Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell-Villanova Men's Basketball Game to Air Live on ESPN360
12/2/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Sold-out Sojka Pavilion will be the backdrop for the first-ever ESPN360 telecast on the Bucknell campus when the Bison men's basketball team hosts fourth-ranked Villanova on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. The much-anticipated contest will be aired live on ESPN's multi-dimensional broadband service. ESPN360 is available at www.ESPN360.com, and it can be accessed by customers of many high-speed Internet service providers.
ESPN360 leverages ESPN-branded content to deliver high-quality video, featuring exclusive and live programming, unique behind-the-scenes coverage, and in-depth analysis from ESPN commentators. ESPN 360 also offers fans access to single and multi-player video games, and the ability to customize content according to their interests.
Among the current Internet service providers carrying ESPN360 programming are Adelphia, Beld, Bend, Charter, Frontier, Grande, Knology, Mid-Hudson, MediaCom, Spencer, Municipal Utilities, Starstream Communications, SusCom, Us Cable and Verizon.
This will be the 100th live event aired on ESPN 360 in 2005, and the network will be rolling in production trucks, announcers and a production team to give the broadcast the feel of any ESPN televised event.
"I am extremely excited that many loyal Bison fans around the nation will be able to tune in to what should be an extraordinary night of basketball in Sojka Pavilion," said Bucknell director of athletics and recreation John Hardt. "The high-speed, customizable broadband service offered by ESPN360 could be the future of televised sporting events, and it is a wonderful opportunity for Bucknell to be able to take advantage of this medium."
"This is a truly remarkable feat to have our 100th live event of the year be the match-up of two top programs - Villanova and Bucknell," commented Len Mead, director of new media content at ESPN. "ESPN360 sets a new standard for live events available on broadband. This year, we have produced twice as many games as we did last year and we look forward to satisfying the appetites of college basketball fans across the country."
Both Bucknell and Villanova are experiencing renewed success on the hardwood. The Bison are coming off a 23-10 season, a Patriot League championship and their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, a 64-63 upset of third-seeded Kansas last March. With all five starters back, Bucknell is off to a 4-0 start, including a 74-69 victory over No. 17 Syracuse on Nov. 22 in the Carrier Dome.
The Bison, who play at DePaul on Saturday, have now knocked off three top-20 teams since last January, and although they are listed just outside the top 25 in both the Associated Press (29th) and ESPN/USA TODAY Coaches' Polls (32nd), they are receiving the most votes in school history.
Coached by 1983 Bucknell graduate Jay Wright, Villanova is playing at its highest level since winning the national championship in 1985. The Wildcats finished 24-8 last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, where they lost a 67-66 decision to eventual national champion North Carolina.
This year, Villanova was picked as the preseason favorite in the Big East. The Wildcats are 3-0 after victories over Stony Brook, Lehigh and Rider. Villanova, which will be the highest-ranked team ever to play at Bucknell, hosts Oklahoma on Saturday at 5 p.m. on ESPN.
