Since I've started this site many people have lost their posts with various networks. I never really took joy in say Theismann being replaced on MNF, or Salisbury getting the ax, but I have to say that today I'm pretty happy with this move. For the second year in a row CBS has decided to make an amazingly smart decision for it's March Madness broadcast (last year it was Gus Johnson in the Sweet Sixteen) and they've replaced 34-year veteran Billy Packer.

Not only is Packer bumped from the main team, but according to the Miami Herald he is gone from CBS College Basketball entirely....

College basketball commentator Billy Packer, who has announced 34 consecutive Final Fours on network television and created a few controversies along the way, will not be returning to CBS for a 28th season, The Miami Herald has learned.

CBS has decided to replace Packer, 68, with studio analyst Clark Kellogg on its lead announcing team.

An announcement is expected Monday, but CBS representative Leslie Anne Wade confirmed the story Sunday night.

CBS believed the time was right for a change and that Kellogg deserved a chance to work with Jim Nantz on the lead team.

Packer, who had been going year to year with his contract, confirmed through a CBS official Sunday that he no longer will broadcast for the network but is pursuing other projects in basketball. Packer declined to comment further.

In all honesty, I can't believe he lasted this long. He was like the "Teflon Don" of Broadcasting. None of his controversial acts were ever punished because (and I'm just assuming here) they brought viewers to the Tournament. Only now, just three months after Packer told people to change the channel during the Final Four because the Tar Heels were down 20, is he being let go. This business continues to amaze me everyday.

As far as Kellogg as the replacement....umm, maybe I shouldn't say anything and just enjoy this for now. Yeah that's what I'll do. Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

CBS set to replace Packer (Miami Herald)
It's Time CBS, Get Someone Other Than Billy Packer (Awful Announcing)

I said it last month and apparently the remove Packer from CBS movement is gaining steam. According to the NY Daily News he might be removed for his ridiculous statements in the Final Four....

CBS is paying $6 billion for the right to air the tourney over the life of its contract with the NCAA. From a business perspective, telling viewers to turn off the TV is not a great idea, especially in a soft advertising market.

Naming a "winner" with plenty of time left in a game does not sit well with corporations paying top dollar to advertise their products during the tournament. Some of these same companies will be asked to purchase time on next year's tourney.

Not only did Packer prematurely turn the lights off - the Tar Heels eventually cut the gap to four points before losing 84-66 - but a few days later in USA Today, he poured salt on the wound.

Packer portrayed himself as an ethical realist just dealing with what he was seeing on the court.

"The integrity of the sport is more important than any promotion for television," Packer told USA Today.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Billy Packer is a cancer to CBS. The guy has called a black player a monkey, made sexist remarks on-air about a female player, used the term fag during an on-air interview, and even told a woman worker at Cameron Indoor Stadium, "Since when do we let women control who gets into a men's basketball game? Why don't you go find a women's game to let people into?" Every single time CBS defends the guy and for what?

All of the sexist, racist and idiotic remarks take a backseat to the guy losing the network millions of dollars. Either way.....it's time to make the move CBS.

Billy Packer can't dance around the stir at CBS (NY Daily News)
CBS Suits Seriously Considering Packer Ouster? (Sports by Brooks)
It's Time CBS, Get Someone Other Than Billy Packer (Awful Announcing)

Look, I understand that he has called more Championship games than virtually any other announcer, but if you can't see that he takes away from every broadcast CBS, I don't know what to tell you. Everyone who reads the site on a regular basis knows which commentators rub me the wrong way. Take Emmitt Smith for example. For all of the idiotic things that he says you can't say that he doesn't love the game of Football. I can't say the same about Billy Packer. He questions teenage players and coaches during games, he makes up story lines and he pats himself on the back when he's right.

He's like no one that's ever covered a Sport before. He's like Bob Knight without the insight. You don't have to be Gus Johnson to impress the viewing public if you don't want to. You can be Ron Franklin, Keith Jackson, or even Mike Tirico. You hear him say all the time that he's "not there to impress anyone", well f**k that....yes you are. You're supposed to know more than me, you're supposed to provide me with things I wouldn't normally notice. Sure Packer does this on occasion (the Kansas Box and 1 from last night), but when you do so you don't need to gloat and tell us how right you were.

Let's go to last night's game. Packer started calling for Kansas to start jacking up threes with three minutes left in the game. Three minutes and down eight! When a Kansas player (Arthur I think) hit a nice jumper inside the 3-point line with 1:30 left with his team down six he called it, "the worst shot you can take in Basketball at this time". Are you kidding me? Kansas was playing against arguably the worst free throw shooting team in the Tournament. How did that work out for them?

I honestly don't want anyone to lose their job and I never get joy out of such things. When Joey Sunshine got axed from Monday Night Football I actually felt really bad for him. There's a difference between someone who actually cares about their job but isn't good on television and someone who doesn't respect the fact that they have the best job in the world. It's beyond ridiculous now and I think that CBS only sticks with him because of the press gained from the hate surrounding him come Tournament time.

That's not a good reason to keep him if you ask me. I also know that he doesn't care what I have to say, but just realize that I'm not alone. Here are the commenters thoughts.....
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"I don't know how CBS continues to employ Packer. He is way too critical of these young athletes most of the time. All he does is criticize and point out the mistakes of the players and coaches. I'm all in favor of being critical at appropriate times, but kids 18-22 do not deserve to that blowhard whining at their every move."- Jerome

"I can handle Packer's criticisms (which are often valid) if he didn't consistently beat them into the ground. In the UCLA-Memphis game, Rose was flying by Collison in the first half and Packer correctly pointed out how Rose was too strong for Collison. Perfectly fair. But in the second half, UCLA made adjustments and Rose made very few shots (he shot under 50% for the game). Yet Billy continues to cite how nobody can stay with Rose even as he's missing shot after shot. Last night, as Packer said for the 100th time how Rose was making it too easy for Kansas to guard him, did it occur to him that since he had been sick all day Sunday, maybe Rose was conserving his energy for the second half? And how can you not put together the fact that Rose went off when Kansas went to the box and one on CDR?"- Anon

"Packer was just plain bad. His calling the UNC v. KU game over with 7:32 to go in the first half was insanity. Last night he was insisting on 3's from KU with two minutes to go - when it clearly wasn't necessary. Then, when Memphis was down late in OT he was criticising them for trying 3's. What?"- Mal

"Packer wanted Kansas to start jacking up threes with three minutes left to play. This was after he griped most of the second half that they weren't pounding it inside. I'm glad he's not coaching my team. Worse yet, he took credit for telling them to shoot those threes as the overtime began. If I recall correctly, Kansas took and made two in that stretch--the one in the corner of the steal and the one by Chalmers to tie. And does he not know that the clock was not running when Rose was letting the ball roll toward half court? At least twice he told us that Rose was wasting too much time by not advancing the ball. The clock wasn't running you bitter, bitter man!"- Anon

"My biggest issue with Billy is that at times it seems like he's auditioning to be a head coach. For instance, in the second half Billy made it clear numerous times that he thought Memphis should stop setting screens for Rose. Mentioning it 2 or 3 times is enough, but Nantz and Packer kept bringing it up every time Memphis set a screen for Rose. Yeah, we get it Billy, you disagree with the philosophy there. This happens a lot during his games and it's terribly annoying. Do I want his insight? absolutely. Is he right sometimes? Absolutely. But the focus of the telecast should not be on Billy Packer's strategies, and all too often it is."- Bryan

"I truly appreciate Packer pointing out it was 2 possession game when down 5 points. That's the kind of insight I'm looking for from an analyst."- Anon

"Packer is so self-absorbed he is ridiculous. Packer makes some good commentary - but his "I wouldn't do that" stuff is toooo much."- Mark

"The whole game it was here is how I would do things better than you. If Packer was such a good coach, he wouldn't be sitting in the press row."- Anon

"My biggest gripe is Packer and Nantz are always reminiscing about some game in the past. That's fine in a blowout. But with four minutes left in a close national title game, maybe you should focus on the action in front of you -- instead of talking about 1973."- Anon

"Packer is all reaction. Someone does something and Packer tells us if it was good or bad, right or wrong. It's insulting, not just because of his tone but because we can see what just happens. But the best color men are the ones who can entertain while predicting and analyzing how the action is going to develop."- Doc
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To be fair some liked him last night and I did for the better part of the first half, but something switches in his brain at the end of close games and he becomes a joke of an analyst. Someone who says, "Kansas has been in overtime games before. The 1957 championship against UNC," as a reason for how Kansas will be prepared for an extra period is just downright bad.

I really don't want either of them calling the final game after the best month in Sports, but if you really want Nantz you can keep him. Please just relegate Packer to a first weekend team with Tim Brando so I can enjoy the end of the Tournament again.

[/soapbox]

"Rock, Chalk, Championship!" (Awful Announcing)

There is no better production and recap better than the OSM. I want to give it the respect it deserves so there will be no comments from me and/or you. No comparing it to years past. Just enjoy....

CUE THE LUTHER (R.I.P.)!!!!

It just doesn't get better than that (more videos to come).

(That video will also be YouTubed as soon as they get their site back up and running)

I read an interview with Jim Nantz once where said he honestly doesn't prepare his "Championship Calls" beforehand. With the NCAA Championship tonight and the Masters this weekend he's got a lot of stuff to "not prepare" for. Or has he already planned them out?

According to this quote from a CBS conference call regarding the Masters it appears that he does think them out in advance....

Nantz: I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to put the right caption and the right story and the right description of what this means within that players heart. They have dreamt of that moment since they were a little boy and they wanted to go the Augusta and win there. And I do feel like I owe it to them to be on top of my game and be able to tell their story in an accurate fashion, to be able to reflect exactly what they are feeling at that moment. I have stories about certain players, anecdotal stuff that I've never used. I'm holding it back for the thought that one day they might win the Masters and if that moment arrives on Sunday, I'm going to tell a story that has never been told before.

Aww that's sweet. Although it makes you come across as disingenuous and not "in the moment", but whatever works for you. In related news....what do you think his call for the winner of tonight's game will be. My predictions are "And the Tigers roar all the way to the Championship!" or "We're not in Kansas anymore Toto, but Kansas IS the National Champion here in San Antonio!" I think the second one is definitely a winner....someone send that to Nantzy.

(Quote via CBS PR)

I don't know if it was because of costs or what but having the Studio Team in New York for the Final Four was a bad move by CBS. Without being in the arena the team of Gumbel, Kellogg, Davis, and Donovan just seemed bored and unenergized throughout the pregame and hafltimes of both games last night.

The cameras were off all night (as evidenced above and in the video below) and Billy Donovan actually frightened me multiple times during the telecast. No analyst should ever be that demonstrative. He seemed like the studio version of Billy Packer at times.

I don't know if it's too late to send the trio (sans Donovan) to San Antonio for Monday night but you should definitely look into CBS. I think just being in the Alamo Dome will make a world of difference in the presentation. Oh and fix Clark's head before you go....

I know people refer to all of these things as "Clarkisms", but I just call them stupid. Here are a pair of clips via The Sporting Blog in which Kellogg not only calls Xavier's Drew Lavender "ippodish", but he says Danny Green has "the versatility of baking soda".....

"How versatile is baking soda?"- Greg Gumbel

Actually now that I rethink these two they actually make some sense. Baking soda is versatile as far as household products go and the I-Pod thing perfectly describes Lavender. My bad Clark.

Clark Kellogg Reinvents the English Language Daily (TSB)
All Your Questions About Clark Kellogg Answered (TSB)

Great great run by the Wildcats but it was not meant to be. Let's not worry about how bad this last possession was, but how much fun it was to watch Davidson and Stephen Curry this Tourney.

Yeah I know Gus....we all wanted it to go in too.

(P.S.- I guarantee you'll see that title/headline only about 3,000 times tomorrow.)

Texas vs. Memphis (Houston, 2:20pm)- Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
Kansas vs. Davidson (Detroit, 5:05pm)- Gus Johnson and Len Elmore

Sorry for the delay in getting the post up today, but I'm in for the long haul now. Memphis seems to be well in control of this game and radio play-by-play man Brad Sham seemed none too happy about it. Let me know what I missed.

So apparently Jay Bilas really like Tyler Hansbrough and Dick Enberg said rape at some point. I'm going to have to go back and watch that game again.

I hate this...I had Texas winning it all. (Via SS Reporters)

I had Stanford in the Championship soooooooo. Also, what's with all of the dead air today. Nantz can't seem to come up with anything to talk about.

Nantz: "I think Texas should begin the hacking process." The hacking process for Nantz & Packer starts when they speak. (Via Anon)

"If they were going to go into the hack a Shaq then they would have had to of done it a lot earlier."- Billy Packer

They started with like six minutes left. When would you have like them to start Billy? At the start of the half???

"This is going to be a long three minutes here."- Billy Packer

Tell us about it Billy.

"You don't want to start annoying your own fans."- Billy Packer on Rick Barnes fouling down 16 with 40 seconds left.

Speaking of ESPN, tonight's Sunday Conversation has Rece Davis interviewing Knight, Parcells and LaRussa. Could you all join me in prayer for a well-placed meteor. (Via Mal)

Seriously. I saw the press release last week and didn't even want to bother posting on it. I like how TBL called them "The Grump, The Meanie, and The Drunk".

Okay now the fun starts.....Let's go Cats! And Bill Self is making substitutions two minutes into the game.

"Rush, Rise and Fire."- Gus Johnson

That never gets old.

"The scoreboard has gone blank right now Davidson and Kansas have yet to score a point according to the scoreboard. It's been a slow pace, but not that slow."- Gus Johnson

The under for the first half is a mortal lock. (Via Ed)

Winnah!

"Curry again....RING IT."- Gus Johnson

That drive was ridiculous. The kid has 8 points in a minute.

Did Gus just say, "The white lobster" when that whitey chucked a trey bomb? (Via Brett)

Yeah, it's the kid's nickname for some reason.

"Kansas goes to the zone. Looks like a box and one."- Gus Johnson

See. He doesn't just yell. He's insightful too.

"As Anderson Hunt, Anderson Anderson, Antonio Anderson banks in a three."- Clark Kellogg

Where is Anderson Hunt these days?

*Turns off TV during requisite Hansbrough interview* (Via Anon)

At the beginning of the second half, they put the bracket on screen. Instead of Xavier, it read Xaveir. Nice work CBS. (Via Daniel)

Yep they sure did.....



"White Lobster, because he's from Maine! That's what they call him."- Gus Johnson (Via Anon)

"OH! The White Lobster is cookin'!"- Gus Johnson

Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery; Xavier (3) vs. UCLA (1)- 6:40pm
Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas; Louisville (4) vs. UNC (1)- 9:05pm

Another night that I'm going to absent, but I thank everyone for filling me in on what I miss. I'll be around tomorrow though for a full day of Basketball and maybe some Baseball too.

Cheers!

This is probably my favorite play of the Tournament so far. Just an amazing shot by Stephen Curry and an awesome reaction by Gus Johnson. Oh and I threw in the Karate Kid flip up by Michael Flowers because it was badass.

This kid has gone for 40, 30, and now 33. Just other worldly if you ask me, but if he and Davidson does this to Kansas I will be truly shocked. Either way I'm happy for Curry and hopefully now he can get some better umm...talent?

Also, Lenny....English Major? I approve! Where did that come from???

Stephen Curry, Like Tebow, Makes Ladies Smile (Busted Coverage)

Wisconsin vs. Davidson (Detroit, 7:10pm)- Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
Texas vs. Stanford (Houston, 7:27pm)- Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
Kansas vs. Villanova (Detroit, 9:40pm)- Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
Memphis vs. Michigan State (Houston, 9:57pm)- Jim Nantz and Billy Packer

I'm going to be out of pocket (I love that term for some reason) once again for the Friday games. I'm going to try and head out into the cruel cruel world, but I'm not quite sure how people will respond to me hanging out in my underwear. I'm recording the games and will put up any videos or craziness you point out to me in the comments. Have a great night and enjoy the games!

So it looks like were a Country divided again folks. During the first window the East gets Davidson-Wisconsin and the West gets Texas-Stanford. The second window gets a little interesting as 60% of the Country gets Villanova-Kansas, but the entire Midwest gets Michigan State-Memphis.

I'm happy with my double shot of Gus in the Sweet Sixteen. It's been a long time coming.

Window #1
Window #2

The above photo was what came up on the screen after 20 seconds of nothing when Greg Gumbel threw the pregame to commercial, but it wasn't nearly as humorous as what happened when they came back from the commercials....

Whoops. I think you picked the wrong game to switch to there CBS. At least HD is working though.

Xavier vs. West Virginia (Phoenix, 7:10pm)- Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
North Carolina vs. Washington St. (Charlotte, 7:27pm)- Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas
UCLA vs. Western Kentucky (Phoenix, 9:40pm)- Verne Lundquist and Raftery
Tennessee vs. Louisville (Charlotte, 9:57pm)- Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas

The fun gets underway around 7pm tonight. See you then! Oh and that quarterback is WSU's Drew Bledsoe getting nailed if you were wondering.
____________________________

Real men wear pink....



It almost matches the color of his face doesn't it? Okay so it was for Breast Cancer....I'll stop making fun now. And Digger really needs to stop touching Knight. It's getting kind of creepy.

Oooh the Foo Fighters on the intro....ROCK!

Hahahahaha what is going on with CBS? Dick Enberg and Bilas just had no idea they were on. I'm pretty sure they went to the wrong game there. Too funny....video in a minute or two.

"He's a nooge out there."- Bill Raftery

Anyone know what a nooge is?

"No easy looks tonight, or today excuse me."- Bill Raftery

Either works, but since you're in Phoenix I'd go with evening.

Why is Roy Williams dressed like it's 1978? (Via Fear The Tree)

Good question. He looks like he owns a plantation.

"This David and Goliath matchup."- Dick Enberg

Ummm....Washington State is a 4-seed. Not exactly a "David".

i think UNC's better is better than Washington St.'s better. (Via Iman883)

Yes...yes it is. Looked like Washington State was going to keep it close for a second there.

After Lawson hit the 3 to end the half: "Oh my! A punctuation mark!!!"- Dick Enberg

Really, Dick? Which one? (Via AJB)

I'd go with colon.

Nice stat graphic. 15 seconds into the half CBS shows us that both teams are 0/0 FG for the half. (Via Mal)



"He was strokin' with the best of them!" - Bill Raftery (Via JR)

"Can you get a technical for thinking in Mandarin?"- Bill Raftery

"He used to sleep on a roll-up mattress. I can relate to that."- Bill Raftery (Via Anon)

Too funny.

"He just can't get it up" - Dick Enberg (Via SS Reporters)

"Sean Miller down on the floor. Looked like the Blue Devils of Duke."- Verne Lundquist

That reminds me of this Sports Pickle post

"Everybody hugging their guy."- Bill Raftery

"He's declared that bucket ineligible for the rest of the tournament".- Bill Raftery (Via Mal)

"A 3 seed Xavier trying to get to the sweet 16."- Verne Lundquist (Via Mal)

"Appropriately for a guy who grew up in Asia, that one went around the world."- Verne Lundquist

"Thrust of the fist!"- Bill Raftery

Nasty Bill....just nasty.

"The answer is take it off."- Verne Lundquist
"Late at night I favor that myself."- Bill Raftery

Ummmm.

Did Raftery just say that Joe Alexander has "Big Onions"??? (Via Swanny11)

Yes....I believe he did. These two are the best. I don't know how I can hate Verne so much in Football, but love him so much in BBall.

"He becomes the second muskateer to foul out. One more and they could write a novel. I'm sorry, it was right there it was an airball, I had to swat it."- Verne Lundquist

"Great use of the bounce....to ECSTASY!"- Bill Raftery

Bill is horny tonight.

"There is Love lurking."- Verne Lundquist
"That's every man's dream. To have love lurking."- Bill Raftery
"I'm working with a man without shame."- Verne Lundquist
"Hey join the club....it's painful."- Bill Raftery

"When in doubt....just stroke it!"- Bill Raftery

I know you've seen this promo about 4,000 times over the last four days, but Mike McCarthy actually brings up a pretty good point in his USA Today column about the Britney Spears-How I Met Your Mother commercial. Here's his quote and the promo....

Worst promo. Who's the genius behind the lame promo during CBS's coverage of the tournament Saturday and Sunday about Britney Spears' appearance on How I Met Your Mother? In the clip from tonight's episode, Spears' flirty receptionist asks Neil Patrick Harris' character if they can have sex, then go shopping. Cute. We know Hollywood loves to outrage the squares in Middle America. But there are kids watching these games.

It might be a little much to say that "Hollywood loves to outrage the squares in Middle America", but he's right when he brings up the fact that kids watch the games. It would be okay if they ran this during the late games and another one during the day, but CBS had this running from Noon to Midnight during the first two rounds.

CBS Criticized for Britney Spears 'How I Met Your Mother' Commercials in March Madness (Fanhouse)
CBS analyst Davis nails trifecta of long shots (USA Today)

Well it was a crazy four days of Basketball wasn't it (or three rather)? The announcing was right on par with the games the first two rounds meaning that it was all over the place. Four pairs have moved onto the Regional Semis and Finals while four others have been relegated to radio work or the bench. Let's get into it....

In a complete contradiction to how I normally do things, I'm going to start with the positives first and then move onto the negatives. CBS' changes to the teams seemed to have worked on a whole based on the fact that I enjoyed the first two rounds more than I have in quite some time. Nantz and Packer weren't nearly as bad as last year, and while they are still somewhat boring to me they still provide more stats and information on players and teams than any other pair on the roster. Billy Packer even actually seems to be interested in the games this year which is a drastic improvement.

Another team that surprised me was Lundquist and Raftery. At this point last year my least favorite announcer was Verne. He just couldn't keep up with the games and his partner, but this Tournament he's hanging right there with Raft. Sure they make mistakes and are a little goofy, but they're fun to listen to. I was also very impressed with Carter Blackburn who filled in for Dick Enberg in the first round. He and Stephen Curry both looked 10-years old, but both acted a lot older than their appearances let on. So much so that Blackburn and Bilas was probably the best team of the first two rounds (up for debate).

Here are the passing grades......

Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas, A-

I just couldn't find anything wrong with this team. Normally Bilas is paired with Enberg whom he feels he has to fill in dead air for. He is constantly talking when he's paired with someone who can't keep up with his analysis. Blackburn actually got him to shut up for a few seconds giving the two a perfect balance of lead and analyst.

Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel, B

I'm an unabashed Ian Eagle fan. He was starting to dig into the "Pun Well" in the Second Round, but this team was as solid as they come. Spanarkel is a perfect compliment to Eagle and this team shows what happens when you stay away from the "age gap" pairing. Two young guys and two old guys together is better than the mix and match approach CBS took last year.

Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery, B-


Pretty much explained it above but these two are just plain fun. They don't take themselves too seriously and Raftery hasn't gone annoying on us.....yet.

Jim Nantz and Billy Packer, B-/C+

Again, I mentioned it above, but these two actually seem like they care about the games they are covering. Points taken away for "Hansbrough Love" and having to call blowouts.

Gus Johnson and Len Elmore, C


This probably is the first time that I've given Gus and his partner anything under a "C", but I just wasn't that impressed. A lot of that has to do with some boring games to call, but at times it seemed like Gus was trying too hard. The "Notre Dame- popping their collars" line was just too much. Len Elmore impressed me though and seemed to do much better with anyone other than James Brown.

Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner, C

This grade should probably be incomplete because I saw this team less than any other (damn you Tim Brando and your upsets), but they too seemed a little lackluster as compared to usual. Maybe Harlan thought he was still calling NBA games.

Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas, C-

Enberg actually did a pretty good job with the rest that Blackburn provided him. Having to call only two games in a day worked well for the veteran and Jay Bilas has seriously upped his telestrator work this Tourney.
___________________________________


Okay, now onto the bad. There are no words to describe how ridiculous Bob Wenzel and Tim Brando were this Tournament. Bolerjack and Wenzel were hands down the worst team in the first two rounds and if were up to me, would never set foot in a Basketball Arena ever again. The two are not nearly as bad on Football coverage and I've even praised Bolerjack during SEC coverage in the past. Wenzel just provided us with pun after pun and as evidenced with the clock problems he had....didn't really even know the rules.

Brando had far and away the worst individual performance this Tournament. Mike Gminski is actually pretty solid, but Timmy kept throwing off his game every chance he got. Brando had multiple problems with math during the tournament trying to explain leads and how many possessions a team was done, and it was basically a snowball effect from the opening tip of the first game he called. I almost feel cheated that Tampa got all of the upsets.

Tim Brando and Mike Gminski, F+ (only because of G-Man)
Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel, G or lower
______________________

So there you have it. Hopefully now that the dead weight has been dropped the four teams moving on will be able to shine. Although I'm feeling a strong push from Gus coming during the Sweet Sixteen.

Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments.

Here is the AA Official Round Two in quotes. Just an amazing list of quotes below compiled by myself and the commenters. I'll be back in a little bit with our first announcing grades of the Tournament.
_____________________________

"Ruoff, you are sitting on the bench right now because that's how far you were from the basket when you hit that free throw!" - Bob Wenzel

"Happy Bunny Rabbit Day to you, too."- Tim Brando (Via RJBO)

"They (Duke) need some intestinal fortitude right now" - Bob Wenzel (Via Anon)

"You may have to towel him off. He's been scorching the nets."- Tim Brando

"If you're in the lead, you can wait until later. If you're behind, you have to come sooner." - Bob Wenzel (Via S2N, That's what she said!)

"Up and in, Thoroughman!" - Craig Bolerjack
"He's gonna get votes for Governor!" - Bob Wenzel

"The Madness brought gladness to this CBS Broadcast Team in Tampa."- Tim Brando

"Bob Huggins, coaching in his hometown of West Virginia..." - Bob Wenzel (I think West Virginia is a state actually)

"Is Tennessee is in trouble today against Baylor?"- Greg Gumbel

"You want to play at a fast pace, but you don't want to hurry." - Dan Bonner
"You sound like John Wooden." - Kevin Harlan
"I wish I did." - Dan Bonner (via spartandan)

"At the line is Travon Hughes, a sophomore from The Queens, New York" - Kevin Harlan (via Anon)

"Efficiency is the name of the Boilermakers!" - Bob Wenzel (via spartandan)

"Virginia, Xavier that matchup...assume whoever that is."- Clark Kellogg

"Winner of this game (Purdue-Xavier) takes on the Duke Blue...oops, Duke wishes it was taking on the winner of the game." - Greg Gumbel

"Beep beep, he's gone" -Bob Wenzel
"Beep Beep! The Road Runner!" - Craig Bolerjack

"The second half is where [the game] is gonna be won or lost" - Bob Wenzel (Via Anon)

"You can see this whole backside emptied out."- Mike Gminski

"Hummel was one of five players to make the All Big Ten First Team."- Bob Wenzel (You think??? Via Anon)

"10 Turnovers now for Kansas State. The Badgers have a feel for the heat ... with Mondays #1 drama as it returns with an all new episode. CSI: Miami. Monday at 10/9c. Only on CBS." - Kevin Harlan (Via The Unreliable Narrator)

"He makes this, and it's a 2 possession game."- Bob Wenzel (with a Purdue player shooting a FT, down by 5- Via Anon)

"We've got a Britney Spears update here!"- Tim Brando

"You're just like a father figure to me Ian."- Jim Spanarkel

"Maybe Barro's taking the same kind of cold medicine I am. I could lift my car, I've got so much stuff in me."- Dick Enberg (Via RJBO)

"8 rebounds for him and only 6 assists away from a triple double."- Mike Gminski on Scottie Reynolds

"The game becomes very easy when the ball goes through the basket and almost impossible when it does not" -Dan Bonner (Via Morgan Wick)

"Yep, Johnson from behind" - Jim Spanarkel (Via Anon)

"Villanova's been through the Class of Hard Knocks in the Big East."- Tim Brando (Via RJBO)

"MICHAEL JORDAN DUNK!!!"- Gus Johnson (Via KG Master)

"It's one thing to deny, it's another thing to undress"- Mike Gminski (Via Anon)

"Howard is one of those guys that just likes to bang you on the inside."- Bill Raftery

"McClinton with the range! Was that from Little Rock or North Little Rock?"- Ian Eagle

"Last year he went for 30 against The Maryland."- Billy Packer

"And the win Friday against Gonzaga was the first of his program as the coach..................over a ranked team."- Jim Nantz

"When you lay off the cheeseburgers, good things happen."- Bill Raftery (Via Bryne)

"Campbell waiting, salivating!"- Bill Raftery (Via Bryne)

"Get the body on the guy."- Verne Lundquist

"Gyno Pomare with the offensive put back." - Tim Brando (Via SS Reporters)

"A little bunny hop on Easter Sunday." - Tim Brando (Via SS Reporters)

"Well, you might say Campbell is M'm! M'm! Good"- Bill Raftery (Via Morgan Wick)

"It's a Texas THREE party here in Little Rock." - Ian Eagle (Via JR)

"He knew he had to take a shot and not just a regular shot, a body shot."- Jim Spanarkel

"Varnardo. Oh the length!"- Ian Eagle (Via Mal)

"The last hope for the SEC on the floor right now."- Jim Nantz, Never mind that Tennessee has won, or that Mississippi State is playing right now as well. (Via Anon)

And my personal favorites of the weekend from Raft and Verne......

"Feel free to exhale!"- Bill Raftery
"It doesn't work if you just keep breathing in"- Verne Lundquist
(Via Ryan and Anon)

"Speaking of Beckham, a lot of spice in that huddle!"- Bill Raftery describing Louisville's timeout huddle after Lundquist had read the 60 Minutes-David Beckham promo (Via Daniel)

Well it looks like Cinderella has found it's announcer, or rather he has found them. The Davidson-Wisconsin this Friday will be called by the Gus Johnson-Lenny Elmore combo as they head to Detroit for the Midwest semis.

Here are the rest of the games via CBS' PR Department.....

Thursday:
Xavier vs. West Virginia (Phoenix, 7:10pm)- Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
North Carolina vs. Washington St. (Charlotte, 7:27pm)- Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas
UCLA vs. Western Kentucky (Phoenix, 9:40pm)- Verne Lundquist and Raftery
Tennessee vs. Louisville (Charlotte, 9:57pm)- Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas

Friday:

Wisconsin vs. Davidson (Detroit, 7:10pm)- Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
Texas vs. Stanford (Houston, 7:27pm)- Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
Kansas vs. Villanova (Detroit, 9:40pm)- Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
Memphis vs. Michigan State (Houston, 9:57pm)- Jim Nantz and Billy Packer

Thank you CBS. Every game I want to see is covered by the people I want to hear. Bravo.

(Announcers stay in region for Finals)

In my Cinderella post the other day I failed to even bring up the team that everyone was already naming the Cinderella of the tournament in Davidson. Of course if everyone is calling you a sleeper and/or potential Cinderella it kind of diminishes the title, but I think after coming back from down 17 to knock off Georgetown....we've finally found our Cinderella.

Oh and if you didn't know it by now....this Stephen Curry kid is pretty good.....