Fan Central Mailbag: ATH scoring explained; NBA podcast returns; WatchESPN on the way for Xbox 360

Welcome to another edition of the Fan Central Mailbag. Remember, if you have an ESPN-related question, follow us @ESPN_FanCentral and use #FanCentralMB to tweet your questions. You also can e-mail them to [email protected].

I’m trying to figure out how the scoring is tabulated on Around the Horn. I see scores increase and decrease as a panelist is speaking, but I’m lost as to whom is doing the scoring and how. Thanks! – Michael, Bronx, N.Y.
Michael, it’s only fitting that we start the mailbag with your question since today Around the Horn’s celebrates its 10th anniversary (the show actually debuted Nov. 4, 2002). On ATH, points are awarded to or taken from panelists based on the strength or weakness of their arguments. It’s that simple. The man deciding the points? None other than host Tony Reali, aka, Pardon the Interruption’s Stat Boy, who has hosted ATH since 2004.

Today’s 10th anniversary edition of ATH is on at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. For a little nostalgia, watch this clip of Tony reminiscing about ATH’s premiere episode.

I wanted to know if there is a resource for knowing which of your announcers/personalities will be announcing which games/events on your various channels. As an example, how would I find out which announcers/personalities will be covering this weekend’s college football games? — Archie, Boston, Mass.
Archie, you can view this weekend’s college football commentator assignments by visiting ESPN MediaZone. This weekend, ESPN platforms will cover four of the remaining six undefeated teams in the country, including No. 2 Kansas State hosting No. 24 Oklahoma State Saturday (8 p.m., ABC). Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit will be in the booth, with Heather Cox on the sideline.

When is the NBA Today Podcast back? I need it so badly. NBA podcast limbo is painful!! — Ciaran
No worries Ciaran, the podcast returned this week. In the premiere episode, Adam Stanco and ESPNLA’s Dave McMenamin discussed the impact of James Harden being traded from the Thunder to the Rockets. In yesterday’s episode, Adam talked to ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Williams about the life of a rookie in the NBA.

Don’t forget, ESPN’s coverage of the 2012-13 NBA season tips off tonight with a doubleheader. The defending champion Miami Heat visit the New York Knicks at 8 p.m., followed by the “Battle for Los Angeles,” with the Clippers taking on the Lakers (10:30 p.m.). For more upcoming games, view ABC and ESPN’s entire 2012-13 NBA schedule.

When can we expect the WatchESPN app on Xbox 360? – Matthew, Graceville, Fla.
WatchESPN is scheduled to be on Xbox 360 by the end of the year. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more news once we have it. Speaking of Xbox 360, SportsNation hosted the Halo 4 Bowl yesterday with Team Cruz defeating Team Gronk. Here’s some of the action, in case you missed it.