SoCon Announces Men's Basketball National Television Package

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team will be featured in one of nine The Southern Conference (SoCon) games to be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network, ESPN2 or ESPNU this season. The 10^th game is set for a wildcard matchup on Saturday, Feb. 14, that ESPN will choose and be announced by the SoCon Office on Jan. 30.

"We are proud that SoCon basketball will receive exceptional national exposure this season with 10 regular season games across ESPN and CBS Sports Network," said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. "Visibility on two of the most respected brands in sports media is a direct reflection of the consistently elite level of play that defines our conference. The Southern Conference has earned its reputation for championship-caliber basketball, and the entire country will be able to see why 'It's All Here' in the SoCon. The combination of exceptional coaching, fierce competition and student-athletes who excel both on the court and in the classroom showcases the very best of what college basketball should be.

"This national platform not only elevates our member institutions exposure but reinforces the Southern Conference's standing among the nation's top basketball conferences."
 
Five regular season games will air on either ESPN2 or ESPNU in 2026, while five will air on CBS Sports Network. The final game of the package will air on February 14 – a Wildcard ESPNU matchup that will be chosen by ESPN and announced by the SoCon office on January 30.

Head Coach Mike Jones will lead the Spartans during his fifth year with the Blue & Gold. Jones and UNCG went 20-12 overall and 13-5 in the SoCon at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
 
This was the eighth year out of nine with 20 or more wins for the Spartans and third year out of four under Coach Jones winning 20 or more games.
 
Nationally, UNCG was ranked 14th in three point percentage defense (30.1), 15th in field goal percentage defense (40.0), 25th in scoring defense (65.4), 26th in turnovers per game (9.9) and 32nd three point percentage (37.2). 
 
The Spartans welcome back three returners from the 2025-26 roster, adding 12 to this year's squad.
 
UNCG begins its 2025-26 season traveling to the Midwest to face Big 12 foe Kansas State for the first time in program history on Nov. 4 at Bramlage Coliseum. The Spartans will host Triad foe Elon on Nov. 8 inside Fleming Gymnasium for their home opener.

2025-2026 SoCon National Television Games (All Times Eastern)
CBS Sports Network
Wednesday, January 7 – Furman at Chattanooga (5:00 pm)
Saturday, January 17 – ETSU at Samford (2:00 pm)
Thursday, January 29 – Samford at Furman (5:00 pm)
Saturday, January 31 – ETSU at Wofford (2:00 pm)
Wednesday, February 11 – Chattanooga at ETSU (7:00 pm)

ESPN2
Sunday, February 1 – Chattanooga at Furman (1:00 pm)
Sunday, February 8 – UNCG at Furman (1:00 pm)

ESPNU
Wednesday, January 21 – ETSU at Chattanooga (7:00 pm)
Saturday, January 24 – Chattanooga at Samford (8:00 pm)
Saturday, February 14 – Wildcard Matchup (Noon) *
* Teams for ESPNU Wildcard Matchup will be announced by SoCon office on January 30