The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program has announced broadcast information and start times for the majority of the 2024-25 schedule.
The Beacons will play a nationally-televised contest the day after Thanksgiving as the game at DePaul, which tips at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29 in Chicago, will air on FS1. In addition, Valpo will make its first-ever appearance on Peacock, an NBC-owned streaming platform, on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Ohio State at 7 p.m. CT in Columbus, Ohio.
In conference play, Valpo’s home finale and Senior Night game vs. Bradley on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center will be televised regionally on the MVC TV Network. New this year, the conference has partnered with Gray Media for linear distribution of MVC TV Network contests.
Valpo’s first home game of the calendar year 2025 on Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. UNI at 3 p.m. will air on ESPN+ as part of the conference-selected “Valley on ESPN Exclusive” package.
Six additional conference games are still under consideration for national television distribution. The start times and television designations for the following contests will be announced approximately two weeks prior to the game – Jan. 18 vs. UIC, Feb. 1 at Illinois State, Feb. 8 vs. Murray State, Feb. 16 at Evansville, Feb. 22 at Southern Illinois and March 2 at UIC.
The early-December home game vs. Drake has been locked in for Thursday, Dec. 5. The date was previously listed as TBD. The game will start at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN+.
The exhibition game on Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods will only be broadcast on radio. The season opener on Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Liberty at 4 p.m. in Xenia, Ohio will be broadcast on TotalAthleteTipOff.com through YouTube.
All seven home nonconference games will air on ESPN+. The following home nonconference games will tip at 7 p.m. – Concordia Ann Arbor (Friday, Nov. 8), Cleveland State (Tuesday, Nov. 12) and Lindenwood (Thursday, Nov. 21). The four other games will be matinees – Eastern Illinois (Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.), Northern Illinois (Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.), Central Michigan (Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.) and Calumet College of St. Joseph (Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m.).
All known start times and broadcast information can be found by clicking here. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.
Todd Ickow, in his 34th year calling Valpo Athletics, will handle the play-by-play for home games on ESPN+. He’ll be joined by Jamie (Gutowski) Stangel, who is in her fourth year as the primary ESPN+ analyst for Valpo men’s basketball. She was a standout on the Valpo women’s basketball team from 2002-2006.
Every game, home and road, will air on radio courtesy of Valpo Athletics, Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment and WVUR 95.1 FM Valparaiso. Ickow and Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications Brandon Vickrey will team up for the radio call of road games again this season, while student broadcasters and/or Ickow will handle home games on the radio.
