ESPN’s 4K College Basketball Game of the Week: Houston vs. Iowa State
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.
TV Answer Man, any news from ESPN on the 4K game of the week? – Joe, Dayton, Ohio.
Joe, ESPN this Saturday (February 22) will offer an upscaled 4K broadcast of the men’s college basketball game between fifth ranked Houston (22-4) and eighth ranked Iowa State (21-5) from the Fertitta Center on the Houston campus. (ESPN’s main channel will simulcast the game in High Definition for those who don’t have 4K access.)
When Will the Houston-Iowa State Game Start?
The game will tip off on Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m. ET.
Who’s Expected to Win?
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Houston an 80 percent chance of winning.
Key Players to Watch In the Houston-Iowa State Game
Iowa State is led by 6’4″ senior guard Curtis Jones who’s averaging 17.6 points a game while Houston is led by 6’1″ senior guard L.J. Cryer who’s averaging 14.3 points a game. Iowa State as a team is averaging 81.4 points a game while Houston is averaging 75.2.
Where to Watch Houston vs. Iowa State in 4K
Several TV providers will carry the ESPN 4K broadcast, including:
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YouTube TV
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Dish
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Sling TV
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DIRECTV
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DIRECTV Stream
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Comcast
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Optimum
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Verizon
What Is Upscaled 4K And How Does It Work?
The ESPN 4K broadcast will be ‘upscaled’ from 1080p HD. The upscaled 4K means that the game will be produced in 1080p HD on site and upgraded to 4K for the home transmission. ESPN switched to upscaled 4K more than a year ago after previously doing some games in native 4K.
Is Upscaled 4K Worth Watching?
Yes. From personal experience, I can assure you the picture is better. The high-def image from ESPN sometimes lacks detail and makes you wonder if it’s actually in high-def. However, the upscaled 4K image usually removes the blurriness and adds a realistic feel to the picture.
Joe, hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!
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