AwfulAnnouncing

And Now, A Note From Brian Powell

2010-09-04T14:52:00.000-04:00

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their emails, phone calls, faxes and telegrams, asking if I was still alive over the past few months. The answer is yes, and I'm also very well rested. The truth of the matter is two-fold, and while I won't bore you with the details, I will tell you it was a combination of "being burnt out" and "trying something new in life". If you want all the details, you can email me, but I think there are more important things to talk about. Like....Are the Pammies coming back? Was Chris Berman really honored by the NFL Hall of Fame? And, what the hell is a Bloguin?

In order, yes.....yes.....and the people that are going to help me keep this site going in the direction that it was intended to.

I started the site back in 2006 as an open forum of sorts. A place where people could bitch and moan about whatever network/announcer they disagreed with/couldn't stand, as well as a hub of information on hirings/firings, schedules, etc. For months, I tried to spot post, without much avail, and even hired other writers for the site. Nothing worked out until Bloguin stepped in and "righted the ship". They have lined up some great writers, overhauled the layout of the site (beautifully I may add) and are even keeping little ole' me around to post every so often.

All in all, it was the perfect match to keep the (slightly delayed) ball rolling in the way in which it was intended. I hope that you will at least give them/us a shot, and continue to comment on posts and The Pammies. Awful Announcing will be a fun (and updated) place again.....mark my words!

Thank you all for your patronage, and I will see you tomorrow for Day One of The Pammies!!!

Brian S Powell, Esquire (aka AA)

Clark Kellogg Interviews With Us About Anything and Everything

2010-09-02T14:51:00.001-04:00

This year's Butler vs. Duke National Title Game was one of the NCAA's highest watched championship games ever and will be one of the most watched sporting events this year reaching nearly 50 million viewers in the US.

For play by play announcer, Jim Nantz, it was just another bullet point in an illustrious 20 year career leading NCAA Tournament coverage for CBS. But for Clark Kellogg, in just his second year as CBS's lead color commentator, the classic title game was a jumping off point for a very exciting offseason.

In addition to losing (maybe intentionally) to President Obama in a game of HORSE/POTUS, Kellogg received some clarity about his future as CBS partnered with Turner Sports to successfully outbid ESPN and others to retain the rights to the to the NCAA Tournament.

In June, Kellogg who also serves as a commentator for the Pacers, would add a executive role with team as VP of Player Relations. To round out an interesting offseason, Kellogg added another role to his expanding presence in sports as Capital One announced yesterday that he'll be an initial member of their advisory board for the newly formed Capital One Cup, a high profile competition among collegiate athletic departments.

How a site named Awful Announcing gets 20 minutes with someone as high profile as Clark Kellogg is somewhat of an enigma although a lot of the thanks goes to Don Povia from HHR and Blogs with Balls.

After the jump are some of the highlights from the interview before we got off track and started asking him about movies like Tin Cup and Happy Gilmore.

On the Move from Studio Analyst to Lead Color Commentator:

It was something I aspired to do. Billy Packer had done a bang-up job in that role for north of three decades and he's an icon as an analyst in not just basketball but any sport. Doing a national championship game for 30 years is unprecedented and something I don't think will be duplicated again.

Even though my role in the studio was terrific and I gained a comfort level there, I was hoping that at some point I'd be considered for the role as you don't get a lot of chances to call one of the premier sporting events and I was just hoping to be in a position to be considered. I am extremely grateful and thankful that it happened a couple of years ago. I don't know if I can go for as long as Billy did, but I hope to stay in the seat for a few more years and it was a nice promotion and it was something that I hoped would find its way into my life.

On Former Athletes Seemingly Getting more Media Jobs and Ascending to more High Profile Media Jobs Compared to Previous Generations of Athletes:

I think its a positive thing. I mean the analyst role is uniquely suited for former coaches and former players because of the perspective and experience that they have. They understand what goes on behind the scenes so those guys are your best potential candidates.

Also with all the media platforms out there, athletes are aspiring to join the media earlier and more often so a lot of players are seeing their contemporaries or players they know make the transition and they say "That's something I would like to do". They begin to pursue it, plan for it, and prepare themselves as there are a lot more opportunities compared to 20 years ago.

The play by play role however I think is probably better suited for someone who has done a lot more things in broadcasting and are for people who are aspiring to move in that direction.

Significance of The New Capital One Cup to College Athletics:

It's a new prestige program rewarding athletic programs for their cumulative on field performance across multiple men's and women's sports. There will be 13 women's and 13 men's sports that division 1 programs can compete in for an opportunity to win the Capital One Cup. It will be a cumulative scoring system from the fall sports, winter sports and through the spring sports with the winner of the Capital One Cup not only receiving a trophy but also $200,000 in funding for graduate scholarships for student athletes for both the men's and women's program winner.

It's the most comprehensive rewards program in existence and I am thrilled to be a part of the advisory team. I think it's a great way to not only put a spotlight on tremendous athletic achievement but also tying in the funding of graduate level scholarships for student athletes.

Special K's thoughts on Blogosphere Rock Star Gus Johnson and his role at CBS:

I am a big time fan. Matter of a fact one of the few negatives about moving away from the studio is that I don't get to work with him as much. I get to work with Verne Lundquist and later on in the season with Jim Nantz and we have tremendous play by play guys at CBS. Both Verne and Jim are not only good at what they do but are good people to be around and fun to be around.

But I do miss not working with Gus as much as I did when I was in the studio. I think Gus is fantastic and that he has a terrific basketball voice because of knowledge of the game, his natural enthusiasm, and his uniqueness on how he combines his excitement and passion with terrific calls. I've heard this from countless people around the country as they love him doing NCAA games.

I think he's a tremendous fan, play by play guy, and that his rhythm is hand in glove the style for basketball. He has a nice understanding for pace, flow, his excitement rises as the game goes from possession to possession. He just has as really intuitive sense for calling basketball that appeals to fans and makes him a lot of fun to work with.

On New CBS Contract Allowing All Games to be Broadcast Nationally and Games Including Finals Being Split Between CBS and Turner Sports Properties:

We're all really happy and proud that the NCAA wants to continue its relationship with CBS. It's been a 20 year relationship of televising the National Title game and we're thrilled that's going to continue. To have a partner like Turner Sports is a win win for us, the NCAA, and the fans. Having all of the games nationally televised on CBS and our cable partners is definitely great for the fans.

I don't know how long I'll be on the train, but it feels good that CBS owns the tracks to a key sports property.

Moving from 65 Sports Team Tournament To 68 Teams and Avoiding the 96 Team Tournament:

Change can always be uncomfortable especially with all the speculation that was out there about what was possible. Initially I was totally opposed when the winds started to blow over a year ago. As I heard more and more reasons why expansion might be good, I became more open to it. I wasn't really for any type of structure of expansion but I was open to it.

As we go from 65 to 68, I am comfortable with that change. Where we go from here I don't know but the addition of some more teams and a few games is good and I am on board.

I am not going to speculate on what the final resting place is going to be if it grows again, but I'll deal with that change down the road. I think it was a positive move and one that was well thought out.

Thoughts on New Role with Pacers:

My new role as Vice President of Player Relations which is basically overseeing the player development area which includes programming to help them be champions on and off the court in terms of community involvement and education programs for them. I'm really trying to mentor them through the demands and challenges that NBA players face. Particularly with the Pacers ,with so many players being young players being under 25 years old that didn't graduate from college and now are rushed into the limelight and lifestyle of being a NBA player.

It's something they have dreamed about but then navigating that successfully is really a challenge even for the most seasoned player that shows up. It's just a demanding environment. My job is to try to help those guys grow up as professionals on and off the court and adapt to that environment.

Verne Lundquist's Appearance in Happy Gilmore vs. Jim Nantz's Appearance in Tin cup:

Ha, that's a tough one, but I'd lean towards Verne in Happy Gilmore. That appearance is unique and iconic and I've seen a lot of signs around the country when I travel with Verne that reference so I am going to give the nod to him.

Maybe Woody Paige Should Have Insured His Hair

2010-09-01T16:50:00.001-04:00

The man was butchered. At least get your money back, bro. Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode "The Barber." And since Reali asked, I'd say my "level of concern" is high to quite high.

10 Things We've Learned About The Jets From Hard Knocks So Far

2010-08-31T23:18:00.001-04:00

Admit it, you may not love the Jets, but you’re loving this season of Hard Knocks.

The locker room access. Rex Ryan’s awful eating habits and worse language. Antonio Cromartie’s gaggle of kids. Darrelle Revis. HBO could put out an hour episode a day and still not cover everything surrounding this team. They’ve got more storylines than a mid-day soap opera.

Now three episodes in, we’re closer than ever to the start of the season. But what have we really learned about the Jets?

Here are 10 Things…

1. If Mark Sanchez Really Is The Difference Between The Jets Going To The Super Bowl Or Not, They Probably Shouldn’t Pack Their Bags Just Yet: Look, I’m not ragging on Sanchez here, if only because most quarterbacks take a step back in their second year in the league. There’s a reason Marty Schottenheimer said in Episode 2 “If you get a second year quarterback to perform at his rookie level, that’s when you know you’ve made progress.”

At the same time, is it just me, or does Sanchez seem kind of immature? You know, like when his quarterbacks coach came in and said, “You know what you’re almost ready to do,” and Sanchez replied, “Stop sucking.” Sorry Mark, but that was a little too “11-year-old girl who got a C on her reading test” for my taste. As his coach said, you’re an NFL quarterback Mark, time to start acting like it.

Regardless, this has been my biggest contention with the Jets all preseason, what do they do if Sanchez isn’t ready? It’s not like he lit the world on fire last year, and unless someone gives him a blow torch and some gasoline, I don’t think he’s going to do it in 2010 either.

Also, is this really a guy you can see keeping everyone calm when the going gets tough? Is he going to be able to keep Santonio Holmes, LT, Braylon Edwards and everybody else in line when they’re not getting touches? I’m not really sure he’s that guy yet. And until he is, the Jets aren’t going to the Super Bowl.

2. Speaking of Sanchez, His Backup Apparently Isn’t A Big Fan Either: Umm, it’s not that Mark Brunell is jealous, bitter or hostile toward his younger counterpart. If anything, he’s been a good mentor from what we’ve seen (“His don’t blame the arrow, blame the Indian,” speech was straight out of my grandma’s playbook from the 1940’s. All he needed was a bowl of tapioca pudding while saying it).

No Brunell’s beef is different, but actually just like yours or mine: Brunell isn’t a big fan of Sanchez for the simple fact that his 18-year-old daughter (Just five years younger than Sanchez), has the hots for the Jets starting QB. Brunell even went on the record a few episodes ago and told Sanchez, “You’re not meeting her.”

And quite honestly, who could blame Brunell? The NFL already has one gray-bearded, 40-year-old quarterback that recently became a first time grandfather, one Brett Favre. Brunell certainly doesn’t want to be No. 2.

3. The Most Surprisingly Compelling Character So Far Has Been Special Teams Coach Mike Westhoff: First off, the dude is a cancer survivor, which already makes him cooler than you or I. But beyond that, it’s Westhoff's, “I don’t care who the hell you are, if you can’t play get the hell off my football field,” Herman Boone approach to the game that makes him so fun to follow.

It’s also led to some killer one liner’s too. Here are a few of my favorites:

Westhoff on tight end Matt Mulligan’s excuse for his subpar play: “I don’t give a shit if you’ve got the triple f***ing Asian flu,” you’ve got to play better.

Westhoff on underachieving wide receiver David Clowney, “We’ve been talking about David Clowney’s potential since… I don’t know… When Bush was President.”

And finally his take on rookie cornerback Donovan Warren, “Donny, that was a good tackle you made in that drill. If you’d have played like that last year, maybe Michigan would’ve won some damn games!”

4. The Most Surprisingly Compelling Scene Of The Season Came At The Rookie Talent Show, Where Brian Jackson Won, “King Ugly”: What’s King Ugly, you ask? Well it’s a team vote on the three ugliest rookies in camp. Everyone donates a few bucks, and as Rex Ryan explained, “The third place winner gets 75 percent of the pot. The second place winner gets 25 percent. The first place winner gets nothing… because he’s so damn ugly he doesn’t deserve it.” Well then. (Also, don’t you wish we handed out “King Ugly,” Awards on every team, and in every league? Jorge Cantu would be working on his seventh straight MLB King Ugly Award right now.)

This year’s King Ugly competition took a surprising turn, when rookie offensive lineman Vladimir Duccasse was so ugly that he won both the second and third place prizes. (And believe me when I say, that dude is UGLY. If Shrek had a 6’5, 325 lb. brother who played in the NFL, it’d have definitely been Duccasse).

Meanwhile, the first prize went to cornerback Brian Jackson, not so much for his looks, but just simply because everybody on the team loathes him.

If you don’t believe me, check out the scene where the defensive veterans get pissed off at Jackson, tie him to the goal post, paste Icy Hot all over his body, then dump two buckets of Gatorade on his face. Funny scene. Unless you’re Jackson of course.

5. The Guy With The Coolest Name On The Team Has To Be…: 6’8 Defensive End Ropati Pitoitua. You thought I was going to say D’Brickishaw Ferguson, didn’t you?

6. LaDainian Tomlinson May Have Had The Most Unnecessarily Exuberant Touchdown Celebration I’ve Ever Seen: In Episode 2, when he jumped over the pile for a meaningless score, then slammed the ball down like he’d just clinched a Super Bowl win or something. Wow.

LT, my man, we get it. You’ve got a chip on your shoulder because of the way things ended in San Diego. We’re on your side. But it’s August 18, not December 18. You’re going against the second string in practice, not the first string of the Patriots. Deep breaths buddy, deep breaths.

Honestly, the whole scene reminded me of when one of my buddies ends an especially long dry spell, with an especially ugly girl, and acts like he just banged Scarlett Johansson. We know you’ve been there before. Act like it.

7. The Tony Dungy-Rex Ryan Controversy Is The Stupidest Storyline Of The Show: Look, I like Dungy. He’s a good man and a good family man from all accounts. He won a Super Bowl, which is obviously better than anything I’ll ever do in my life. But, the fact that he criticized Ryan for swearing too much on Hard Knocks, might be the single stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

As my high school football coach used to say, football isn’t a contact sport. It’s a collision sport. A game where guys recklessly throw their bodies into and through one another, for sixty minutes a week, four months a year.

So if Ryan needs to drop a few F-Bombs to get his point across, is it really that big of a deal? This is a profession where guys are paid to inflict pain on their opponents. Where broken bones and torn and ACL’s are hazards of the job. Where up until a few years ago, people treated concussions like paper cuts. In context, are a few F-Bombs that bad?

Besides, the show isn’t on ABC Family. It’s on HBO. If the language doesn’t please you Mr. Dungy, don’t watch. It’s really that simple. I'm on Rex's side on this one.

8. Joe McKnight Might Be The Least Likeable Guy On This Team: Or at least that’s how the producers of the show want us to think of him.

This guy puked in minicamp, failed a conditioning test, and really seems about as indifferent as a stoned 10th grader stuck in algebra class. Bart Scott even summed him up by saying that McKnight was frustrated because he was “Taking a pay cut,” by leaving USC for the Jets. Zing.

I suppose we probably should have known things were bad with McKnight when Santonio Holmes had to calm him down and become his voice of reason. When Santonio Holmes has to talk sense into you, that’s a pretty good sign that things aren’t going well.

9. Forget The Players, The Scariest Guy On The Jets Is Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine: I mentioned it in my Episode 1 Recap, and I’ll say it again: This guy looks like he broke out of San Quentin two days before camp. Was he coaching in the California Penal League last year?

All I’m saying is this: If Pettine tries to trade one of his backup linebackers for a carton of cigarettes next episode, I’m alerting the authorities.

10. Antonio Cromartie Needs A Vasectomy: I’m not really going to touch too much on this. If only because everyone and their mother’s have already cracked wise on Cromartie, and I don’t feel the need to pile on the poor guy (Ok, that’s a lie. I’m just not going to get too much into it, because I’m a week late, and everyone’s already used up all the good jokes. Damn.).

On a serious note though, how dumb is this guy? What’s he got now, seven kids in five states? Eight kids in six? I can’t keep track, but then again neither can he.

Also, please Antonio, don’t try and tell us that the producers made you look bad. They didn’t. You’ve got eight kids with six women or whatever. You made you look bad! Instead of blaming others, shouldn’t you have started wearing a condom after your second or third kid…of 2007? How are the producers at fault, when you have worse safe sex habits than the entire cast of Teenage Mom?

On a separate note, after all Cromartie’s baby momma’s suck dry his NFL riches (my guess is that if the Jets do win the Super Bowl this year, we’ll be seeing Cromartie’s championship ring on eBay sometime in 2017), he could probably make a nice second career out of donating sperm.

Think about it, if you were a single woman in her 40’s desperately trying to have a kid, wouldn’t Cromartie be your go to guy? Wouldn’t you be tracking him down, wining and dining him, then handing him a six-year-old copy of Playboy and a plastic cup? Wouldn’t you simply go into your doctor’s office and pay whatever it took to get the “Cromartie Special?”

Maybe he should hold off on that vasectomy after all.

Be sure to follow Aaron on Twitter @Aaron_Torres

And to read all of his work, visit www.aarontorres-sports.com

And Now, Let's Get Awkward With 'Around The Horn' Talking About Jay Mariotti's Arrest

2010-08-30T17:09:00.000-04:00

Actually, they didn't talk about Jay Mariotti's arrest or its consequences, but rather the media hoopla surrounding it. The transcript can be found here. My opinion is probably mostly in line with Richard Deitsch, who commends ATH for tackling the issue, but, next to ignoring it altogether, definitely did so in the safest way possible.

Shoddy video of the segment below:

The Revival of Awful Announcing

2010-08-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

A little over four years ago, Brian Powell started Awful Announcing because NBA broadcaster Hubie Brown somehow let "wideopenshotability" escape from his mouth on-air. It wasn't just another spontaneous sports blog destined to fail, though. Powell had a vision for the site and built it up into one of the most well-known sports blogs on the 'net, focusing on everything broadcasting from potential sharts to random hair product placements. Unfortunately, new responsibilities prevented Powell from posting as much and, ultimately, pretty much at all (the last post prior to today was April 20, but a source close to the situation has said that he still wants to post here occasionally).

Bloguin stepped up to the plate, offering to resurrect AA and put the revered sports blog back on top where it belongs. In an increasingly competitive blogsphere, it will be a tall task, but I think we've assembled a strong enough group of writers to make it happen. We all plan to work hard to maintain the roots of the original AA site, including announcing assignments, quotables, videos, live blogs and analysis, amongst other goodies, but we'll also be splashing in our own flavor to spruce things up a bit.

We understand that the sports blog you once knew and loved is now a little different, a little weird and run by virtual strangers, but don't let your inner neophobe rule you. We ask that you let this marinate a little bit. And once you dig in, I promise that you'll want to come back for more. If not, well, then I hope you get stuck in an elevator that plays Miley Cyrus on repeat for hours.

Your 2010 Primetime NFL Games

2010-04-20T19:03:00.004-04:00

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Week 1 (September 9th) - Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (NBC, 8:30pm)
Week 10 (November 11th)- Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons (NFL-N, 8:20pm)
Week 11 (November 18th)- Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins (NFL-N, 8:20pm)
Week 12 (Thanksgiving Day)- New England Patriots at Detroit Lions (CBS, 12:30pm)
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys (FOX, 4:15pm)
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets (NFL-N, 8:20pm)
Week 13 (December 2nd)- Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles (NFL-N, 8:20pm)
Week 14 (December 9th)- Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (NFL-N, 8:20pm)
Week 15 (December 15th)- San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers (NFL-N, 8:20pm)
Week 16 (December 22nd)- Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL-N, 8:20pm)

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Week 16 (December 25th)- Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals (NFL-N, 7:30pm)

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Week 1 (September 12th) - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 2 (September 19th) - New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 3 (September 26th) - New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 4 (October 3rd) - Chicago Bears at New York Giants (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 5 (October 10th) - Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 6 (October 17th) - Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 7 (October 24th) - Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 8 (October 31st) - Pittsburgh Steelers at Saints (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 9 (November 7th) - Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 10 (November 14th) - New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 11 (November 21st) - New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 12 (November 28th) - San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 13 (December 5th) - Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 14 (December 12th) - Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 15 (December 19th) - Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (NBC, 8:20pm)
Week 16 (December 26th) - San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals (NBC, 8:20pm)

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Week 1 (September 13th) - Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets (ESPN, 7pm) & San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN, 10:15pm)
Week 2 (September 20th) - New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 3 (September 27th) - Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 4 (October 4th) - New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 5 (October 11th) - Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 6 (October 18th) - Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 7 (October 25th) - New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 8 (November 1st) - Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 9 (November 8th) - Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 10 (November 15th) - Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 11 (November 22nd) - Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 12 (November 29th) - San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 13 (December 6th) - New York Jets at New England Patriots (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 14 (December 13th) - Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 15 (December 20th) - Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN, 8:30pm)
Week 16 (December 27th) - New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (ESPN, 8:30pm)

Your Round One NBA Playoffs Announcing Schedule

2010-04-15T12:46:00.007-04:00

Saturday, April 17th

Chicago at Cleveland, Game 1 (ABC, 3pm)- Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
Milwaukee at Atlanta, Game 1 (ESPN, 5:30pm)- Dan Shulman, Jon Barry, Ric Bucher
Miami at Boston, Game 1 (ESPN, 8pm)- Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox
Utah at Denver, Game 1 (ESPN, 10:30pm)- Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Holly Rowe

Sunday, April 18th

Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, Game 1 (ABC, 3pm)- Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
Charlotte at Orlando, Game 1 (TNT, 5:30pm)- Matt Devlin, Kevin McHale, Cheryl Miller
San Antonio at Dallas, Game 1 (TNT, 8pm)- Dick Stockton, Mike Fratello, Marty Snider
Portland at Phoenix, Game 1 (TNT, 10:30pm)- Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins, Craig Sager

Monday, April 19th

Chicago at Cleveland, Game 2 (TNT, 8pm)- Marv Albert, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
Utah at Denver, Game 2 (TNT, 10:30pm)- Ian Eagle, Mike Fratello, Marc Fein

Tuesday, April 20th

Milwaukee at Atlanta, Game 2 (NBATV, 7pm)- Local Announcers
Miami at Boston, Game 2 (TNT, 8pm)- Marv Albert, Reggie Miller, Dei Lynam
Portland at Phoenix, Game 2 (NBATV, 10pm)- Local Announcers
Oklahoma City at LA Lakers, Game 2 (TNT, 10:30pm)- Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins, Craig Sager

Wednesday, April 21st

Charlotte at Orlando, Game 2 (TNT, 7pm)- Matt Devlin, Kevin McHale, Cheryl Miller (reporter)
San Antonio at Dallas, Game 2 (TNT, 9:30pm)- Dick Stockton, Mike Fratello, Marty Snider (reporter)

Thursday, April 22

Cleveland at Chicago, Game 3 (TNT, 7pm)- Marv Albert, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
LA Lakers at Oklahoma City, Game 3 (TNT, 9:30pm)- Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins, Craig Sager
Phoenix at Portland, Game 3 (NBATV, 10pm)- Local Announcers

Friday, April 23rd

Boston at Miami, Game 3 (ESPN, 7pm)- TBD
Dallas at San Antonio, Game 3 (ESPN, 9:30pm)- TBD
Denver at Utah, Game 3 (ESPN2, 10:30pm)- TBD

Saturday, Apr 24th

Atlanta at Milwaukee, Game 3 (ESPN, 7pm)- TBD
L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, Game 3 (ESPN, 9:30pm)- TBD

Sunday, Apr 25th

Boston at Miami, Game 4 (ABC, 1pm)- TBD
Cleveland at Chicago, Game 4 (ABC, 3:30pm)- TBD

Saturday, April 24th

Orlando at Charlotte, Game 3 (TNT, 2pm)- Matt Devlin, Kevin McHale, Cheryl Miller
Phoenix at Portland, Game 4 (TNT, 4:30pm)- Dick Stockton, Mike Fratello, Craig Sager
Atlanta at Milwaukee, Game 3 (ESPN, 7pm)- TBD
LA Lakers at Oklahoma City, Game 4 (ESPN, 9:30pm)- TBD

Sunday, April 25th

Boston at Miami, Game 4 (ABC, 1pm)- TBD
Cleveland at Chicago, Game 4 (ABC, 3:30pm)- TBD
Dallas at San Antonio, Game 4 (TNT, 7pm)- Kevin Harlan, Doug Collins, Marty Snider
Denver at Utah, Game 4 (TNT, 9:30pm)- Marv Albert, Reggie Miller, Marc Fein

Your Opening Round NHL Playoffs Schedule

2010-04-12T11:28:00.003-04:00

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Washington Capital vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

Thursday, April 15th - Game One, Montreal at Washington (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
Saturday, April 17th - Game Two, Montreal at Washington (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
Monday, April 19th - Game Three, Washington at Montreal (TSN, 7pm)
Wednesday, April 21st - Game Four, Washington at Montreal (TSN, 7pm)
*Friday, April 23rd - Game Five, Montreal at Washington (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
*Monday, April 26th - Game Six, Washington at Montreal (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
*Wednesday, April 28th - Game Game Seven, Montreal at Washington (TSN, TBD)

#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers
Wednesday, April 14th - Game One, Philadelphia at New Jersey (TSN, 7:30pm)
Friday, April 16th - Game Two, Philadelphia at New Jersey (TSN, 7:30pm)
Sunday, April 18th - Game Three, New Jersey at Philadelphia (TSN, 6pm)
Tuesday, April 20th - Game Four, New Jersey at Philadelphia (TSN2, 7:30pm)
*Thursday, April 22nd - Game Five, Philadelphia at New Jersey (TSN, 7pm)
*Sunday, April 25th - Game Six, New Jersey at Philadelphia (TSN, TBD)
*Tuesday, April 27th - Game Seven, Philadelphia at New Jersey (TSN, 7:30pm)

#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins

Thursday, April 15th - Game One, Boston at Buffalo (CBC, 7pm)
Saturday, April 17th - Game Two, Boston at Buffalo (NBC/CBC, 1pm)
Monday, April 19th - Game Three, Buffalo at Boston (VERSUS/CBC, 7pm)
Wednesday, April 21st - Game Four, Buffalo at Boston (VERSUS/CBC, 7pm)
*Friday, April 23rd - Game Five, Boston at Buffalo (CBC, 7pm)
*Monday, April 26th - Game Six, Buffalo at Boston (CBC, 7pm)
*Wednesday, April 28th - Game Seven, Boston at Buffalo (CBC, 7pm)

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators

Wednesday, April 14th - Game One, Ottawa at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC, 7pm)
Friday, April 16th - Game Two, Ottawa at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC, 7pm)
Sunday, April 18th - Game Three, Pittsburgh at Ottawa (CBC/VERSUS, 6:30pm)
Tuesday, April 20th - Game Four, Pittsburgh at Ottawa (CBC/VERSUS, 7pm)
*Thursday, April 22nd - Game Five, Ottawa at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC, 7pm)
*Saturday, April 24th - Game Six, Pittsburgh at Ottawa (CBC/VERSUS, 7pm)
*Tuesday, April 27th - Game Seven, Ottawa at Pittsburgh (CBC, 7pm)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche

Wednesday, April 14th - Game One, Colorado at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC, 10:30pm)
Friday, April 16th - Game Two, Colorado at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC, 10:30pm)
Sunday, April 18th - Game Three, San Jose at Colorado (VERSUS/CBC, 9:30pm)
Tuesday, April 20th - Game Four, San Jose at Colorado (VERSUS/CBC, 10pm)
*Thursday, April 22nd - Game Five, Colorado at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC, 10:30pm)
*Saturday, April 24th - Game Six, San Jose at Colorado (CBC, TBD)
*Monday, April 26th - Game Seven, Colorado at San Jose (CBC, TBD)

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators

Friday, April 16th - Game One, Nashville at Chicago (VERSUS/TSN2, 8:30pm)
Sunday, April 18th - Game Two, Nashville at Chicago (VERSUS/TSN, 8:30pm)
Tuesday, April 20th - Game Three, Chicago at Nashville (VERSUS/TSN, 9pm)
Thursday, April 22nd - Game Four, Chicago at Nashville (VERSUS/TSN2, 8:30pm)
*Saturday, April 24th - Game Five, Nashville at Chicago (NBC/TSN, 3pm)
*Monday, April 26th - Game Six, Chicago at Nashville (TSN, TBD)
*Wednesday, April 28th - Game Seven, Nashville at Chicago (TSN, TBD)

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings

Thursday, April 15th - Game One, Los Angeles at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS, 10pm)
Saturday, April 17th - Game Two, Los Angeles at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS, 10pm)
Monday, April 19th - Game Three, Vancouver at Los Angeles (CBC/VERSUS, 10pm)
Wednesday, April 21st - Game Four, Vancouver at Los Angeles (CBC/VERSUS, 10pm)
*Friday, April 23rd - Game Five, Los Angeles at Vancouver (CBC, 10pm)
*Sunday, April 25th - Game Six, Vancouver at Los Angeles (CBC/VERSUS, TBD)
*Tuesday, April 27th - Game Seven, Los Angeles at Vancouver (CBC, TBD)

#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

Wednesday, April 14th - Game One, Detroit at Phoenix (VERSUS/TSN, 10pm)
Friday, April 16th - Game Two, Detroit at Phoenix (VERSUS/TSN, 10pm)
Sunday, April 18th - Game Three, Phoenix at Detroit (NBC/TSN, 3pm)
Tuesday, April 20th - Game Four, Phoenix at Detroit (TSN, 6:30pm)
*Friday, April 23rd - Game Five, Detroit at Phoenix (VERSUS/TSN, 10pm)
*Sunday, April 25th - Game Six, Phoenix at Detroit (NBC/TSN, 2pm)
*Tuesday, April 27th - Game Seven, Detroit at Phoenix (TSN, TBD)

OSM 2010: The Duke Blue Devils & Jennifer Hudson

2010-04-06T12:25:00.004-04:00

It was a long season, but ended perfectly with a close defensive contest, that was won by Duke by about a millimeter. It was a battle that should have led to two trophies given out, but alas....that's not the way it works. As a good friend put it, "Two clean programs. No one-and-done players...just true student athletes. Every possession was tough and it all came down to the end." You really couldn't ask for anything more from the best Tournament in any Sport (Pro or College).

Please don't bump the amount of teams up to 96, NCAA. A watered down version of the madness is not what we need. Congrats Duke....here's your "OSM"....

And by the way, the Jennifer Hudson version wasn't that bad. Yes, it isn't the same as Luther. Yes, she got a little bit crazy near the end there. But all in all....it wasn't that bad. I don't understand the decision to replace the Vandross version, but it could have been worse.

Steve Lavin Leaves ESPN For St. John's

2010-03-31T11:21:00.003-04:00

ESPN seems to be shuffling people in and out on a daily basis these days, and the latest to leave is College Basketball analyst, Steve Lavin. Lavin has decided to take on the challenge that is St. John's ~~Redman~~ Red Storm, and will be their head coach next season. Via the Associated Press....

Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin has agreed to become the basketball coach at St. John's.

The school said Tuesday that a news conference to introduce Lavin would be held Wednesday.

Lavin has been an analyst for ESPN since UCLA fired him in 2003. He had a 145-78 record with UCLA, leading the school to the NCAA tournament's round of 16 five times. The Bruins reached the final eight in 1997, his first season.

St. John's, which fired Norm Roberts after six seasons, has not been to the NCAA tournament since 2002.

Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt rejected an offer from St. John's last week. Al Skinner, who was fired by Boston College on Tuesday, also was interviewed.

I always thought Lavin was more interested in being on TV, than actually coaching, but I guess the allure of the Garden has drawn him back. This move also brings an end to one of AA's all-time "favorite" announcing duos, in Lavin and Brent Musburger. RIP Lavinburger....RIP.

Your Sweet Sixteen Announcing Schedule

2010-03-24T18:17:00.003-04:00

Thursday, March 25th

#5 Butler vs. #1 Syracuse (Salt Lake City, 7:07pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
#11 Washington vs. #2 West Virginia (Syracuse, 7:27pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
#6 Xavier vs #2 Kansas State (Salt Lake City, 9:37pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
#12 Cornell vs. #1 Kentucky (Syracuse, 9:57pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas

Friday, March 26th

#6 Tennessee vs. #2 Ohio State (St. Louis, 7:07pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
#10 St. Mary's vs. #3 Baylor (Houston, 7:27pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
9:37 pm
#9 Northern Iowa vs. #5 Michigan State (St. Louis, 9:37pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
#4 Purdue vs. #1 Duke (Houston, 9:57pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Your Round Two NCAA Tournament Announcing Schedule

2010-03-20T10:58:00.004-04:00

Saturday, March 20th

#2 Villanova-#10 St. Mary’s (1:05pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
#5 Butler-#13 Murray State (3:20pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
#6 Tennessee-#14 Ohio (3:35pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
#1 Kansas-#9 Northern Iowa (5:40pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
#3 Baylor-#11 Old Dominion (5:45pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
#3 New Mexico-#11 Washington (5:50pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
#2 Kansas State-#7 BYU (8:10pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
#1 Kentucky-#9 Wake Forest (8:15pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas

Sunday, March 21st

#1 Syracuse-#8 Gonzaga (12:10pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
#2 Ohio State-#10 Georgia Tech (2:20pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
#4 Maryland-#5 Michigan State (2:30pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
#2 West Virginia-#10 Missouri (2:40pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
#4 Wisconsin-#12 Cornell (2:50pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
#3 Pitt-#6 Xavier (4:50pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
#4 Purdue-#5 Texas A&M (5pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
#1 Duke-#8 Cal (5:20pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Your Round One NCAA Tournament Announcing Schedule

2010-03-15T09:56:00.006-04:00

Temperatures are warming up, the day is longer, and that can only mean one thing. That the Madness is upon us! Here is your announcing assignments, and schedule for the first round. Enjoy the tournament, and be sure to check back here for videos from time to time.

New Orleans, LA: Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
Providence, RI: Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
Oklahoma City, OK: Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
San Jose, CA: Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
Jacksonville, FL: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Buffalo, NY: Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
Milwaukee, WI: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
Spokane, WA: Tim Brando, Mike Gminski

Tuesday, March 16th

Arkansas-Pine Bluff v. Winthrop (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin

Thursday, March 18th

7 Brigham Young v. 10 Florida (12:20pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
3 Baylor v. 14 Sam Houston State (12:25pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
2 Villanova v. 15 Robert Morris (12:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 Murray State (2:30pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
2 Kansas State v. 15 North Texas (2:50pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
6 Notre Dame v. 11 Old Dominion (2:55pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
7 Richmond v. 10 St. Mary's (3pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
5 Butler v. 12 UTEP (4:55pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
8 UNLV v. 9 Northern Iowa (7:10pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
1 Kentucky v. 16 East Tennessee State (7:15pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
6 Marquette v. 11 Washington (7:20pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
3 Georgetown v. 14 Ohio (7:25pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
1 Kansas v. 16 Lehigh (9:40pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
8 Texas v. 9 Wake Forest (9:45pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
3 New Mexico v. 14 Montana (9:50pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
6 Tennessee v. 11 San Diego State (9:55pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery

Friday, March 19th

2 West Virginia v. 15 Morgan State (12:15pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
6 Xavier v. 11 Minnesota (12:25pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
5 Temple v. 12 Cornell (12:30pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
4 Purdue v. 13 Siena (2:30pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
7 Clemson v. 10 Missouri (2:45pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
3 Pittsburgh v. 14 Oakland (2:55pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
4 Wisconsin v. 13 Wofford (3pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
5 Texas A&M v. 12 Utah State (4:55pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
8 Gonzaga v. 9 Florida State (7:10pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
7 Oklahoma State v. 10 Georgia Tech (7:15pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
5 Michigan State v. 12 New Mexico State (7:20pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
1 Duke v. 16 UAPB-WIN winner (7:25pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
1 Syracuse v. 16 Vermont (9:40pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
2 Ohio State v. 15 UC-Santa Barbara (9:45pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
4 Maryland v. 13 Houston (9:50pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
8 California v. 9 Louisville (9:55pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Saturday, March 20th

UK-ETSU winner v. TEX-WAKE winner- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas (New Orleans, LA)
BAY-SHSU winner v. ND-ODU winner- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas (New Orleans, LA)
GTOWN-OHIO winner v. TENN-SDSU winner- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery (Providence, RI)
VILL-RMU winner v. RICH-SMC winner- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery (Providence, RI)
KAN-LEH winner v. UNLV-UNI winner- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner (Oklahoma City, OK)
KAN ST-UNT winner v. BYU-FLA winner- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner (Oklahoma City, OK)
UNM-MONT winner v. MARQ-WASH winner- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel (San Jose, CA)
VAN-MURR winner v. BUT-UTEP winner- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel (San Jose, CA)

Sunday, March 21st

WISC-WOFF winner v. BUT-CORN winner- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg (Jacksonville, FL)
DUKE-Play In winner v. CAL-LOU winner- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg (Jacksonville, FL)
WVU-MORG ST winner v. CLEM-MIZZ winner- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore (Buffalo, NY)
SYR-UVM winner v. GONZ-FLA ST winner- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore (Buffalo, NY)
OHIO ST-UCSB winner v. OKST-GT winner- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel (Milwaukee, WI)
PITT-OAK winner v. XAV-MINN winner- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel (Milwaukee, WI)
MD-HOU winner v. MICH ST-NMSU winner- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski (Spokane, WA)
PUR-SIE winner v. TAMU-USU winner- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski (Spokane, WA)

CBS Announces Pairings For 2010 Tournament

2010-03-10T15:44:00.003-05:00

It's getting close to Tournament time, and I wanted to pass along the CBS broadcaster pairings for March Madness®. The set of games tip-off at noon on Thursday, March 18 and concludes on Monday, and will end on April 5 with the National Championship game in Indianapolis. All the teams are the same as last year, with the exception of the addition of Spero Dedes.

Studio: Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony, Seth Davis

Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg
Dick Enberg//Jay Bilas
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore
Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner
Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel
Tim Brando/Mike Gminski
Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel

Your Conference Championships Announcing Schedule

2010-03-10T14:36:00.004-05:00

Below are your commentator pairings and schedule for the conference championships this week. The teams calling the championship game are listed first, and the names in parenthesis are the pairings for the early rounds.

ACC - Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale, Erin Andrew (Mike Patrick, Len Elmore)
Big East - Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery (Dave Pasch, Fran Fraschilla, Doris Burke)
Big Ten - Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin (ESPN), Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg (CBS)
Big XII - Brent Musburger, Bob Knight, Holly Rowe
A10 - Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery (CBS)
SEC - Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes, Jeannine Edwards
WAC - Terry Gannon, Stephen Bardo

Wednesday, March 10th

BIG EAST Championship Second Round: South Florida v. Georgetown- Dave Pasch, Fran Fraschilla, Doris Burke (ESPN, Noon)
Big 12 First Round: Colorado v. Texas Tech (Big 12 Network, 12:30pm)- Mitch Holthus, Reid Gettys
BIG EAST Championship Second Round: St. Johns v. Marquette- Dave Pasch, Fran Fraschilla, Doris Burke (ESPN, 2pm)
Big 12 First Round: Missouri v. Nebraska (Big 12 Network, 3pm)- Mitch Holthus, Reid Gettys
Mountain West First Round: Wyoming v. Air Force (MTN, 5pm)- James Bates, Joe Cravens
BIG EAST Championship Second Round: Notre Dame v. Seton Hall (ESPN, 7pm)- Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery
Northeast Championship: Robert Morris @ Quinnipiac (ESPN2, 7pm)- Bob Wischusen, Tim Welsh
Big 12 First Round: Oklahoma State v. Oklahoma (Big 12 Network, 7pm)- Dave Armstrong, Reid Gettys
BIG EAST Championship Second Round: Louisville v. Cincinnati- Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery (ESPN, 9pm)
Big Sky Championship: Montana v. Weber State (ESPN2, 9pm)- Dave Flemming, Bob Valvano
Big 12 First Round: Texas v. Iowa State (Big 12 Network, 9:30pm)- Dave Armstrong, Reid Gettys
Pac-10 First Round: Oregon v. Washington State (FSN, 11pm)- Barry Tompkins, Don MacLean, Rebecca Haarlow

Thursday, March 11th

Big East Quarterfinal: Syracuse v. GTOWN (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Fran Fraschilla, Doris Burke, Beth Mowins
Mid-American Quarterfinal: Central Michigan v. Western Michigan (FSN Regional, Noon)- TBD
Atlantic Coast First Round: Boston College v. Virginia (Raycom, Noon)- Tim Brant, Dan Bonner
Big 12 Quarterfinal: Kansas v. Texas Tech (ESPN2, 12:30pm)- Brent Musburger, Bob Knight, Holly Rowe
Conference USA Quarterfinal: Memphis v. Houston (CBS College Sports, 1pm)- Roger Twibell, Sean Farnham
Southeastern First Round: South Carolina v. Alabama (SEC Network, 1pm)- TBD
Big East Quarterfinal: Villanova v. MARQ-STJOHN winner (ESPN, 2pm)- Dave Pasch, Fran Fraschilla, Doris Burke, Beth Mowins
Big Ten First Round: Michigan v. Iowa (ESPN2, 2:30pm)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin
Mid-American Quarterfinal: Akron v. Eastern Michigan (FSN Regional, 2:30pm)- TBD
Atlantic Coast First Round: Wake Forest v. Miami (Raycom, 2:30pm)- Tim Brant, Dan Bonner, Scott Pryzwansky
Big 12 Quarterfinal: Texas A&M v. MIZZ-NEB winner (Big 12 Network, 3pm)- TBD
Pac-10 Quarterfinal: Arizona v. UCLA (FSN, 3pm)- Barry Tompkins, Don MacLean
Western Athletic Quarterfinal: Utah State v. Boise State (ESPNU, 3pm)- Todd Harris, Stephen Howard
Mountain West Quarterfinal: New Mexico v. WYO-AF winner (MTN, 3pm)- Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, Anne Marie Anderson
Conference USA Quarterfinal: UAB v. TULANE-USM winner (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- Roger Twibell, Sean Farnham
Southeastern First Round: Louisiana State v. Tennessee (SEC Network, 3:30pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes
Big Ten First Round: Northwestern v. Indiana (ESPN2, 4:30pm)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin
Western Athletic Quarterfinal: Louisiana Tech v. Fresno State (ESPNU, 5pm)- Todd Harris, Stephen Howard
Pac-10 Quarterfinal: California v. ORE-WSU winner (FSN, 5:30pm)- TBD
Mountain West Quarterfinal: San Diego State v. Colorado State (MTN, 5:30pm)- Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, Anne Marie Anderson
Big East Quarterfinal: Pittsburgh v. ND-SHU winner (ESPN, 7pm)- Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery, Jay Bilas, Beth Mowins
Atlantic Coast First Round: Georgia Tech v. North Carolina (ESPN2, 7pm)- Mike Patrick, Len Elmore
Mid-American Quarterfinal: Kent State v. Ohio (FSN Regional, 7pm)- TBD
Big 12 Quarterfinal: Kansas State v. OU-OKST winner (Big 12 Network, 7pm)- Dave Armstrong, Reid Gettys
Conference USA Quarterfinal: Marshall v. TULSA-RICE winner (CBS College Sports, 7:30pm)- Dave Ryan, Pete Gillen
Southeastern First Round: Auburn v. Florida (SEC Network, 7:30pm)- Eric Collins, Mark Gottfried
Big Ten First Round: Minnesota v. Penn State (BTN, 7:30pm)- Gus Johnson, Shon Morris, Charissa Thompson
Big East Quarterfinal: West Virginia v. CIN-LOU winner (ESPN, 9pm)- Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery, Jay Bilas, Beth Mowins
Pac-10 Quarterfinal: Arizona State v. Stanford (FSN, 9pm)- TBD
Mountain West Quarterfinal: Brigham Young v. Texas Christian (MTN, 9pm)- James Bates, Joe Cravens, Anne Marie Anderson
Mid-American Quarterfinal: Miami-OH v. Buffalo (FSN Regional, 9:30pm)- TBD
Atlantic Coast First Round: Clemson v. North Carolina State (Raycom, 9:30pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
Big 12 Quarterfinal: Baylor v. TEX-ISU winner (ESPN2, 9:30pm)- Brent Musburger, Bob Knight, Holly Rowe
Conference USA Quarterfinal: Texas-El Paso v. SMU-ECU winner (CBS College Sports, 10pm)- Dave Ryan, Pete Gillen
Southeastern First Round: Arkansas v. Georgia (SEC Network, 10pm)- TBD
Pac-10 Quarterfinal: Washington v. Oregon State (FSN, 11:30pm)- TBD
Mountain West Quarterfinal: UNLV v. Utah (MTN, 11:30pm)- James Bates, Joe Cravens, Anne Marie Anderson

Friday, March 12th

Big Ten Quarterfinal: Ohio State v. MICH-IOWA winner (ESPN, Noon)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin
Atlantic Coast Quarterfinal: Duke v. BC-UVA winner (ESPN2/Raycom, Noon)- Mike Patrick, Len Elmore, Erin Andews/Tim Brant, Mike Gminski
Atlantic 10 Quarterfinal: Temple v. St. Bonaventure (A-10 Network, Noon)- Eric Frede, John Griffin
Southeastern Quarterfinal: Kentucky v. ALA-SC winner (SEC Network, 1pm)- TBD
Big Ten Quarterfinal: Wisconsin v. Illinois (ESPN, 2pm)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin
Atlantic Coast Quarterfinal: Virginia Tech v. WAKE-MIA winner (ESPN2/Raycom, 2pm)- Dan Shulman, Len Elmore, Erin Andews/Tim Brant, Mike Gminski
Atlantic 10 Quarterfinal: Saint Louis v. Rhode Island (A-10 Network, 2:30pm)- Eric Frede, John Griffin
Southeastern Quarterfinal: Mississippi v. TENN-LSU winner (SEC Network, 3:30pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes
Conference USA Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (CBS College Sports, 4pm)- Dave Ryan, Pete Gillen
Patriot Championship: Lafayette @ Lehigh (ESPN2, 4:45pm)- Jon Sciambi, LaPhonso Ellis
Conference USA Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (CBS College Sports, 6:30pm)- Dave Ryan, Pete Gillen
Big Ten Quarterfinal: Purdue v. NW-IND winner (BTN, 6:30pm)- Gus Johnson, Shon Morris, Charissa Thompson
Atlantic 10 Quarterfinal: Xavier v. Dayton (A-10 Network, 6:30pm)- Jason Knapp, Steve Wolf
Big East Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ESPN, 7pm)- Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery, Jay Bilas, Doris Burke
Atlantic Coast Quarterfinal: Maryland v. GT-UNC winner (ESPN2/Raycom, 7pm)- Mike Patrick, Len Elmore, Erin Andews/Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
Mid-American Semifinal: CMU-WMU winner v. AKRON-EMU winner (FSN Regional, 7pm)- TBD
Big 12 Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (Big 12 Network, 7pm)- TBD
Southeastern Quarterfinal: Mississippi State v. FLA-AUB winner (SEC Network, 7:30pm)- TBD
Atlantic 10 Quarterfinal: Richmond v. Massachusetts (A-10 Network, 8:30pm)- Jason Knapp, Steve Wolf
Big East Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ESPN, 9pm)- Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery, Jay Bilas, Doris Burke
Atlantic Coast Quarterfinal: Florida State v. CLEM-NCST winner (ESPN2/Raycom, 9pm)- Mike Patrick, Len Elmore, Erin Andews/Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
Pac-10 Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (FSN, 9pm)- TBD
Big Ten Quarterfinal: 11 Michigan State v. MINN-PSU winner (BTN, 9pm)- Gus Johnson, Shon Morris, Charissa Thompson
Mountain West Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (CBS College Sports, 9pm)- TBD
Big West Semifinal: UC-Santa Barbara v. Lowest Seed (ESPNU, 9:30pm)- Chris McGee, Bob Valvano
Mid-American Semifinal: KENT-OHIO winner v. MIAOH-BUFF winner (FSN Regional, 9:30pm)- TBD
Big 12 Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (Big 12 Network, 9:30pm)- TBD
Southeastern Quarterfinal: 23 Vanderbilt v. ARK-UGA winner (SEC Network, 10pm)- Eric Collins, Mark Gottfried
Big West Semifinal: Pacific v. Highest Seed (ESPNU, 11:30pm)- Chris McGee, Bob Valvano
Pac-10 Semifinal: WASH-OREST winner v. AZST-STAN winner (FSN, 11:30pm)- TBD
Mountain West Semifinal: BYU-TCU winner v. UNLV-UTAH winner (CBS College Sports, 11:30pm)- TBD
Western Athletic Semifinal: NEV-IDAHO winner v. NMSU-SJSU winner (ESPN2, Midnight)- Terry Gannon, Stephen Bardo

Saturday, March 13th

Conference USA Championship: TBD (CBS, 11:30am)- TBD
America East Championship: Boston @ Vermont (ESPN2, Noon)- Bob Wischusen, Tim Welsh
Southeastern Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ABC, 1pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes, Jeannine Edwards
Atlantic 10 Semifinal: TEMP-STBON winner v. SLU-URI winner (CBS College Sports, 1pm)- TBD
Big Ten Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (CBS, 1:30pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Atlantic Coast Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ESPN/Raycom, 1pm)- Dan Shulman, Len Elmore, Erin Andrews/Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
Mid-Eastern Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 2pm)- Allen Hopkins, Stephen Howard
Southeastern Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ABC, 3:30pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes, Jeannine Edwards
Atlantic Coast Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ESPN/Raycom, 3:30pm)- Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale, Erin Andrews/Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
Atlantic 10 Semifinal: XAV-DAY winner v. RICH-MASS winner (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- TBD
Big Ten Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (CBS, 4pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Southland Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 4pm)- Lou Canellis, Mike Kelley
Pac-10 Championship: TBD (CBS, 6pm)- TBD
Big 12 Championship: TBD (ESPN, 6pm)- Brent Musburger, Bob Knight, Holly Rowe
Mid-American Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 6pm)- Ron Franklin, Mark Adams
Mountain West Championship: TBD (Versus, 7pm)- TBD
Big West Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 8pm)- Dave Flemming, Bob Valvano
Southwestern Championship: TBD (ESPNU, 8:30pm)- Charlie Neal, Daymeon Fischback
Big East Championship: TBD (ESPN, 9pm)- Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery, Jay Bilas, Doris Burke
Western Athletic Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 10pm)- Terry Gannon, Stephen Bardo

Sunday, March 14th

Southeastern Championship: TBD (ABC, 1pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes, Jeannine Edwards
Atlantic Coast Championship: TBD (ESPN/Raycom, 1pm)- Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale, Erin Andrews/Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
Atlantic 10 Championship: TBD (CBS, 1pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
Big 10 Championship: TBD (CBS, 3:30pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Orel Hershiser To Replace Phillips In Sunday Night Booth

2010-03-04T11:12:00.004-05:00

I really didn't think that ESPN would tab a replacement for Steve Phillips, following his firing this offseason, but alas....I was wrong. Orel Hershiser will be joining Jon Miller and Joe Morgan this season for Sunday Night Baseball. Via ESPN PR....

Jon Miller, the recently announced winner of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2010 Ford C. Frick Award, and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will be joined by ESPN analyst and former Major League Baseball Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser in the Sunday Night Baseball booth this season. Miller and Morgan are entering their 21st consecutive season on Sunday Night Baseball.

“Sunday Night Baseball distinctly offers Jon’s Hall of Fame voice and the combination of Joe’s Hall of Fame approach to hitting and Orel’s profound pitching knowledge,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “Collectively, they will provide compelling analysis and debate during our national game of the week.”

In addition to his Sunday Night responsibilities, Hershiser will continue to serve as analyst during ESPN’s College World Series and Little League World Series coverage. He will also provide analysis for Baseball Tonight. Hershiser most recently provided analysis for Monday Night Baseball in 2009, and has contributed to Wednesday Night Baseball.

I've always enjoyed Orel in the booth, and now he'll get a chance to showcase it with ESPN's "A-Team". Some find him bland, but his knowledge of game situations will help out a pair that has basically forgotten everything they've ever learned about the game.

Erin Andrews To Appear On DWTS

2010-03-01T22:43:00.004-05:00

For some reason, I just knew this would happen. A long time ago Erin Andrews was asked if she would take a spin on Dancing With The Stars, and she didn't rule it out. Well now she's actually set to appear in the latest edition of the popular ABC show, and she'll be joined by the craziest group of "stars" that have ever been assembled. Here are your 11 competitors....

- Pam Anderson
- Kate Gosselin
- Evan Lysacek
- Buzz Aldrin
- Shannen Doherty
- Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Doll)
- Niecy Nash (Reno 911)
- Erin Andrews
- Chad Ochocinco
- Aiden Turner (Soap Opera Dude)
- Jake Pavelka (Latest Bachelor)

Good god. Not only did they pull the last Bachelor right off the set, but they've snagged Ocho Cinco, Jon & Kate minus Jon and and actually dancer from a pop group. The apocalypse is upon us, folks.

Your NCAA Championship Week Announcing Schedule

2010-03-01T12:14:00.005-05:00

Here is your College Basketball Announcing Schedule, brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week. This week's lady is Virginia from Duke (above the "SKI"). Virginia loves Country music, and not only does she not DVR shows because she's too busy studying, but she lists her last meal as a giant cinnamon roll! Ready? OKAY!!!

(As always, thanks to the commenters from The 506 for their input)

Monday, March 1st

Georgetown @ West Virginia (ESPN, 7pm)- Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery, Jay Bilas
Arkansas-Pine Bluff @ Jackson State (ESPNU, 7pm)- Anthony Calhoun, Stan Lewter
Oklahoma @ Texas (ESPN, 9pm)- Brent Musburger, Bob Knight, Holly Rowe
North Carolina A&T @ Morgan State (ESPNU, 9pm)- Charlie Neal, Dennis Felton

Tuesday, March 2nd

Vanderbilt @ Florida (ESPN, 7pm)- Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes, Jeannine Edwards
Villanova @ Cincinnati (ESPN2, 7pm)- John Saunders, Fran Fraschilla
Minnesota @ Michigan (BTN, 7pm)- Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson
St. John's @ Syracuse (Big East Network, 7pm)- TBD
South Florida @ DePaul (ESPNU, 7:30pm)- Jim Barbar, Brooke Weisbrod
Colorado @ Nebraska (FSN Rocky Mountain, 8pm)- Greg Sharpe, Eric Piatkowski
Georgia Tech @ Clemson (Raycom, 8pm)- TBD
Miami @ North Carolina (Raycom, 8pm)- Steve Martin, Dan Bonne
Missouri @ Iowa State (Mizzou Sports, 8pm)- TBD
Baylor @ Texas Tech (Texas Tech Sports, 8pm)- TBD
Illinois @ Ohio State (ESPN, 9pm)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin, Erin Andrews
Cal State-Bakersfield @ Gonzaga (KHQ, 9pm)- TBD
Louisville @ Marquette (ESPNU, 9:30pm)- Lou Canellis, Mike Kelley
Air Force @ Wyoming (MTN, 9:30pm)- TBD
Portland State @ Seattle (FSN Regional, 11pm)- TBD

Wednesday, March 3rd

Indiana @ Purdue (BTN, 6:30pm)- TBD
Connecticut @ Notre Dame (ESPN, 7pm)- Rece Davis, Digger Phelps
Wake Forest @ Florida State (ESPN2, 7pm)- Mike Patrick, Len Elmore
Alabama @ South Carolina (ESPNU, 7pm)- Carter Blackburn, Litterial Green
Patriot League Quarterfinal: Holy Cross vs. Bucknell (CBS College Sports, 7pm)- TBD
Xavier @ Fordham (FS Ohio, 7pm)- TBD
Arkansas @ Tennessee (CSS, 7pm)- TBD
Charlotte @ Rhode Island (Cox-New England, 7pm)- TBD
Temple @ Saint Louis (FS Midwest, 8pm)- TBD
Kansas State @ Kansas (Big 12 Network, 8pm)- TBD
Kentucky @ Georgia (SEC Network, 8pm)- TBD
Mississippi State @ Auburn (SEC Network, 8pm)- TBD
Iowa @ Wisconsin (BTN, 8:30pm)- TBD
Texas Christian @ New Mexico (MTN, 8:30pm)- TBD
Duke @ Maryland (ESPN, 9pm)- Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Erin Andrews
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M (ESPN2, 9pm)- Ron Franklin, Stephen Bardo
Virginia @ Boston College (ESPNU, 9pm)- Dan McLaughlin, Tim Welsh, Andy Katz
Brigham Young @ Utah (CBS College Sports, 9pm)- TBD
Memphis @ UAB (CSS, 9pm)- TBD
Colorado State @ San Diego State (MTN, 10:30pm)- TBD

Thursday, March 4th

Big South Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ESPNU, 6pm)- Jon Sciambi, LaPhonso Ellis
Eastern Michigan @ Central Michigan (FS Detroit, 6:30pm)- TBD
Seton Hall @ Rutgers (ESPN, 7pm)- TBD
Penn State @ Michigan State (ESPN2, 7pm)- TBD
Dayton @ Richmond (CBS College Sports, 7pm)- TBD
Buffalo @ Miami-OH (FS Ohio, 7pm)- TBD
Ball State @ Western Michigan (BSSN, 7pm)- TBD
USC @ Arizona State (FSN, 8:30pm)- TBD
Big South Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ESPNU, 8:30pm)- Jon Sciambi, LaPhonso Ellis
Louisiana State @ Mississippi (ESPN, 9pm)- TBD
Providence @ Pittsburgh (ESPN2, 9pm)- TBD
Prairie View A&M @ Southern (CST, 9pm)- TBD
Houston Baptist @ North Dakota (BSSN, 9pm)- TBD
San Jose State @ Idaho (ESPN+, 10pm)- TBD
UCLA @ Arizona (FSN, 10:30pm)- TBD
Pacific @ Cal State-Fullerton (ESPNU, 11pm)- TBD

Friday, March 5th

Missouri Valley Quarterfinal: Northern Iowa v. #8/#9 (MVC Network, 1pm)- TBD
Missouri Valley Quarterfinal: #4 v. #5 (MVC Network, 3:30pm)- TBD
Atlantic Sun Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (CSS, 6:30pm)- TBD
Ohio Valley Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ESPNU, 7pm)- Bob Wischusen, Tim Welsh
Missouri Valley Quarterfinal: #2 v. #7 (MVC Network, 7pm)- TBD
Kent State @ Akron (ESPN2, 8pm)- Lou Canellis, Mike Kelley
St. John's @ DePaul (Big East Network, 8:30pm)- TBD
Atlantic Sun Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (CSS, 9pm)- TBD
Ohio Valley Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ESPNU, 9:30pm)- Bob Wischusen, Tim Welsh
Missouri Valley Quarterfinal: #3 v. #6 (MVC Network, 9:30pm)- TBD
UC-Riverside @ Long Beach State (FS West, 10:30pm)- TBD

Saturday, March 6th

West Virginia @ Villanova (CBS, Noon)- TBD
Texas A&M @ Oklahoma (ESPN, Noon)- TBD
Florida State @ Miami (ESPN2, Noon)- TBD
Northwestern @ Indiana (BTN, Noon)- TBD
Colonial Quarterfinal: #1 v. #8/9 (CAA Network, Noon)- TBD
Tulsa @ Memphis (CBS College Sports, 1pm)- TBD
USC @ Arizona (FSN Regional, 1:30pm)- TBD
Nebraska @ Oklahoma State (Big 12 Network, 1:30pm)- TBD
Auburn @ Alabama (SEC Network, 1:30pm)- TBD
Maryland @ Virginia (Raycom, 1:30pm)- TBD
Kansas @ Missouri (CBS, 2pm)- TBD
Syracuse @ Louisville (ESPN, 2pm)- TBD
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt (ESPN2, 2pm)- TBD
Connecticut @ South Florida (Big East Network, 2pm)- TBD
Notre Dame @ Marquette (Big East Network, 2pm)- TBD
Purdue @ Penn State (BTN, 2:30pm)- TBD
Colonial Quarterfinal: #4 v. #5/12 (CAA Network, 2:30pm)- TBD
Missouri Valley Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (MVC Network, 2:30pm)- TBD
Metro Atlantic Quarterfinal: #4 v. #5 (MAAC Network, 2:30pm)- TBD
Sam Houston State @ Texas State (Southland TV, 3pm)- TBD
Utah @ Colorado State (MTN, 3:30pm)- TBD
Arizona State @ UCLA (CBS, 4pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
Texas @ Baylor (ESPN, 4pm)- TBD
Big South Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 4pm)- Jon Sciambi, LaPhonso Ellis
Wyoming @ UNLV (Versus, 4pm)- TBD
St. Bonaventure @ Xavier (FS Ohio, 4pm)- TBD
Rhode Island @ Massachusetts (Cox-New England, 4pm)- TBD
Texas Tech @ Colorado (Big 12 Network, 4pm)- TBD
Mississippi @ Arkansas (SEC Network, 4pm)- TBD
Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech (Raycom, 4pm)- TBD
LaSalle @ St. Joseph's (A-10 Network, 4pm)- TBD
Rutgers @ Pittsburgh (Big East Network, 4:30pm)- TBD
Metro Atlantic Quarterfinal: #1 v. #8/9 (MAAC Network, 4:30pm)- TBD
Missouri Valley Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (MVC Network, 5pm)- TBD
Georgia @ Louisiana State (SEC Network, 5pm)- TBD
Texas Southern @ Southern (CST, 5:30pm)- TBD
Tennessee @ Mississippi State (ESPN, 6pm)- TBD
Atlantic Sun Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 6pm)- Rob Stone, Tim McCormick
California @ Stanford (FSN, 6pm)- TBD
Colonial Quarterfinal: #2 v. #7/10 (CAA Network, 6pm)- TBD
Brigham Young @ Texas Christian (MTN, 6pm)- TBD
Iowa State @ Kansas State (Big 12 Network, 6pm)- TBD
Saint Louis @ Dayton (A-10 Network, 7pm)- TBD
Metro Atlantic Quarterfinal: #2 v. #7/10 (MAAC Network, 7:30pm)- TBD
Ohio Valley Championship: TBD (ESPN2, 8pm)- Bob Wischusen, Tim Welsh
Horizon Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ESPNU, 8pm)- Jim Barbar, Mark Adams
Houston @ Tulane (CBS College Sports, 8pm)- TBD
Washington @ Oregon State (FSN Northwest, 8pm)- TBD
Washington State @ Oregon (OSN, 8pm)- TBD
Marshall @ SMU (Metro Sports, 8pm)- TBD
Hawaii @ Idaho (SWX, 8pm)- TBD
Colonial Quarterfinal: #3 v. #6/11 (CAA Network, 8:30pm)- TBD
North Carolina @ Duke (ESPN, 9pm)- Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale, Erin Andrews
San Diego State @ Air Force (MTN, 9pm)- TBD
New Mexico State @ Utah State (Aggie Vision/KUCW, 9pm)- TBD
Horizon Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ESPNU, 10pm)- Jim Barbar, Mark Adams
Metro Atlantic Quarterfinal: #3 v. #6 (MAAC Network, 10pm)- TBD

Sunday, March 6th

Florida @ Kentucky (CBS, Noon)- TBD
Wisconsin @ Illinois (ESPN, Noon)- TBD
Missouri Valley Championship: TBD (CBS, 2pm)- TBD
Northeast Semifinal: TBD (NEC Network, 2pm)- TBD
Boston College @ North Carolina State (Raycom, 2pm)- TBD
Colonial Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (CAA Network, 3pm)- TBD
Michigan @ Michigan State (CBS, 4pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
Metro Atlantic Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (MAAC Network, 4:30pm)- TBD
America East Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (America East Network, 5pm)- TBD
Colonial Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (CAA Network, 5:30pm)- TBD
Clemson @ Wake Forest (FSN, 6pm)- TBD
Iowa @ Minnesota (BTN, 6pm)- TBD
Southern Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (SportSouth, 6pm)- TBD
Metro Atlantic Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (MAAC Network, 6:30pm)- TBD
America East Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (America East Network, 7:30pm)- TBD
West Coast Semifinal: Semifinal #1 (ESPN2, 8:30pm)- Terry Gannon, Stephen Bardo
Southern Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (SportSouth, 8:30pm)- TBD
West Coast Semifinal: Semifinal #2 (ESPN2, 10:30pm)- Terry Gannon, Stephen Bardo

(The CBB schedule comes out on either Monday or Tuesday and will update throughout the week as game notes become available)

It's Been A Tough Week For SVP

2010-02-26T11:43:00.004-05:00

A few days ago, Scott Van Pelt got prank called by a Howard Stern staple Captain Janks, but apparently that was just the start to his week. Late last night, the Sports Center anchor added to his woes by dropping an F-bomb when he thought his mic was off....

Those apologies always seem so awkward to me. I understand they have to be done, but it's f**king one o'clock in the morning! If someone watching at that hour gets offended....f**k em.

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt Drops F-Bomb (Only Gators)

ESPN Going Back To Its Roots, Signs Two-Year Deal With AVP

2010-02-24T11:44:00.003-05:00

It seems like just yesterday that ESPN was airing only archery, pool, and various lumberjack events. They've also been grabbing up every tv deal available these days, so heck....why not bring some Beach Volleyball into the fray!?

ESPN has signed a two-year deal with the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), and will begin airing events this April. Via ESPN PR....

Today the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour announced a broadcast agreement with ABC and ESPN to televise its events over the next two years. The agreement includes 13 AVP telecasts in 2010, four on ABC and nine on ESPN2. The schedule totals more than 19 hours of live HD coverage for the season, including the Tour Championship in Chicago, giving the AVP its most consistent television footprint ever. Coverage will begin with the Tour’s season-opener in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., April 18 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

“This new agreement gives us a consistent national reach that will be essential to our growth as a sport, and we couldn’t be more excited that both our passionate fans and a growing new audience will be able to follow us on ESPN,” said Jason Hodell, Chief Executive Officer of the AVP. “The 2010 season will showcase the veterans and new stars of the AVP to a very large audience, and there couldn’t be a better place for that exposure than ABC and ESPN.”

“As one of the most athletic and action packed sports in the world, we look forward to working with the AVP,” added Doug White, ESPN senior director of programming. “The matches will be a great addition to ESPN’s programming and we are excited to present coverage of the league, their athletes and their tournaments across our multimedia platforms.”

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of the AVP will include six hours of action on ABC and 13.5 hours of men’s and women’s weekend action, live streaming of the matches on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s 24/7 broadband sports network soon to be renamed ESPN3.com, and up-to-the-minute scores via the ESPN ScoreCenter mobile app for iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

There's no doubting Beach Volleyball's popularity during the Olympics, but I'm not sure if that will translate over to cable television. Here's the schedule if you'd like to check it out though....

2010 ESPN and ABC AVP Television Schedule

Sun, April 18th - Women/Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (ESPN2,ESPN360, 5:30pm)
Sun, May 2nd - Men/Santa Barbara, Calif. (ESPN2/ESPN360, 5:30pm)
Sun, June 6th - 2 p.m. Women/Huntington Beach, Calif. (ESPN2, ESPN360, 2pm)
Sun, June 6th - Men/Huntington Beach, Calif. (ABC, 4pm)
Sun, June 20th - Women/Virginia Beach, Va. (ESPN2, ESPN360, 2pm)
Sun, June 27th - Women/Belmar, N.J. (ESPN2, ESPN360, 2pm)
Sun, July 18th - Men/Hermosa Beach, Calif. (ESPN2, Midnight)
Sun, July 25th - Women/Malibu, Calif. (ABC, 4pm)
Sun, July 25th - Men/Malibu, Calif. (ESPN2, ESPN360, 11pm)
Sun, Aug. 22nd - Women/Manhattan Beach, Calif. (ABC, 4:30pm)
Sun, Aug. 29th - Men/Chicago, Ill. (ABC, 1:30pm)
Sun, Aug. 29th - Women/Chicago, Ill. (ESPN2, Midnight)
Sun, Sep. 19th - Flex/Hermosa Beach, Calif. (ESPN2, Midnight)

Sports Center Gets Prank Called By Stern Wack Packer

2010-02-24T09:55:00.003-05:00

Captain Janks has been making prank calls for the Howard Stern show for years, and late last night he got Sports Center and more specifically Scott Van Pelt....

Wow. Someone is getting fired over that one.

Video: Howard Stern Show Prank Calls ESPN SportsCenter as Brian Westbrook (BSO)

ESPN Hires Aaron "F'ing" Boone As Baseball Analyst

2010-02-23T11:12:00.003-05:00

Another day....another ESPN hire. This time it's the bane of Red Sox fans everywhere, Aaron Boone. Boone officially retired today, and immediately following that announcement, signed with ESPN. Via the "Leader"....

Aaron Boone today formally announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after a 12-year career and his new role as an ESPN baseball analyst. Boone will mainly be seen on Baseball Tonight (debuting in March), in addition to select appearances as a game analyst. He worked for ESPN Radio as a guest analyst during the 2009 National League Division Series.

“It is with a sense of pride, sadness, and enthusiasm that I formally announce my retirement after 16 years of professional baseball,” Boone said. “It has been a privilege and honor to have played in the Major Leagues for 12 seasons for six different clubs.

“While it's tough to leave the game as a player, I am eager to start my next career with my new team at ESPN. I am very grateful that I'll be able to stay in the game as an ESPN analyst and work with people who share the same passion for baseball that I do. I really appreciate ESPN giving me the opportunity to evolve in the sport that I love.

“Finally, I'd like to express my thanks to everyone that treated me so well throughout my Major League career.”

Jay Levy, ESPN senior coordinating producer, said, “As a player, Aaron was a tremendous competitor known for one of baseball's most dramatic postseason walk-off home runs. He offers an important perspective, being recently removed from the game and having deep baseball roots, which will make him a great addition to our team.”

I caught a bit of Boone on the radio last year, and I have to say that he wasn't that bad. He obviously needs some time under his belt, but I think he might actually work out for them.

TBS Releases Early Season MLB Schedule

2010-02-22T13:03:00.003-05:00

There's still no word on a replacement for Chip Caray, but that's not stopping TBS from releasing their early season MLB schedule. Per usual, you get a lot of AL East and NL Central with a little NL East added here and there. All games are on Sunday and EST....

April 11th - NY Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (1:30pm)
April 18th - Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox (1:30pm)
April 25th - Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers (2pm)
May 2nd - Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees (1pm)
May 9th - Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies (1:30pm)
May 16th - Minnesota Twins at NY Yankees (1pm)
May 23rd - Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies (1:30pm)
May 30th - St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs (2:15pm)

Barry Melrose Shares His Beauty Secrets, Dana Jacobson Apologizes For Them

2010-02-17T13:31:00.001-05:00

You Been Blinded came across this very odd exchange on First Take yesterday, and I had to share this afternoon. Yesterday, Dana Jacobson and Jay Crawford were joking with Barry Melrose (who was off set) about what he uses to keep his "middle age good looks", and....well....just watch....

He did say "chicken SHIP" (not S**T), but still....a little odd right? I thought the exchange was rather funny, but apparently the powers that be made Jacobson apologize for the comment....

Man, Dana is always doing other people's dirty work. I can think of about three different people she's had to apologize for, and that of course doesn't include herself (see: Mike & Mike Roast). I guess ESPN thinks she's had the practice.

Barry Melrose Uses Chicken Ship as Skin Care Product (You Been Blinded)