More WCC games coming to ESPN

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — The West Coast Conference, with new member BYU, will get more exposure for its men’s basketball teams under its new contract with ESPN. The two sides announced an eight-year contract extension through the 2018-19 season Wednesday. The conference will receive a minimum of 48 annual men’s basketball appearances on ESPN networks starting this season. That’s an increase from an average of 38 appearances over the last three years. Conference games count as two appearances. The WCC is adding BYU as a member this season, making it an even more attractive conference for television partners. Along with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s, the WCC will have three of the eight programs that have won at least 25 games in each of the last four seasons.