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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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ESPN to air Idaho basketball games

We've got plenty of football-related stories in progress, but here's a brief note about Idaho men's basketball. Six UI games this season will be on one of the ESPN networks, including three home games. The Idaho-Nevada matchup at Cowan Spectrum will be on ESPN2, as will the Idaho-Utah State game in Logan. That's a big-time upgrade from previous years for the Vandals.

Click below for the official Idaho release.

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Here's the piece from Idaho media relations:

DENVER - In another exciting development for the University of Idaho basketball program, ESPN has selected the Vandals to appear on its family of networks no less than six times throughout the 2009-10 basketball season as announced by the Western Athletic Conference Wednesday.

The ESPN slate includes 20 total WAC games to be broadcast by the television sports leader. Each of the WAC's nine schools will be featured by the network.

"We are very excited to have our basketball program and the University of Idaho featured on ESPN," Idaho coach Don Verlin said. "The WAC is a very good basketball conference and the exposure that comes from playing on national television not only will benefit our program, but the entire conference."

ESPN will broadcast three contests at the Cowan Spectrum and Idaho also will be featured on the ESPN networks in three WAC road games. The Vandals will host New Mexico State on ESPNU, Nevada on ESPN2 and San Jose State on ESPN Regional and will play nationally-televised games at Utah State on ESPN2, Boise State on ESPNU and New Mexico State on ESPN2.

The Vandals also have a possibility of four additional ESPN-broadcast games as the WAC Tournament quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game all will appear on the network in March, as will select contests from the ESPN-sponsored BracketBusters Tournament in February.

"This is great exposure for our University and our department," Idaho Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Spear said. "It recognizes the progress being made by Coach Verlin and highlights the improvement of our basketball program."

ESPN has not visited Moscow for men's basketball since the 1998-99 season when the Vandals defeated Iona 95-67 on ESPN. Idaho played live on ESPN2 the previous season in a 74-71 overtime win over Southwest Missouri State at the Kibbie Dome.

The television arrangements have changed dates and times for the selected games. The revised Idaho men’s basketball schedule is attached.



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