Men’s Basketball: Wildcats finalize tip times and television coverage

With the release of ESPN’s Big Ten programming this year, Northwestern finalized its tip times and television coverage for this upcoming season.

With the announcement of today's ESPN B1G slate, Northwestern's 2016-17 schedule is now complete. Check it out! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/3eNxTZk4IB

— NU Men's Basketball (@NUMensBball) September 21, 2016

The Wildcats will have 19 games on the Big Ten Network over the course of the season. In addition, NU will have 3 games covered by ESPN. The Cats’ two match-ups against Rutgers on Jan. 12 and Feb. 18 will both be on ESPNU, while their game at Penn State on Dec. 27 will feature on ESPN2.

The schedule this year poses some different challenges for NU this season. After taking out Wisconsin at home in arguable their strongest win of the season, the Cats will have to travel to Madison to play the Badgers on the road this year. In addition, NU will lose its home-court advantage that it had against Michigan State last season, as the Cats will travel to play the Spartans on Dec. 30.

However, Northwestern does have some home games that may play to its advantage. In changes from last season, Iowa comes to Evanston to play at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Jan. 15, and NU will get Michigan at home this year late in the season on Mar. 1.

Until then, the Cats will look to tip things off in their home opener against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m.