ESPN Strikes Gold With Tip-Off Marathon

Imagine my glee when I turned on ESPN last night at midnight and found myself witnessing the opening tip of Massachusetts and Memphis. ESPN, which has authored many failed ideas and gimmicks in the past, has found something that works in its Tip-Off Marathon, which amounts to a full day of college basketball on its family of networks. Following the Memphis game (which the Tigers pulled away from the Minutemen to win by 22), coverage of Fresno State-St. Mary's and Hawaii-Idaho State kept the Worldwide Leader in Sports busy with college hoops until 6 a.m. The action continues until tonight's battle in Chapel Hill between top-ranked North Carolina and Kentucky. In the past, college basketball has always eased itself into the sports consciousness at the beginning of its year. A notable preseason tournament, such as the Preseason NIT, has always kicked off coverage, but with other preseason tournaments popping up around the country like popcorn, their impact has been diluted a bit. To solve the ... (link)