Cullowhee, N.C. – Two of the scheduled five regular-season Southern Conference men’s basketball games slated to air on the CBS Sports Network this season will involve Western Carolina, the network and conference announced late Wednesday afternoon following the league’s annual Media Day Tip-Off event at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville.
A combined six teams square off in the five scheduled broadcasts which include the top six teams from the preseason SoCon media poll and six of the top seven in the coaches’ predictions released earlier on Wednesday.
Western Carolina’s mid-January home date against the Samford Bulldogs and its late February meeting with in-state league foe UNC Greensboro will both air on the national platform.
“The Southern Conference’s partnership with CBS Sports Network creates important national exposure for our teams through high-end linear television broadcasts,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross in the release from the conference office. “The opportunity to tell the stories of our student-athletes and their institutions is a recognition of The SoCon as a perennially strong mid-major basketball conference. CBS Sports Network provides an amazing platform for the nation to see the SoCon’s compelling teams first-hand.”
WCU’s home matchup with Samford will move a day earlier than previously announced, sliding from Wednesday, Jan. 17 to the 6 p.m. timeslot on Tuesday, Jan. 16 to accommodate the linear television broadcast. The Catamounts posted an 18-16 overall mark and a 10-8 conference record in 2022-23, making the program’s fourth-ever postseason appearance. Samford finished tied for first in the regular season with Furman last season after logging a 21-11 overall record and a 15-3 mark in SoCon action.
The Catamounts and Bulldogs were picked to finish tied for second by the media in the preseason poll, while WCU edged Samford for third in the coaches’ tabulations unveiled at Wednesday’s media day.
WCU’s Feb. 21 meeting with UNCG will also tip at 6 p.m. from the Greensboro Coliseum. The Spartans finished third in the 2022-23 regular season at 14-4 while boasting a 20-12 overall record.
The first game in the SoCon’s five-game package is Saturday, Jan. 13, when UNCG visits Chattanooga at 7 p.m. The Samford / WCU matchup on Jan. 16, is the second featured game for the conference. Defending league champion Furman travels to ETSU on Saturday, Feb. 10, before the Paladins host Chattanooga on Sunday, Feb. 18. Western Carolina plays at UNCG on Wednesday, Feb. 21, to round out the league’s games on CBS Sports Network.
The 2023-24 men’s basketball regular season opens on Monday, Nov. 6, with eight of the league’s 10 teams in action – five playing at home and two visiting Power Five programs. WCU opens its quest for a championship the following day, hosting Dalton State on Ingles Court in the Ramsey Center on Tues., Nov. 7, with a 7 p.m. tip-off. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live audio from the Catamount Sports Network and live stats available through CatamountSports.com.
Season tickets for Catamount basketball are on sale now and include a $101 All-Hoops General Admission season ticket good for every home men’s and women’s basketball game. Single-game tickets for all men’s and women’s basketball home games at Ingles Court in the Ramsey Center are also available. To purchase tickets, visit the Catamount Athletics Ticket Office on the first floor of the Ramsey Center or call (828) 227-2401. Ticket office hours are Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm. You can also purchase tickets online by visiting CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
Keep track of everything related to Catamount men’s basketball and WCU Athletics through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@catamountmbb @wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@CatamountMBB @catamounts).
2023-24 Southern Conference Men’s Basketball games on CBS Sports Network (all times Eastern)
Saturday, Jan. 13 – UNCG at Chattanooga, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Samford at Western Carolina, 6 p.m. (moved from Jan. 17)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Furman at ETSU, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 – Chattanooga at Furman, 2 p.m. (moved from Feb. 17)
Wednesday, Feb. 21 – Western Carolina at UNCG, 6 p.m.
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