Fan Central Mailbag: NBA, postseason college football and more
Before we get to your questions, just a few quick programming reminders for the weekend:
• The NBA on ESPN continues tonight with a doubleheader. First, the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs — led by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker — host the Portland Trail Blazers with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge at 8 p.m. ET. That’s followed at 10:30 p.m., by the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant. NBA Countdown tips the night off at 7:30 p.m.
• This weekend’s college football action on ESPN networks will be highlighted by the NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III post-season Championships. The FCS Championship semifinals kick off tonight when Sam Houston State takes on North Dakota State at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. Tomorrow, Illinois State and New Hampshire square off in the second semifinal game at 2 p.m. on ESPNU. ESPNU also will carry the NCAA Division III Championship featuring Wisconsin-Whitewater versus Mount Union tonight at 7 p.m. and ESPN2 will televise the NCAA Division II Championship featuring Colorado State-Pueblo versus Minnesota State-Mankato tomorrow at 4 p.m.
In addition, ESPN’s 38-game post-season Bowl schedule — leading up to ESPN’s exclusive presentation of the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 12 — kicks off tomorrow at 11 a.m. with five games, four on ESPN and ESPN Radio and one on ABC.
Now on to your questions…
Is there any way for me to know when Sean McDonough is going to be calling games? — Art
Art, Sean McDonough will be calling the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl featuring Boise State and Arizona on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 4 p.m. on ESPN. Chris Spielman and Todd McShay will join McDonough on the telecast. You can check out other commentator assignments for ESPN’s Bowl schedule on ESPN MediaZone.
Why doesn’t SportsCenter show highlights from all NBA games? Each team has fans and should be able to see their favorite teams. — Eileen
Eileen, SportsCenter’s goal is to provide fans with highlights of the day’s most compelling action and the latest news and information around the biggest stories in the NBA. You can also get the latest news and analysis from ESPN’s NBA experts by watching NBA Tonight (generally Tues-Fri., after midnight on ESPN2), NBA Coast to Coast (next scheduled airing: Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. on ESPN2), NBA Countdown (airs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays prior to NBA games on ESPN and ABC) and The Grantland Basketball Hour. You can also get the latest news and analysis for each NBA team by visiting ESPN’s NBA page on ESPN.com.
When will ESPN Films’ 30 for 30: “The U Part 2” be available to purchase on DVD? — John
John, “The U Part 2” is scheduled to be released Feb. 24 and will be available for pre-order on Amazon within the next week. You can also watch the film again on Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. on ESPNU and 9 p.m. on ESPN2. Also, don’t forget to check out one of our recent mailbag columns in which we explain how you can view or purchase other ESPN films, including the 30 for 30 Fifth Anniversary Collection.
