When you have something special, people tend to take notice. That is what happened when ESPN and the NCAA decided to broadcast Saturday’s game between No. 1 Lincoln Memorial University and No. 2 Queens on their ESPN 3 streaming platform.

The women’s game is slated to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday inside Tex Turner Arena. Tip-off for the men’s game is scheduled for 4 p.m.

“I don’t think it gets much bigger. Not only ESPN coming in to broadcast, this game was chosen. It’s one of the two flex weeks that the NCAA has, so they had their pick of any Division II game and those chose this doubleheader between LMU and Queens,” said LMU Athletic Director Matt Green. “I think you add to that the implications of national No. 1 vs. No. 2, implications of a conference championship on the line and the fact that this will be the 15th time in the history of Division II the No. 1 and No. 2 teams have played.

“It’s a rare event and it’s happening in Harrogate, Tennessee with everything on the line in terms of a conference championship and possible regional host. So, I don’t think it gets much bigger.”

While the game within itself is big for the two teams competing, it is another chance for Lincoln Memorial to gain exposure on a national level. With the game being broadcast on ESPN 3, it is a chance for the school to highlight the LMU community.

“We get to highlight, not only Tex Turner Arena and the men’s basketball program, but we get to highlight what LMU is all about,” said Green. “We get to highlight what this community is all about. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the best of who we are, and we have a lot of good things to let the people know about LMU and this community. I think there’s a lot we can take from this and a lot that we have to be proud of.”

In addition to the student body attending the game, having a large community presence is important as well.

“I have to credit Kate Reagan in public relations because she has really taken the bull by the horns and reached out to the community. (She has) taken out ads in local paper (and) sponsored 800 white t-shirts that we are going to be able to provide to fans when they come in for this white out that we’re having Saturday,” said Green. “It’s a big deal and a big task, so we have to rely on a lot of people to help us out and spread the word.”

For an event of this size, it takes a collective effort for the staff. Likened to the hosting the regional tournament a couple of years ago, you have to have buy in from everyone on campus.

From the information systems department, to the public relations office, to Sigmon Communications, getting what is needed to put on an event of this nature takes effort from everyone.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN