Jan. 23, 2017

MAC Release

CLEVELAND -- The Ohio men's basketball team's Feb. 4 contest against Mid-American Conference East Division rival Akron has been picked up by CBS Sports Network and will now tip at noon ET from the Convocation Center, as announced the league office on Sunday (Jan. 15).

The game, which was originally scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off, has been moved due to being selected as a MAC wildcard game.

The Bobcats fell to the Zips last Tuesday (Jan. 17), 83-68, at James A. Rhodes Arena in the first meeting of the season between the two squads.

The Ohio women's basketball team was originally scheduled to host MAC West Division foe Toledo at 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 4. That contest will now tip at 3 p.m. ET.

CBS

I'm not a fan of the time change either, but it's not like it is happening the week of the game. They gave us a decent amount of time to figure things out. Sorry to hear about your issues, Jeff.

Welcome to the world of TV windows boys.

With the MAC having deals with Spectrum Sports, American Sports Network, ESPN3, CBS Sports Network.....there is a bidding process for games.

Just like football. Two weeks before the games, the networks have a pecking order that allows them to choose what games they want.

This is the norm for a lot of conferences that have multiple network deals in football.

For basketball, it's a little different for smaller conferences. Unfortunately, they get the shaft more times than not because networks want to make sure they're getting best possible games because they only showcase the league maybe once a week.

They don't want to lock in on BG-Ball State only to find out they're both 2-8 in the league.

They'd rather keep their options open and choose the best game.

It's the price of doing business and getting your product on national TV for MAC-level leagues.

P.S.

Yes it does suck. Was planning an afternoon of pre-gaming on Court St before hitting the Convo.

Mr Leon, I don't always agree with you, but on this, I completely agree. I would love to see more night games, or later afternoon games like the 3:30 this was originally slated for. My one bitch regarding scheduling from the MAC and Ohio's standpoint is this:

If it's subject to change with TV as the culprit, then put it on the schedule as TBA. The conference and Ohio Athletics HAS to find a better way to manage this for the sake of fan's planning. The other thing is that the period of time for notification should ideally be more than two weeks. It used to be 20-21 days for ESPN related games not that long ago. I'm ticked because this just crushed my buddy and his two sons from joining my wife and I for this game.

Post game. Jackie Os still gonna have plenty of beer. I promise.

The difference is this: I can indulge in as much as I want beforehand and then safely drive home after drinking water at the game. Now I can have 1-2 with post game food before I drive home. Noon games just ruin game day adult fun. Plus, now I gotta get up much earlier to get my morning run in. I know, I know, #firstworldproblems.