Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 31, 1990 TAG: 9003310087
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
While you're watching one Final Four, here's another to consider - two play-by-play men and two game analysts who have had very good seasons. They are completely subjective choices, of course, not much different from some of the seedings in the NCAA Tournament.
My game-callers are Tim Brando of ESPN and James Brown of CBS. If there's one analyst I'd want to call a game this season, it would be Bill Raftery of CBS and ESPN. Or, there's an old reliable, Billy Packer of CBS.
What about Brent and Marv, you ask? How about Coach Al and Dicky V?
I'm not talking glamour here. I'm not talking networks. I'm talking talking heads who know the game, keep up with the game, and - most importantly - add something to the game without distracting viewers from it. That isn't to say others aren't PTPers. Dan Bonner, the former Virginia forward who lives in Staunton, is solid and treats the game as a game. Now, if only ESPN would recognize that.
But let's get to the season's best:
Brando\ Brando - The best thing about this guy is that he not only has developed into a first-rate game-caller, he also is able to work a game with Dick Vitale, score his own points and still find time to feed the biggest gunner in the business. Brando recognizes game flow and telecast flow and is genuinely enthusiastic. When Vitale is losing control, Brando changes subjects and pulls the game back from the precipice. Some people say Brando talks too much. But when he talks, he tells you something.
Brown\ Brown - The Harvard graduate and former DeMatha High player has spent so much time in the studio that he hadn't blossomed on play-by-play until this season. Brown knows hoops and is relaxed, and he isn't afraid to jab his courtside partner during slow moments or goad the analyst into expressing an opinion. His homework is obvious on every telecast. Although he called Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson "Nolan Ryan" during last week's Midwest Regional, Brown has combined with Raftery to form CBS Sports' best team during the tournament, just ahead of NBA regulars Dick Stockton and Hubie Brown.
\ Raftery - People forget that Raftery, not Vitale, was the ESPN studio host during the cable network's first year with the Raftery NCAA, 1980. The former Seton Hall coach "talks" the game as well as anyone. Whether he's working a Big East game with Mike Gorman, an ACC game with Mike Patrick or a CBS game with Brown, he gives you more than X's and O's. When you listen to Raftery work a game, you say to yourself, "This guy's really having fun." Unlike many other analysts, Raftery isn't into kissing up to coaches, either. Two years ago, he established his reputation by taking on a big man, Georgetown's John Thompson, about the Hoyas' bullying tactics.
\ Packer - Yes, Packer remains too serious on the air. The Final Four isn't World War IV. But he dissects a game as well as anyone on the tube has or does. Packer This is Packer's 16th Final Four, and he deserves the assignment. He's consistent, and his analysis in CBS' string of to-the-wire finals has been superb. My criticism of Packer is his constant shilling for and defense of coaches in troubled programs. When Brent Musburger turns to Packer for an overview, you're going to get it.
\ Best game call - Musburger and Packer, on the March 11 Syracuse-Georgetown game to decide the Big East regular-season title. Thompson was ejected after receiving three technicals, the game went overtime and the CBS duo handled the Carrier Dome game like the biggie it was.
\ Strongest commentary - Vitale, on the Jan. 29 Illinois-Iowa game on ESPN. Vitale didn't back away from the news of the day, the NCAA investigation at Illinois and the Iowa coaching staff's influence in the probe. Vitale's opinion was as strong that night as his voice always is.
\ Best line - NBC's Al McGuire: "I guarantee that if Thomas Jefferson were still alive, he wouldn't allow Terry Holland to leave Virginia."
\ Analytical thoughts - Vitale is a lot of fun, but he constantly undermines his credibility with his screaming on ESPN and ABC. Dick, we know you love the game, bay-bee. NBC's Bucky Waters remains a favorite, but still is assigned behind McGuire, who was improved - it's about time - this season. But McGuire and Vitale still insist on schmoozing with coaches on the air.
Quinn Buckner was much improved on CBS, but sometimes his voice is lost in the crowd. Larry Conley is consistent and solid on ESPN. Bonner is the ACC's best and should get more cable work. How Len Elmore made it to CBS is a mystery. And the best rookie analyst next season will be Terry Holland.
\ Making the call - Musburger's tournament work on CBS has been restrained, so much so that while everyone else is exuding the excitement around him, Brent has been bafflingly boring. This isn't the Musburger we've seen in past NCAA Tournaments. When CBS loses the NBA next season, Stockton will be even better on college hoops. Marv Albert is NBC's best on hoops. That's why he'll get the NBA.
Greg Gumbel, like Brown, is a studio guy who should get more games. Brad Nessler (rising star) and Bob Rathbun (very underrated) give the ACC two solid voices. ESPN's Patrick spends a lot of time listening to Joe Theismann in football and Vitale in basketball, and not only has survived but helps the audience prosper. ESPN's Gorman teams with Raftery and knows the Big East and its nuances.
ESPN's Ron Franklin and Bob Carpenter call the game, period. ABC's Keith Jackson belongs on football. ABC's Gary Bender is inconsistent. NBC's Don Criqui: too loud too often. NBC's Dick Enberg only worked three games this year. He was missed, by viewers and by his sidekick, McGuire.
by CNB