five-game national broadcast schedule on Wednesday afternoon.
 
WCU’s game at Samford on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) will tip-off at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Last season, the Bulldogs won both games during the regular season series by less than 10 points.
 
Chromatic rival Furman visits Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center for both the home regular-season finale and the final game of conference’s five-game slate at 7 p.m. WCU downed the Paladins 79-67 in Cullowhee on Dec. 30, 2022, before Furman protected its home court with a win on Feb. 11. The teams squared off in a memorable semifinal matchup in the SoCon Tournament with Furman prevailing in overtime.
 
Three SoCon tournament games will also air on ESPN networks with both semifinals on Sunday, March 10, to be seen on either ESPN2 or ESPNU, and the championship game set for Monday, March 11, on ESPN.
 
ESPN will assign the on-air talent for each contest in the package.
 
The first look at the 2023-24 Western Carolina men’s and women’s basketball teams is Tuesday, Oct. 24, as Catamount Basketball presents: A Night in the Whee, brought to you by Prospect Cullowhee. Ramsey Center doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the event starting at 7 p.m. It’s the first chance to meet both basketball teams and coaches. WCU students will have an opportunity to win great prizes throughout the night and a few lucky students will be able to compete alongside Catamount student-athletes.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount men’s basketball and WCU Athletics through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@catamountmbb @wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@CatamountMBB @catamounts
 
2023-24 Southern Conference Men’s Basketball games on ESPN2/ESPNU (all times Eastern)
Sunday, Jan. 21                               Chattanooga at ETSU; 3 p.m. (moving from Jan. 20)
Sunday, Feb. 4                                 UNCG at Furman; 2 p.m. (moving from Feb. 3)
Thursday, Feb. 8                              Samford at UNCG; 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 14                      Western Carolina at Samford; 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 28                      Furman at Western Carolina; 7 p.m.