ESPN's 2013-14 women's college basketball regular-season schedule - a record-high 209 exclusive games across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 - will be supported by a field of experienced and dedicated commentators.
Highlights
· Rebecca Lobo will join the studio team, working with returning anchor Kevin Negandhi and analyst Kara Lawson during Championship Week Presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods and the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The trio will also work numerous top regular-season games from ESPN's studios, while Lobo and Lawson will rotate studio duties for
ESPN and
ESPN2 telecasts during the remainder of the season.
· Negandhi, Lawson and Lobo will be on-site from top-ranked Connecticut vs. No. 3 Stanford at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., on Monday, Nov. 11, as part of ESPN's College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.
· The Final Four announcing team of Dave O'Brien and Doris Burke will reunite for marquee games beginning with the UConn-Stanford telecast, as well as the Jimmy Women's V Classic Presented by Corona featuring UConn at No. 2 Duke on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
· The new
ESPN Sunday franchise will be primarily called by veterans Pam Ward and Carolyn Peck.
· Beth Mowins, a multi-sport play-by-play voice, will team with Stephanie White for most of the Big Monday series, beginning in January 13.
· Lobo will pair with Basketball Hall of Famer and
ESPN men's basketball analyst Bill Walton on the second game of the January 27 Big Monday doubleheader showcasing USC at Stanford. Dave Pasch will be the play-by-play announcer on the game.
· Familiar names returning to the analyst chair are Nell Fortner, LaChina Robinson, Maria Taylor and Brooke Weisbrod.
"Need to Know"
ESPN will continue to promote the top players in the women's game through a new "Need to Know" initiative. The brand will be integrated through each women's telecast with extended coverage on espnW.com.
· The five players on the initial list include: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Connecticut); Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford); Odyssey Sims (Baylor); Breanna Stewart (Connecticut) and Alyssa Thomas (Maryland).
· The original five will stay on the list through the duration of the season, while additional players have the opportunity to play their way onto it.
Early-Season Car Wash
As part of the launch to the women's college basketball season, three top players will visit ESPN's Bristol, Conn., studios on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Mosqueda-Lewis, Ogwumike and Louisville's Shoni Schimmel will be seen across several platforms, including Mike and Mike in the Morning, SportsCenter, espnW.com and more.
In addition, Lobo will be sitting down with the three players to breakdown game film.
espnW.com
· Weekly coverage includes columns from Graham Hays, Michelle Smith and Mechelle Voepel, as well as frequent contributions from Charlie Creme, Kate Fagan and Lobo.
· Creme will continue forecasting the NCAA Championship field through Bracketology all season.
· In-depth coverage with Total Access - this year focusing for the first time on three schools in Duke, North Carolina and NC State, also known as the "The Triangle."
· Video features and photo galleries will be incorporated into the behind-the-scenes storytelling.
· Total Access will follow storylines such as the Blue Devils' quest to return to their first Final Four since 2006, the Tar Heels' highly-rated freshmen class and the Wolfpack's first season under new coach Wes Moore.
ESPN Early-Season Commentator Assignments (subject to change)
Date Time (ET) Game/Commentators Network
Sun, Nov 10
6 p.m. No. 2 Duke at No. 9 California Dave Flemming & LaChina Robinson ESPNU
Mon, Nov 11
7 p.m. College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon: No. 3 Stanford at No. 1 Connecticut Dave O'Brien & Doris Burke ESPN2
9 p.m. College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon: No. 4 Tennessee at No. 12 North Carolina Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck ESPN2
Fri, Nov. 15
6 p.m. No. 1 Connecticut at No. 8 Maryland Pam Ward & Rebecca Lob
· ESPNU
Sun, Dec 1
5:30 p.m. Feast Week Presented by Lowe's: Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge (Springfield, Mass.): Ohio State vs. No. 1 Connecticut Pam Ward & Rebecca Lob
· ESPN2
Tue, Dec 17
7 p.m. Jimmy V Women's Basketball Classic Presented by Corona Extra: No. 1 Connecticut at No. 2 Duke Dave O'Brien & Doris Burke ESPN2
Sun, Dec 22
11 a.m. Holiday Hoops Presented by Kay Jewelers: Maggie Dixon Classic (New York, N.Y.): No. 16 Texas A&M vs. St. John's Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck ESPNU
1:30 p.m. Holiday Hoops Presented by Kay Jewelers: Maggie Dixon Classic (New York, N.Y.): No. 9 California vs. No. 1 Connecticut Pam Ward & Carolyn Peck ESPN2
Sun, Dec 29
3 p.m. SMU at No. 5 Louisville Melissa Lee & Brooke Weisbrod ESPNU
5 p.m. Cincinnati at No. 1 Connecticut Bob Picozzi & LaChina Robinson ESPNU
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