New College Sports Network

[sports.espn.go.com]

only a year behind cstv, but i still bet it'll reach most cable markets first.

it mentions hockey, but with espn's history i'm sure it'll be minimal. still-any added exposure can only help, and maybe it'll improve the frozen four coverage somehow.

This is likely bad news in the long run. CSTV's success obviously prompted ESPN to copy it. With the resources it has behind it, ESPNU will likely outprice CSTV (and also be better distributed), leading to the folding of CSTV or purchase by ESPN (like with the Classic Sports Network). CSTV, at the least, has shown an interest in college hockey, probably because they knew they wouldn't have great opportunities in hoops and football. ESPNU may not have the same interest, particularly once CSTV disappears, since it has plenty of access through its affiliates to the bigger sports.

Agreed. And considering how many games they have available I'd surprised if ESPNU wasn't all squeakball, all the time in the winter.

actually, NCAA basketball (outside of the Ivy League and a few other small conferences) isn't often played on Friday nights. Taking a quick look at a few major programs' schedules, UCLA only has 1 Friday night game this season (New Year's Eve), UConn doesn't have any Friday night games, and Maryland only has 2 (both early-season non-conference games). In the winter, that could leave Friday nights open for hockey.