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The 76 Classic -- yet another of ESPN's made-for-television preseason tournaments -- tips off today in Anaheim, and since WSU is part of the field, we've got everything you need to know about the schedule, game times and television coverage.
ESPN gets a lot of crap for some of its antics -- and deservedly so -- but one thing the Worldwide Leader does very well is create interesting matchups in these tournaments. You'd get a lot of stinkers when these tournaments were run by a couple of dozen different promoters, but now that ESPN controls most of them, it's in their best interest to create compelling games for television.
While the 76 Classic doesn't feature the highest profile programs, and most of the first round games aren't real compelling, it's got a nice mix of teams likely to make the NCAA tournament, average-level teams from big conferences, and a couple of patsies that figures to set up some nice matchups later in the bracket.
First Round Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 24 | All times PDT | Rankings via kenpom.com
Game 1: Boston College Eagles (250) vs. Saint Louis Billikens (30) -- 11 a.m., ESPNU
Game 2: Villanova Wildcats (47) vs. UC Riverside Highlanders (228) -- 1:30 p.m., WatchESPN.com
Game 3: New Mexico Lobos (42) vs. Santa Clara Broncos (159) -- 6 p.m., ESPNU
Game 4: Washington St. Cougars (81) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (87) -- 8:30 p.m., ESPN2
Second Round Schedule
Friday, Nov. 25 | All times PDT
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 -- 11:30 a.m., ESPN
Game 6: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 -- 2 p.m., ESPN2
Game 7: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 -- 6:30 p.m., ESPNU
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 -- 9 p.m., ESPN2
Final Round Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 27 | All times PDT
Game 9: Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7 -- 10:30 a.m.
Game 10, Third Place: Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7 -- 1 p.m., ESPNU
Game 11: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8 -- 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
Game 12, First Place: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 8 -- 6 p.m., ESPN2