Unlike last year, Pitt will not be a regular on the ESPN family this season. This means if you live outside of the Pittsburgh market and want to see the team more than 4 times on ESPN this season you will have to pay.

I’ve been debating taking the plunge on ESPN Full Court — the college basketball pay-per-view package. It’s a rapidly approaching, initial deadline, since the “early-bird” deal of $99 for the season ends on November 18. After that, it’s $109 — not going to happen. Or I can wait and order the “half-season” after January 6 for $75.

Because of the (expected to be) easy non-con opponents on the schedule and Pitt’s expected struggles, most of Pitt’s games are still not being televised. Only 4 of Pitt’s 11 non-con games are going to be on TV.

According to the Full Court Schedule (PDF), Pitt will be on 13 times. For the full season with the “discount” that’s about $7.61 a game. The thing is, only 3 of those games will take place before the mid-point — Penn State (Dec. 10), Wisconsin (Dec. 31) and ND (January 4).

Buying the mid-point package puts it about $7.50 a game, but I really wanted to see the Wisconsin game. I’m still shocked that ESPN or CBS didn’t pick that game up for viewing. Seems like one of the few good non-con games at that point.

I am leaning strongly towards making the trip for the Penn State game anyways — it would also be my first time at the Pete — so that makes that a waste.

I just can’t justify another $24 dollars for 2 games, so it looks like the best bet is to stick with waiting until January and slipping the half-season onto the cable bill. Actually, looking at the full schedule, unless you just like watching as much college basketball as possible without regard for the teams, it isn’t worth it for most teams to do much more than the half-season package.