Announcing for the UNC game

[tomcat]

I know that knocking the TV "commentators" is a sporting event here on the BY, but I have to say I have never been as angry with announcers as I was last night during he NC game. If they called 10% of the actual plays in the game, I'd be surprised. They trotted out every stale story about every player, traded jokes about themselves and generally did everything they could to NOT tell people what was going on. At least ESPN was truthful. Both were commentators; neither was a play-by-play announcer.

They did not tell us when players were subbing in and out of the game. And when unusual things happened on the court, they were nowhere to be found. For example, when Sarah had a cut on her hand, the cameras followed her to the bench, but the announcers were maybe 15 seconds behind that action as they continued talking about whatever randomness was intriguing them at the moment. With their almost sickening obsession with Sarah and Azzi, I don't recall hearing KK Arnold highlighted in any meaningful way until the third quarter. Over and over we heard them say that everyone focuses on UConn's offense, but they have a pretty good defense, too. Well, yes, but the reality, as well know, is that UConn thrives on turning defensive stops into points.

Sure hope they are not assigned to the next game.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[BRS24]

View attachment 118827

phew. And Kanter's perspectives on fouls is starting to grow on me?

 

[AmeriConn]

I like Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli the best. They’re all business.

 

[ConnMotors]

I watched the game but was listening to Bob and Debbie on the radio. Just better UConn Basketball.

 

[Huskee11]

The men's game last night was called by Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, and Grant Hill. I find three to be one too many, although somehow they pull it off. That game was thrilling and their announcing and focus on what was going on moment by moment added to the drama. They know the game and add insight without being overbearing.

Anyhow, after previously watching the UConn women's game and the mediocre announcing for that game, it strikes me that there is simply a fundamental difference in how the games are announced - or at least how those games were announced - and it reflects what the respective announcing teams think is important:

For the men's game, it was all about what is going on at that moment on the court. The game itself is the focus. It is enough, it is worthy of complete and undivided attention. Every call, every foul, every basket, it all matters.

They do banter a bit, for example Bill's self-deprecating comments about his coaching days, but those detours are brief, often humorous, and they get in and out of them quickly.

For the women, they apparently didn't think the game is enough. It is more about the storylines, the personalities, the anecdotes, the families, etc. They do not get in and out of them quickly because that is what they think is important. Possessions come and go but the story is still being told.

They must put a lot of time and effort in ahead of time, and feel like they have to get all of their "research" out there even if that means neglecting the action on the court. I find it disrespectful to the fans, but even more so to the game itself.

 

[HuskyNan]

The men's game last night was called by Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, and Grant Hill. I find three to be one too many, although somehow they pull it off. That game was thrilling and their announcing and focus on what was going on moment by moment added to the drama. They know the game and add insight without being overbearing.

Anyhow, after previously watching the UConn women's game and the mediocre announcing for that game, it strikes me that there is simply a fundamental difference in how the games are announced - or at least how those games were announced - and it reflects what the respective announcing teams think is important:

For the men's game, it was all about what is going on at that moment on the court. The game itself is the focus. It is enough, it is worthy of complete and undivided attention. Every call, every foul, every basket, it all matters.

They do banter a bit, for example Bill's self-deprecating comments about his coaching days, but those detours are brief, often humorous, and they get in and out of them quickly.

For the women, they apparently didn't think the game is enough. It is more about the storylines, the personalities, the anecdotes, the families, etc. They do not get in and out of them quickly because that is what they think is important. Possessions come and go but the story is still being told.

They must put a lot of time and effort in ahead of time, and feel like they have to get all of their "research" out there even if that means neglecting the action on the court. I find it disrespectful to the fans, but even more so to the game itself.

I kept waiting to hear how many points Taris Reed had and they never said. Karaban’s points were briefly mentioned amid their babble

 

[ucmiami2]

I kept waiting to hear how many points Taris Reed had and they never said. Karaban’s points were briefly mentioned amid their babble

I gave up depending on announcers to deliver stats except in the review at half time or if a record is about to happen and always have my computer on the box score, switching occasionally to play by play to see subs in/out. It also allows me to track team and individual assists, steals, rebounds, TOs, etc. which I never expected to get from announcers.

And I agree - I blame Monday Night Football for changing the broadcasting landscape for actual announcers to personalities and story-time. Three guys all wanting to talk and be 'interesting' and no one watching the game!

Another complaint about the NCAA Tournament - the only link Uconn provides for stats is to an NCAA feed that is absolute crap - so I am back to the ESPN stats which are OK but don't have the options that the normal Uconn link provides.

 

[Jim]

I took the advice of Nan and other BYers and watched the game with the audio on mute. Much more enjoyable experience. I’ll turn the sound back on for Rocco and Lobo, but Holly will likely get the mute button.

 

[tomcat]

Just to follow up, the ND game was called by Ryan and Rebecca, and I thought they were outstanding. Ryan calls the plays and both mostly stuck to the game in front of them. I realize the fact that it was a close game made this more necessary, but after the two hours of awfulness delivered in the previous game, it was refreshing and welcome.

 

[heffe]

Ryan made a call during the game when Serah Strong took the ball at the top of the key drove left for a layup. I believe his words were " Strong lumbering up the lane for a layup. LUMBERING is a very demeaning descriptive word and I think he should be called out for its use.

 

[HuskyNan]

Just to follow up, the ND game was called by Ryan and Rebecca, and I thought they were outstanding. Ryan calls the plays and both mostly stuck to the game in front of them. I realize the fact that it was a close game made this more necessary, but after the two hours of awfulness delivered in the previous game, it was refreshing and welcome.

Mmmmm, I was getting pretty tired of the gushing over Hannah Hidalgo. I have no problem with Hidalgo, she’s a great player, but the gushing was kind of excessive

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I like Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli the best. They’re all business.

They are not bad, although they can go off on a tangent. I still like Brenda VanLengen among the best, Ann Schatz that I hear occasionally is entertaining play by play that still covers the main points. Ryan and Rebecca are fairly good as well.

While I'm less critical than some, at least normally, I got nothing out of the Courtney Lyle pairing with Stephanie White, although I haven't had problems with them in the past.

 

[Centerstream]

Mmmmm, I was getting pretty tired of the gushing over Hannah Hidalgo. I have no problem with Hidalgo, she’s a great player, but the gushing was kind of excessive

Especially how they continued in the 4th quarter as the lead was creeping closer to 20 points.
And I thought that it was sad that time ran out after Ayanna blocked Hildago's layup after she stole a pass of Ayanna's. And Ayanna grabbed the rebound. Would have been great to hear what they would have said about that play!

 

[maple]

Mmmmm, I was getting pretty tired of the gushing over Hannah Hidalgo. I have no problem with Hidalgo, she’s a great player, but the gushing was kind of excessive

They spent all day glazing her. Nauseating.

 

[jaundicedeye]

I thought the announcing of the ND game was better than what we have been getting lately. But is it me or does Niele Ivey get a lot of camera time?

 

[Basingstoke]

This doesn't relate to the announcing, but I missed having shots of famous alums in attendance (save for, I believe, Arike).

 

[trisailin]

This doesn't relate to the announcing, but I missed having shots of famous alums in attendance (save for, I believe, Arike).

Huh? I tuned in to see basketball. I am annoyed when they focus on the player running up the court who just made a shot and we miss the actual basketball. Guess we each have our preference.

 

[Basingstoke]

Huh? I tuned in to see basketball. I am annoyed when they focus on the player running up the court who just made a shot and we miss the actual basketball. Guess we each have our preference.

They are not mutually exclusive. It depends on the quality of the telecast's director.