SIUE, located in Edwardsville, Illinois, is set to welcome a national television audience yet again this season. The 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference ESPN basketball schedule kicks off with a highly anticipated matchup as Western Illinois takes on SIUE on Thursday, January 2, and will be aired on ESPNU. The tipoff time has been adjusted to 8 p.m. to accommodate the network, ensuring maximum exposure for both teams.

Enhancing the Game Atmosphere

To create a vibrant and electric atmosphere during these televised games, Cougar fans have a great opportunity. By using the discount code TIPOFF25 when purchasing tickets, they can enjoy a 25 percent discount on their entire purchase. This not only encourages fan attendance but also adds to the excitement of the games. Tickets are readily available online, making it convenient for fans to secure their seats and be part of the action.

Wild Card Selection Process

The OVC and ESPN have implemented a unique Wild Card selection process to determine the linear broadcasts. Selections are made and announced approximately two weeks before the competition date, ensuring that the best matchups are showcased. This adds an element of surprise and anticipation, as fans never know which teams will be featured on national television.

Men's Basketball Broadcast Schedule

The full ESPN broadcast schedule for the 2024-25 season is packed with exciting matchups. There are a total of eight men's basketball games, including five regular season contests and three OVC Tournament games. The five regular season games will air on ESPNU, providing extensive coverage of the conference action. The schedule also includes a women's basketball regular season matchup on ESPNU, further highlighting the importance of women's basketball within the OVC.

OVC Championship Tournament

The 2025 OVC Championship Tournament is scheduled to take place from March 5-8 at The Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. This is a significant event for the conference, as the best teams battle it out for the championship. All games that are televised on an ESPN network will also be available on the ESPN App with TV Everywhere credentials, allowing fans to watch from anywhere. Additionally, all events will be available for replay on the ESPN App, giving fans the opportunity to relive the excitement.

Upcoming Games

The upcoming games on the 2024-25 OVC ESPN television schedule are highly anticipated. On Thursday, January 2, Western Illinois will face off against SIUE at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU. This is just the beginning of a thrilling season filled with intense matchups. Other notable games include the Wild Card matchups on January 23, February 8, February 15, February 22, and March 1, all airing at different times on ESPNU. The OVC Men's Tournament semifinals and championship will also be broadcast, adding to the excitement.