Earlier this year, ESPN’s networks were all over the FIFA World Cup. It won’t get as much attention here and worldwide, but basketball’s world championships take place in Turkey starting Saturday and will continue into next month. All 80 games can be seen online through ESPN3.com, provided your internet service provider has a deal with ESPN. If not, then you’ll have to find other ways to see games online.
However, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Classic will air the games on TV including every contest involving the USA as long as the team is in the tournament. Like the 2008 Olympic team, this is coached by Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski. Here’s the ESPN press release.
2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship Tips Off Aug. 28All 80 Games Available Live on ESPN3.comESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Classic will combine to televise at least 11 games from the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, including every game featuring the USA World Championship Team, the semifinals, third-place game and championship game. Action begins Saturday, Aug. 28, when the United States faces Croatia live on ESPN Classic at noon ET (re-airing at 11 p.m. on ESPN2). Additionally, for the first time, all 80 tournament games will be available live on ESPN3.com, ESPN’s broadband network.ESPN’s international basketball expert Fran Fraschilla will provide analysis for all telecasts, with Marc Kestecher and Kevin Connors sharing play-by-play.The 2010 USA World Championship Team, led by defending NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and fellow NBA All-Stars Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets), Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics) and Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), will attempt to avenge the team’s bronze medal finish during the 2006 World Championship. The United States Men’s Senior National Team went on to win the gold medal during the 2008 Olympic Games.ESPN’s 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship Schedule
(subject to change; all games available via ESPN3.com)
Sat, Aug 28 – 12 p.m., Croatia vs. U.S.A. (Connors/Fraschilla), ESPN Classic (re-airs at 11 p.m., ESPN2)Sun, Aug 29 – 9:30 a.m., U.S.A. vs. Slovenia (Kestecher, Fraschilla), ESPN2 (re-airs at 6 p.m., ESPN2)Mon, Aug 30 – 2:30 p.m., Brazil vs. U.S.A. (Kestecher, Fraschilla), ESPN (re-airs at 11 p.m., ESPN2)Wed, Sept 1 – 12 p.m., U.S.A. vs. Iran (Kestecher, Fraschilla), ESPN (re-airs at 11 p.m., ESPN2)Thu, Sept 2 – 9:30 a.m., Tunisia vs. U.S.A. (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN2(re-airs at 12:30 a.m., ESPN2)*Sun, Sept 5 or Mon, Sept 6 – 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., U.S.A. vs. TBD (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN Classic or ESPN2 (re-airs at 11 p.m., ESPN2)*Wed, Sept 8 or Thu, Sept 9 – 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., U.S.A. vs. TBD (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN (re-airs at 11 p.m., ESPN2, if Sept 8; 1:30 a.m., ESPN2, if Sept 9)Sat, Sept 11 – 12 p.m., Semifinal #1 (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN Classic (re-airs at 1:30 a.m., ESPN2)Sat, Sept 11 – 2:30 p.m., Semifinal #2 (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN Classic (re-airs at 9 a.m., ESPN2, Sept 12)Sun, Sept 12 – 12 p.m., Third-Place Game (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN Classic (re-airs at 5 p.m., ESPN2)Sun, Sept 12 – 2:30 p.m., Championship Game (Kestecher/Fraschilla), ESPN (re-airs at 7 p.m., ESPN2)
*eighth-round and quarterfinal telecast dates/times contingent upon the United States’ performance in the preliminary round
That is it for this release.
