NCAA Football FanHouse

More Hall of Fame Tears From Dick Vitale

Michael David Smith — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

ESPN's Dick Vitale was introduced by CBS play-by-play man Jim Nantz when Vitale's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame became official, and just as he did on Monday morning, he started to cry:

Via Awful Announcing.

Vitale is an emotional guy, whether he's talking about his favorite payers or his favorite coaches or his parents or his own broadcasting career. Sometimes his emotion can inspire and sometimes it can grate, but it's that approach to the game that got him into the Hall of Fame.

I thought it was classy of Nantz to show as much reverence for Vitale as he did, even though it's Nantz's own partner, Billy Packer, whom he wants to see in the Hall of Fame.

More Hall of Fame Tears From Dick Vitale originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight's Volkswagen Commercial Is Stupid

Michael David Smith — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:40:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball, ESPN

Former coach and current ESPN analyst Bob Knight is nothing if not a shill for any company that will pay him to endorse its product, and his latest is this Volkswagen commercial:

I have to say, it sucks, and it's a little embarrassing to watch Knight making a fool of himself like that. Awful Announcing says, "I'm all for people making as much money anyway they can, but this is a little ridiculous." And Sporting Blog says, "this new VW commercial featuring Knight is just not good. Like, at all." I agree. C'mon, Knight. You're better than that.

Bob Knight's Volkswagen Commercial Is Stupid originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bobby Knight Would Like You to Consider Buying a German Automobile

Josh Alper — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

Anyone got a temperature reading from hell? It was totally unthinkable just a few months ago but it seems that Bobby Knight has made a full 180-degree shift from ornery basketball coach to cuddly television analyst and pitchman. Well, he's not actually cuddly but he's doing his best to challenge Dick Vitale, Chris Berman and the rest of his ESPN colleagues when it comes to spreading his seed to corporate America.

I'm not really feeling it. Doesn't Knight strike you as the type who would only ever buy an American car?

Knight's no stranger to endorsements, of course, as his increasingly NASCARish sweaters at Texas Tech made quite clear. Nor is he actually a stranger to the world of television commercials. After the jump, check out a vintage ad from the General.

Now that's a fun ad. Makes me want to grab some Minute Maid and have a laugh with Bobby Knight, which aren't two things I'm normally feeling.

(H/T Awful Announcing for the VW clip)

Bobby Knight Would Like You to Consider Buying a German Automobile originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dick Vitale Cries on ESPN as He Reveals He's in the Basketball Hall of Fame

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale appeared on Mike and Mike in the Morning today and revealed that he's been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame

The news, which comes on the heels of yesterday's announcement that Vitale is in the less prestigious College Basketball Hall of Fame, will be announced officially today at noon at the Final Four in San Antonio.

"I get so emotional because I can't believe that I'll be there with those people that I used to go to Madison Square Garden and watch," Vitale said.

Dick Vitale Cries on ESPN as He Reveals He's in the Basketball Hall of Fame originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN's Steve Lavin, Brad Nessler Drool Over Jimmy Dykes' Wife

Michael David Smith — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:16:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

Awful Announcing presents this video from ESPN's coverage of the College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Shootout Contest. The camera pans on the wife and daughter of Jimmy Dykes, who was working the event as an ESPN broadcaster, and then things get awkward:

First one of Dykes' ESPN colleagues, Brad Nessler, referred to Dykes' wife as "gorgeous." That might be crossing the line a little bit.

And then the other ESPN broadcaster, Steve Lavin, went well past the line: "Wow. That is impressive, Jimmy. That is clearly Exhibit A, B and C for one, overachieving, two, playing outside your league, and three, what do they call it, out-punting your coverage in football? I think that's what it is. Impressive"

OK, Steve, we get it. You think Dykes' wife is attractive. You can stop now.

ESPN's Steve Lavin, Brad Nessler Drool Over Jimmy Dykes' Wife originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Letterman's Top 10 Signs You're Watching Too Much NCAA Basketball

Michael David Smith — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:55:00 EST

Filed under: Duke Basketball, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Video, TV and Movies

David Letterman isn't exactly known as a company man, but he's happy to promote CBS's coverage of the NCAA Tournament with a top 10 list:

The great thing about Letterman is that he can take something as obvious and seemingly overdone as the spelling of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's name and make it into a funny punch line.

David Letterman's Top 10 Signs You're Watching Too Much NCAA Basketball originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Letterman Thinks Butler Deserves Another Chance Against Tennessee

Michael David Smith — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:48:00 EST

Filed under: Tennessee Basketball, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, Butler Basketball, TV and Movies

David Letterman was born in Indianapolis, the home of Butler University, and that may be why he's convinced that Butler deserves another chance at playing Tennessee, the team it lost to in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday:

"The Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Butler Bulldogs, 76-71," Letterman said. "Apparently, there still is some time on the clock, so they're going to run the overtime over again. They found that they had let the clock run during a timeout mistakenly, and they think there's a good chance that Butler will be back in the Tournament."

I'm not sure it works that way, but I do like the way Letterman has maintained loyalty to his Indiana teams even after working in New York for three decades. He's no fair-weather fan.

David Letterman Thinks Butler Deserves Another Chance Against Tennessee originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CBS Criticized for Britney Spears 'How I Met Your Mother' Commercials in March Madness

Michael David Smith — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:55:00 EST

Filed under: March Madness, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, TV and Movies

In case you didn't see it 10,000 times while watching the NCAA Tournament the last four days, here's the commercial CBS has been showing during the games to advertise the fact that Britney Spears will be a guest star on How I Met Your Mother:

Is that OK with you? It's not OK with Michael McCarthy of USA Today, who writes:

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.

Although I disagree with McCarthy's apparent opinion that "Hollywood" represents what's immoral about our country while "Middle America" represents what's right, I've long thought that the TV networks show inappropriate content during commercials of sporting events. The best option for parents is to change the channel when the commercials come on.

CBS Criticized for Britney Spears 'How I Met Your Mother' Commercials in March Madness originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN Needs to Stop With the Horrible 'ACC Tournament in Charlotte' Song

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, Charlotte, ESPN

If you have watched the ACC tournament, you have been endured to this video above. It is some dude standing in a gym singing about the ACC in Charlotte.

"Wearing the colors proud-ly!"

This has been one of the worst intros in the history of intros. Not only is it grating but it sticks in your head long after the fact. My wife and I ran a few errands and I caught myself singing "representing the ACC in Charlotte". I think she wanted to slap me.

Thank god the tournament is over and that we don't have to be subjected to it again. As someone who lived most of my life in Charlotte, that song sucked beyond belief. If you live in Charlotte (which my family still does) then you weren't subjected to any of this. You got to see the WBTV broadcast of the game and ESPN was blacked out. So, watch above and get ready to cringe.

ESPN Needs to Stop With the Horrible 'ACC Tournament in Charlotte' Song originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bo Ryan Gets a T for Yelling at Brian Butch

Michael David Smith — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:37:00 EST

Filed under: Wisconsin Basketball, Michigan Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

Wisconsin is having a fairly easy time of it in today's Big Ten Tournament game against Michigan, but there was one little glitch during the first half, when Badgers coach Bo Ryan got a technical foul for yelling at his own player, Brian Butch:

After Butch was out-played in the paint, Ryan got up off his chair and yelled at Butch. But referee Steve Skiles though Ryan was yelling at him, and gave him a technical foul. Here's how ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews explained it:

"Bo Ryan was screaming to Brian Butch, 'Be strong. Stay strong inside.' Skiles thought he was talking to him, and when he came over and explained it to Bo Ryan, he said, 'It wasn't what you said, it was the fact that you stomped your foot.'"

ESPN announcer Steve Lavin said, "That must be a new amendment to the rulebook, no stomping of the feet. We're never going to get through a game if that becomes a rule."

If Ryan actually stepped foot onto the floor while play was in progress, I could understand giving him a technical for that. But if the technical was just for stomping his foot while yelling something to one of his players, well, that's pretty dumb.

Bo Ryan Gets a T for Yelling at Brian Butch originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky's Gillispie: "Maybe There is One Coach" That Wouldn't Want the Challenge

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:42:00 EST

Filed under: Florida Basketball, Kentucky Basketball, SEC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

Here is an interview that Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie had on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption.

He was asked about the pressure and expectations of coaching at a place at Kentucky. At the 2:30 mark, he says this:

"I can't think of one coach in Ameri- ... well, maybe there's one coach or a few coaches that wouldn't want that challenge."

That had to be a shot at Florida coach Billy Donovan. Maybe shot is a strong word, but it is still a dig at the Gators coach. As you may know, Donovan was the frontrunner for the Kentucky job and bowed out ... which gave Gillispie the shot.

Gillispie has rewarded the Wildcats with a dramatic turnaround midseason, a 12-4 SEC mark, a share of the SEC Coach of the Year award and a likely trip to the NCAA tournament.

In Donovan's defense, he had his own challenge. Building a basketball program at a football school and winning back-to-back championships is quite a feat. You cannot blame him for not wanting to leave that.

Kentucky's Gillispie: "Maybe There is One Coach" That Wouldn't Want the Challenge originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Erin Andrews on Bruce Pearl Mauling: I Wasn't Surprised at All Because He's Very Passionate

Michael David Smith — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:49:00 EST

Filed under: Tennessee Basketball, SEC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

In case you haven't seen it by now, Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl grabbed ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews during a halftime interview last month:

That has become one of the most-discussed incidents of the college basketball season, and in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Andrews gave her thoughts about it:

He gave me a big bear hug. I wasn't surprised at all because he's very passionate. But right when it happened, you could see the reaction on my face: Oh, God, this is going to be all over the place.

He texted me and said: "Thanks for doing the game. Great working with you.'' I said: "Absolutely'' and mentioned: "You know this is gonna get a ton of play on the Internet, don't you?'' He's like: "Oh, yeah.'' He gets it.

Via Sports by Brooks.

Erin Andrews on Bruce Pearl Mauling: I Wasn't Surprised at All Because He's Very Passionate originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coach K Thinks Bob Knight Will Coach Again

Michael David Smith — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:55:00 EST

Filed under: Duke Basketball, Indiana Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball, ESPN

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption today, and he had some interesting thoughts about his mentor, Bob Knight, who resigned -- but didn't retire -- this season:

"I still don't think he's through with coaching," Krzyzewski said. "I think he'll come back -- not that he's told me that, but he loves the game so much."

I think he'll return to coaching, too, but it's odd to think of Knight as someone who "loves the game so much," just because he never seems happy when he's in the process of coaching.

Krzyzewski also said he hopes Knight, in his work as an ESPN analyst during March Madness, spends time actually teaching the viewers about the game and its history. I'd love to see that, but I'd love it even more if Knight would answer legitimate questions from his co-workers.

Coach K Thinks Bob Knight Will Coach Again originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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15 Years Since Jim Valvano's "Don't Give Up" Speech at the ESPYs

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:51:00 EST

Filed under: NC State Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, Carolina, ESPN

Hard to believe that it has been 15 years since those magical first ESPY awards when former NC State coach Jim Valvano gave his famous "Don't Give Up" speech. Back on March 3, 1993, Jimmy V stood in front of a packed house to accep the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award when he gave his now legendary speech.

"To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."

"Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. I thank you and God bless you all."

Valvano would pass away less than two months later.

15 Years Since Jim Valvano's "Don't Give Up" Speech at the ESPYs originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Lupica Welcomes Bob Knight to ESPN

Michael David Smith — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

I suspect there are a lot of ESPN employees who don't like the fact that Bob Knight, the college basketball coach who spent more than three decades treating the media with contempt, is now working at ESPN. But most of them will keep quiet about it. Mike Lupica, on the other hand, welcomed Knight to the Worldwide Leader today on The Sports Reporters:

Lupica said, "I want Knight to know that we're going to be a lot more tolerant of him than he's always been of us, now that he's officially become one of us. Of course, having been one of them for so long before becoming one of us, there's a chance that the transition from a profession he loved to one he routinely ridiculed, might be a little more difficult for Knight than it's been for other out-of-work coaches."

Lupica makes a crack about Knight wearing makeup on TV and advises Knight not to swear on television, not to strangle Dick Vitale, Digger Phelps or John Saunders, and not to throw any chairs.

Mike Lupica Welcomes Bob Knight to ESPN originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN's Brent Musberger: 'I Can't Wait to See Erin Andrews on YouTube Tonight'

Michael David Smith — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wisconsin Basketball, Michigan State Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

No. 10 Wisconsin beat No. 19 Michigan State 57-42 Thursday night in a big game between two of the top teams in the Big Ten. Once the game got into garbage time, ESPN's Brent Musberger and Steve Lavin took a little time out to discuss MySpace, YouTube, and the popularity of Erin Andrews on the Internet:

"I can't wait to see Erin Andrews on YouTube tonight," Musberger said. "I mean, I always look to see. She's the star attraction."

College Hoops Journal calls this "Your Weekly Brent Musberger Lusting for Erin Andrews Update."

ESPN's Brent Musberger: 'I Can't Wait to See Erin Andrews on YouTube Tonight' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight Joins ESPN but Still Refuses to Answer ESPN's Questions on Indiana

Michael David Smith — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:44:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball, ESPN

Most people who are new on a job try to do their best to be helpful, but former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight is not most people. So the news that Knight joining ESPN as a college basketball analyst does not mean Knight will answer ESPN's questions about the current situation at Indiana:

Appearing on Mike and Mike in the Morning, Knight gave a nonsense answer to Mike Greenberg's completely legitimate question about Knight's thoughts on the mess created by Kelvin Sampson. When Greenberg asked again, Knight said, "I appreciate very much your doggedness in this, but we're done with that subject."

And that was it. Which is ridiculous. ESPN should have told Knight that as long as he's cashing an ESPN paycheck, he needs to answer the questions that ESPN's hosts ask him. That would have made for some compelling TV and radio for ESPN's viewers and listeners. Instead, we got an exercise in time-wasting that concluded with Greenberg comparing Knight to his wife.

Bob Knight Joins ESPN but Still Refuses to Answer ESPN's Questions on Indiana originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PTI Guys Discuss the Oregon Sequins

Michael David Smith — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Oregon Basketball, Pac-10 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, Oregon, ESPN

You know those ridiculous uniforms the Oregon football team wears? Yeah, that has now spread to basketball. The Ducks' hoops team wore jerseys over the weekend with their names spelled out on the back in sequins, and the Pardon the Interruption guys had something to say about it today:

I thought the sequins looked completely stupid, and I'm amazed that Tony Kornheiser said, "I loved the glitter to them." And even Michael Wilbon said he was OK with sequins but just wished they had been yellow so they stood out against the green cloth.

PTI Guys Discuss the Oregon Sequins originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dick Vitale on Kelvin Sampson: 'Why?'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:17:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

Appearing on ESPN2 this morning, Dick Vitale asked the obvious question about the recently fired Indiana basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson:

"My big question, that day when I did the game, is why?" Vitale said. "Why in the world would you take a chance with phone calls that really aren't going to change the complexion of your recruiting? ... Why in the world would Kelvin Sampson, who can motivate, he can inspire, he can X-and-O, he can coach, jeopardize that opportunity after he was under penalties at Oklahoma? I just don't understand, but again, you have to get into the psyche of what makes a guy, I guess."

That's the question I can't figure out either. Why does Kelvin Sampson simply have no interest at all in following the rules of the NCAA? I can understand why Sampson might not agree with the rules, but I can't understand why he would allow his contempt for the rules to ruin his coaching career. As Vitale said, you have to get into the psyche of what makes a guy, I guess.

Dick Vitale on Kelvin Sampson: 'Why?' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bruce Pearl Mauls Erin Andrews

Michael David Smith — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:37:00 EST

Filed under: Tennessee Basketball, Memphis Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, ESPN

At halftime of last night's Tennessee victory over Memphis, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl got a little too handsy with ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews:

Andrews asked Pearl, "Coach, what has Memphis done to Chris Lofton in the first half?"

Pearl responded, "Hold him. Drape him like this." At that point, Pearl proceeded to put Andrews in a bear hug, and a shocked Andrews said, "OK."

But she did manage to overcome her shock and ask him another question before concluding the interview.
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Bruce Pearl Mauls Erin Andrews originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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