In brief: ESPN networks plan to televise several Gonzaga games

Men’s basketball: Gonzaga will appear on the ESPN networks a minimum of 17 times throughout the 2012-13 season as the West Coast Conference and ESPN announced the WCC television schedule Wednesday.

  As part of their long-term relationship, the WCC and ESPN will have a minimum of 43 games involving WCC schools air nationally.

The WCC’s national telecast package is highlighted by a pair of clashes between Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga – the teams that met in the 2012 WCC championship game.

GU’s nonconference appearances include: Nov. 12 vs. West Virginia; Nov. 22 vs. Clemson; Dec. 5 vs. Washington State; Dec. 8 vs. Illinois; Dec. 15 vs. Kansas State; Dec. 28 vs. Baylor; Dec. 31 vs. Oklahoma State; and Jan. 19 vs. Butler.

Hamilton details cycling secrets

Cycling: At first, Tyler Hamilton was impressed with the power Lance Armstrong wielded in cycling circles – his ability to call the head of the international cycling federation at any time and call him by his first name.

As time passed, Hamilton saw how that power could work against him, too – for example, when he was summoned to the federation’s offices and warned he was being monitored shortly after beating Armstrong in a race.

The 41-year-old, who rode with Armstrong on the U.S. Postal Service team from 1998 to 2001, details the years he spent lying about using performance-enhancing drugs and his relationship with Armstrong in his book released Wednesday, “The Secret Race, Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-Ups and Winning at All Costs.”

“The truth will set you free, I’d always heard that term,” Hamilton said.

Associated Press