For Wichita State basketball fans on the fence about whether to commit to an ESPN+ subscription, the answer to their question came Tuesday.
The American Conference released its finalized television schedule and tip times with a clear message: If you want to watch the Shockers all season long, an ESPN+ subscription is no longer optional — it’s necessary.
The Wichita State men’s basketball schedule release with tip times and television assignments. Taylor Eldridge The Wichita Eagle
Of WSU’s 31 regular-season games, at least 15 will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+, including at least seven nonconference games and eight league matchups. That means nearly half the season will require a subscription to the $12.99-per-month streaming service.
The shift isn’t unique to Wichita State. It’s part of a broader trend in the American — and across college basketball — where streaming has become a major platform for live broadcasts.
The good news for traditionalists: There will be more linear TV games this season than last year. The Shockers will have 10 conference games on ESPN’s family of networks (ESPN2 or ESPNU), up from just eight a year ago and the third-most of any team in the conference.
Fans can also catch Wichita State’s three Battle 4 Atlantis games in the Bahamas on the main ESPN networks, along with an 11 a.m. Dec. 13 game vs. DePaul on ESPNU.
Road matchups at Boise State (Nov. 18) and Northern Iowa (Dec. 6) are still awaiting TV assignments and could be picked up by linear television as well.
For those who prefer watching in person, there’s more reason than ever to make the trip to Koch Arena this season with nine weekend home games — the most since the 2019-20 season, including seven Saturday home contests, something that hasn’t happened since the 2003-04 season.
The Shockers open the season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 against UNC Asheville, a game that will be streamed on ESPN+.
Here’s a look at the conference home schedule, which features a fan-friendly mix of weeknight and weekend tip times at Koch Arena:
- Jan. 7 (Wed) – 6:30 p.m. vs. Rice
- Jan. 11 (Sun) – 2 p.m. vs. North Texas
- Jan. 21 (Wed) – 6:30 p.m. vs. East Carolina
- Jan. 24 (Sat) – 3 p.m. vs. Memphis
- Feb. 4 (Wed) – 6:30 p.m. vs. Charlotte
- Feb. 11 (Wed) – 6:30 p.m. vs. South Florida
- Feb. 14 (Sat) – 6 p.m. vs. Tulsa
- Feb. 21 (Sat) – 5 p.m. vs. Temple
- March 7 (Sat) – 3 p.m. vs. Florida Atlantic
WSU is entering the third season under head coach Paul Mills with essentially a brand-new roster that was picked by league coaches to finish fifth in the American.
This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM.
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Taylor Eldridge
The Wichita Eagle
Wichita State athletics beat reporter. Bringing you closer to the Shockers you love and inside the sports you love to watch.
