Should Shocker Fans Invest in ESPN+? Analyzing This Year’s Schedule
Wichita State basketball fans need to consider an ESPN+ subscription this season to follow their team effectively. The American Athletic Conference has released a television schedule that highlights the necessity of streaming services for live games. This year, 15 out of the 31 regular-season games for the Shockers will be exclusively available on ESPN+, including numerous critical matchups.
ESPN+ Subscription Details
The cost for an ESPN+ subscription is $12.99 monthly. With nearly half of Wichita State’s games requiring this service for viewing, fans are encouraged to commit quickly.
Wichita State’s Schedule Overview
- Regular-Season Games: 31 total
- Exclusively on ESPN+: 15 games
- Monthly Subscription: $12.99
Among these games, there will be at least seven non-conference and eight league encounters. The trend of reliance on streaming services, however, is not isolated to Wichita State. It reflects a larger movement in college basketball, where streaming is becoming a primary outlet for broadcasts.
Traditional Broadcasts Making a Comeback
Despite the streaming shift, traditional broadcasts will still be part of the season. Wichita State has 10 conference games set to air on ESPN’s family of networks, an increase from the eight games aired in the prior season. This positions the Shockers among the top teams in the American Athletic Conference regarding traditional broadcasts.
Key Games to Watch
Fans can also anticipate watching the Shockers in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas. Additionally, an intriguing matchup against DePaul is scheduled for December 13, airing on ESPNU.
Upcoming Home Games
Wichita State has scheduled nine weekend home games this season. This marks the most weekend games since 2019-20. Notably, seven of these contests are on Saturdays, a feature not seen since the 2003-04 season.
Important Dates
The Shockers will kick off their season on November 4 at 6:30 p.m. against UNC Asheville, a game that will also be streamed on ESPN+.
Conference Home Schedule Highlights
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 7 (Wed) | Rice | 6:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 11 (Sun) | North Texas | 2 p.m. |
| Jan. 21 (Wed) | East Carolina | 6:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 24 (Sat) | Memphis | 3 p.m. |
| Feb. 4 (Wed) | Charlotte | 6:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 11 (Wed) | South Florida | 6:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 14 (Sat) | Tulsa | 6 p.m. |
| Feb. 21 (Sat) | Temple | 5 p.m. |
| March 7 (Sat) | Florida Atlantic | 3 p.m. |
As the Shockers enter the third season under head coach Paul Mills, fans should prepare for an exciting lineup with a restructured roster. The league’s head coaches predict a fifth-place finish for the team in the American Athletic Conference, heightening the anticipation for the upcoming season. Investing in an ESPN+ subscription appears crucial for fans eager to support their team throughout this exciting journey.
