ESPN GameDay going to Wichita for Panthers vs Shockers

Speculation on where ESPN's College GameDay would host its show on Feb. 28 started circulating a week or so ago, and what could potentially work out as the regular season Missouri Valley Championship game between No. 11 Northern Iowa and No. 13 Wichita State in Wichita was among those being talked about as a favorite.

ESPN made it official on Saturday, announcing the show would go live from Charles Koch Arena at 10 a.m. on ESPN, with a taped show at 9 a.m. on ESPNU.

It will mark the first time for either school to be on the popular preview show, and make the second Iowa school to be featured on the program this season. GameDay visited Iowa State's campus for the Cyclones' game against Kansas on Jan. 17.

Below is the full release from Wichita State Athletics on GameDay info:

'WICHITA, Kan. -- ESPN's College GameDay Covered by State Farm - the Saturday morning and evening roadshow that discusses the top storylines of the college basketball season - will originate from Charles Koch Arena, Home of Devlin Court, on Feb. 28, in advance of the No. 13 Wichita State vs. No. 11 Northern Iowa matchup (1 p.m. Central Time, ESPN).

The Shockers will be hosting the morning editions of GameDay at 9 a.m. CT on ESPNU and continuing live at 10 a.m. CT on ESPN.

'This is a win, not only for our basketball program and our university, but for the entire community,” WSU Director of Athletic, Eric Sexton said. 'We're thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our team, facility, campus and city before a national audience.”

'To me, the most exciting part about hosting GameDay is that we get to shine some of the spotlight onto our incredible fans,” WSU head coach, Gregg Marshall added. 'I know, without a doubt, that Shocker Nation will rise to the occasion on Saturday morning.”

The WSU-UNI contest is officially sold out, but fans without game tickets may still attend GameDay. This is a free event, and all seating is general admission.

Standard reserved parking procedures will apply for the entire day. Fans with SASO parking passes may park in their normal spots upon arrival.

Shuttles will run from the arena to the metropolitan complex between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.wichita.edu/shuttle.

WSU students with valid student I.D. will be admitted at 8:15 a.m. through the east entrance. Doors to all other entrances will open at 8:30 a.m.

All fans will be asked to clear the arena at the conclusion of the show. The gates will reopen for those with valid game tickets approximately 90 minutes prior to tipoff.

The evening College GameDay show, beginning at 4 p.m. on ESPN, will originate from Lawrence, Kan., prior to the No. 8 Kansas vs. Texas game.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith will join College GameDay host Rece Davis and analysts Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg and Jay Williams for the morning editions. Davis, Bilas, Williams and Smith will then travel to Lawrence for the evening show.

Rich Hollenberg, Greenberg and Mark Adams will have the call of the Wichita State-Northern Iowa game.

IMPORTANT INFO:

' Saturday, February 28

' Free admission

' Doors open at 8:15 a.m. for WSU students and 8:30 a.m. for all others

' Students use east entrance

' General public use all other entrances

' Standard gameday parking rules apply for reserved lots.

' Metropolitan Complex shuttle route will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

' ESPNU Broadcast - 9-10 a.m. CT (previously taped and shown on the video board)

' ESPN Broadcast - 10-11 a.m. (live)

' Koch Arena must be completely cleared following the show”

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com