The clock is ticking on the start of Arizona women's basketball 2024-25 season and Wednesday's news makes it seem that much closer. The Big 12 released game times for all conference matchups, as well as details on which games will be broadcast on linear (broadcast or cable) TV.
With only 16 days before the Wildcats first exhibition game — that is one Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. at McKale Center against West Texas A&M — most of the UA schedule, with the exception of the two exhibition matchups, will be streamed this season on ESPN+.
The official home opener against UT Arlington, which is a doubleheader with Arizona men's team, is on Nov. 4 and will be played at 4 p.m. The men's game follows at 8 p.m.
Only one Big 12 conference game will be televised on linear TV: a Jan. 31 matchup at former Pac-12 foe Utah. That game starts at 6:30 p.m. and will air on FS1. This will be the one of two Big 12 games on that channel (the other is TCU at Iowa State on Feb. 2), as the rest of the conference's "nationally televised" games — 19 in all across the 16-team league — are on either FOX, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
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Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) is defended by Utah forward Alissa Pili (35) and guard Kennady McQueen (24) in the first half of the Wildcats’ 71-70 overtime upset last season of the No. 15 Utes on Jan. 7 at McKale Center.
While it may surprise some that Arizona is only playing on linear TV once this season during conference play, it's nothing new. Last season, the Wildcats only had one game broadcast nationally, a Feb. 12 tilt at USC on ESPN2. Prior to that, there were a few years the Wildcats had two league games in a single season air on the ESPN family of channels.
Of the former Pac-12 schools, only Utah plays on linear TV twice, with the other game at BYU on Jan. 25 on ESPNU. Colorado also has one game televised on ESPNU on Feb 2. against Texas Tech. ASU's games will only be on ESPN+.
Arizona will be on cable during the Wildcats' nonconference slate, as the UA's games at the Palm Springs, California-area Acrisure Classic will be broadcast on truTV and steamed on Max on Nov. 26 at 2:30 p.m. and Nov. 27 at either 12:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.
Three of Arizona's nonconference away games — UC San Diego on Nov. 10, Chicago State on Nov. 16 and NAU on Nov. 20 — still don't have a streaming option; the Wildcats' matchups with Chicago State, at Oklahoma State (Feb. 12) and at ASU (March 1), are still awaiting game times.
Coach Adia Barnes laughs as her team runs drills during the first official practice for the Arizona women’s basketball team at McKale Center on Sept. 23.
The women's basketball team has four home doubleheaders at McKale Center with the men's team this season — opening night and three during conference play. On Saturday, Jan. 11, the women will play Iowa State at 2 p.m., with the men playing UCF at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 25, the men play Colorado at 1 p.m., while the women play West Virginia at 6:30 p.m. Lastly, on Saturday, Feb. 8, the women play ASU at 2 p.m. and the men follow with Texas Tech at 8 p.m.
