When one of basketball’s brightest stars steps into the spotlight, it doesn’t just shift the game—it reshapes schedules. This weekend, ESPN upended its entire lineup, with college basketball making way for a new era. Which era, you ask?
Well, none other than ‘Luka Magic’ in Los Angeles! No doubt, by now, you are well-acquainted with everything surrounding the groundbreaking Mavs-Lakers trade. Naturally, it had mixed reactions, both from the athletes involved as well as their fan base. But once everyone managed to move past the shocking incident, the man himself seemed appreciative of the change.
“This is the Lakers. It’s one of the best clubs in history,” Luka Doncic declared at his press conference. The Slovenian superstar has always known how to command attention, and his latest chapter is no different. Only it might not be how a certain group might view it.
In a tweet by ESPN PR, they notified everyone of a programming change: “Programming Update: Saturday’s #NCAAMBB slate has been adjusted due to the addition of #NBA’s Pacers-Lakers on ESPN.”
You don’t need us to spell it out for you, now, do we?
Programming Update: Saturday’s #NCAAMBB slate has been adjusted due to the addition of #NBA‘s Pacers-Lakers on ESPN
Updated schedule here: https://t.co/Gguht8tkhB pic.twitter.com/TwCmyAV0PR
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 5, 2025
ESPN originally scheduled the top-10 SEC matchup between No. 1 Auburn and No. 6 Florida for 4 p.m. ET on its main network. However, the NBA’s scheduling shuffle and Doncic’s debut as a Laker pushed the college game to ESPN2. In other words, the back burner.
The Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, for his part, further emphasized the magnitude of Luka Doncic’s arrival, calling the union between him and the Lakers a “seismic” event that will bring “basketball joy to the world.” He envisions kids from Barcelona to Shanghai wearing Doncic’s No. 77 Lakers jersey, a testament to the global appeal of the 25-year-old.
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, in college hoops, all bets are on. The tension does not fizzle out within the heart as the No. 1 Auburn Tigers clash head-on with the No. 6 Florida Gators. The much-awaited battle between these two sports powerhouses promises a rivalry. This would heat up at the last minute, even when the focus shifted to pros.
No. 1 Auburn and No. 6 Florida college basketball clash
Auburn is riding a 14-game winning streak and has been dominant all season. On Saturday, the Tigers showcased their strength in college basketball, dominating Oklahoma 98-70. The win highlighted their defensive strength. Dylan Cardwell blocked six shots, while Johni Broome filled the stat sheet once again. “I just threw it to the rim,” Jones said with a laugh. “I had no idea he was going to try to reverse that.”
Johni Broome, Auburn‘s star big man and a national player of the year candidate, stuffed the stat sheet yet again, finishing with 15 points, six assists, five rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. Oklahoma coach Porter Moser summed it up perfectly: “They‘ve got size, physicality, and shooters everywhere. They’re a complete team.”
The Tigers also had an outstanding offense, making 68.1% of two-point attempts in the first half. Up next for Auburn is Florida, one of the SEC’s toughest teams to move the ball. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl acknowledged the challenge, saying, “Florida is the toughest, most physical team in our league. Todd Golden’s teams play hard and tough. That’s our next challenge.”
While the Auburn-Florida game remains an event for all college basketball lovers, ESPN’s Lakers decision reminds everyone of the constant tug-of-war between collegiate and professional games for prime time. Well, business is business, we suppose. What do you make of it, though?
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