More hoops than Wham-O. (Remote Patrol).

ESPN doesn't own college basketball. It just seems that way.

While CBS holds rights to the holy grail of March Madness, ESPN Inc. literally owns tournaments--the Jimmy V Classic(s), Big Ten-ACC Challenge, Big Ten-Big 12 Women's Challenge, All-College Classic and Pepsi Challenge. ESPN applies its same patented business model to the Las Vegas Bowl, Great Outdoor Games, Skins Game, X Games, ESPYs, etc. These owned-and-operated tournaments attract choice teams/athletes, because they know they'll get ESPN exposure ... which makes for rewarding TV.

"CBS" objective is just showing games pointing toward the NCAAs," explains Burk Magnus, ESPN's head of college basketball programming/ acquisitions. "It's our cornerstone from November to mid-March."

Also: ESPN didn't invent college basketball, just Dick Vitale. But it has trained a generation to set calendars by Big Monday, Super Tuesday, Rivalry Week, Judgment Week and Championship Week (now nine days long). This season's made-for-TV catch phrase is Bracket Buster Saturday--interconference games February 22, showcasing 18 teams from mid-majors trying to get their power ratings up. The matchups won't be set until February 3. Of course, ESPN facilitates the scheduling.

CBS' limited Big Ten/SEC schedule tips off in December. ABC has 21 cherry-picked ...