TV Decisions for Non-Conference MBK Will Have New Players

I was going through the Big East men's basketball non-conference schedule this morning. I am curious to see how several games are slotted for television now that the Big East and Big 12 split their rights even further with new agreements taking full effect, with the Big East taking a chunk of rights to TNT and ESPN+, along with additional rights to NBC Sports, and the Big 12 bringing on FOX Sports to carry men's basketball, along with new sublicensee TNT.

The first game that peaks my interest is Alabama at St. John's on 11/8.  The game is scheduled to be played at Madison Square Garden and the NY Rangers are at home that evening, so we know that the basketball game will have to be in the early afternoon.  FOX will be carrying college football all day, so they're out.  FS1 might be took unless they move around their schedule a bit.  NBC would be a good place for the game since it could lead in to a Big Ten women's volleyball match.  Otherwise, TNT or Peacock are in play.  Maybe TNT would hook it to Big 12 college football and create a basketball-football doubleheader.

The next game that caught my eye is Arizona at UConn on 11/19.  Its a weeknight game, so I'd lean towards FS1 carrying the game.  TNT and Peacock might be in the mix.  I don't think ESPN+ will be as I think they'll be carrying non-conference games that the linear TV partners can't accommodate.

Next up is a Big 12 controlled matchup when UConn travels to Kansas on 12/2.  I don't think ESPN will be able to carry the game as they have the ACC - SEC basketball challenge series on 12/2 and 12/3.  FS1 might end up with this one too, unless it falls into the lap of CBSSN or TNT as sublicensees of ESPN's Big 12 content.

December 6th has a great schedule.  We know that Indiana-Louisville (2pm ET) and Baylor-Memphis (4:30pm ET) will comprise two games for CBS to air.  Duke-Michigan State is a huge game for someone to air.  FOX could air it leading into coverage of the Mountain West championship game, CBS could have it for the opening game of a tripleheader, or NBC could take it.  Ole Miss-St. John's and Cincinnati-Xavier would be fine selections for FS1 or TNT.  And whichever network doesn't carry Duke-Michigan State could end up with Marquette-Wisconsin.  

Auburn-Arizona is out there on 12/6 too, but I'd expect ESPN to end up with that one since their cable nets will be open most of the afternoon.  Iowa State-Purdue could be sought after by Peacock too.