Megan Culmo

[Zarathustra]

I'm 'pro' Meghan. I don't need "perfec " and she adds to my
enjoyment of the game. I learn "stuff" from her , but I
must admit that the Boneyard gives me a significant amount
of BB knowledge that I never knew before.
I tend to review / rewatch most games ( not a loss ) and
I will "see" what she comments on the second time around. Then
I will agree or disagree with her. I usually agree because on
replay I see a lot of thing differently than I say in the "real time
game action" . I'm impressed by what
most color commentators " see" in real time ( it's very fast
action ). "May a Thousand Blossoms ( and opinions ) Bloom".
Pax.

 

[MD#12Fan]

To some extent, the opinions of Meg's elocution are colored by
the extent of each individual's sense of "fandom," a subject very much
on my mind these days with comments on this subject on this and other boards.

My sense of fandom has always been of the more limited kind:
screaming in pleasure at Maya's (for example) great individual exploits
and at the TV last night, during the term's splendid comeback...

But (on the other hand), I am remote from those who live, breath and die UConn uber alles.
I just never got it.

Especially these days, with the W, seemingly reshuffling the deck with free agents going hither and yon
And, professional football teams in Florida and Cleveland accused of throwing games...

How can the old sense of complete loyalty to a team continue to exist?

I think your thoughts deserve a separate thread.
I'm more like Baskin and Robbins, 31 flavors, where fandom comes in. We're all different.
In terms of fan "purity", I'm not sure about that either. Maybe the fan you're talking about is hiding a lack of knowledge behind the Husky head and blue face paint. Maybe the fan that questions coaching strategy is really the fan that is there through thick and thin and the Husky head is out mowing the lawn.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I know this is a sensitive topic on the BY and may get me a ton of dislikes and much scorn.
For me, she is getting harder and harder to listen to. I just mute her mostly, but the best Womens program in history should have a better TV analyst.
I know how much she means to the UCONN WBB family and seems to be a very nice person, this is just a critique of her style.
First, can she call the game that is actually happening or on every play pretend she is the actual referee? CD makes a jumper at the foul line, Culmo states " I think she got away with a walk there".
Or a Creighton player stumbles in the lane and Culmo states, "Westbrook got away with a foul there".
Let the actual refs call the game, they are the only ones that count.
Also, you are not the coach, we make a three pointer, " That was bad offense as we were standing around" 3 points seem pretty good to me.
Lastly, I am not sure what she is seeing , an opposition three point attempt clangs 15 ft off the rim , directly to the other team..." Uconn should have hustled and got that rebound" . There wasn't a Uconn player anywhere near the ball.
I think I will maybe try what another person made a comment on and listen to Bob Joyce on the radio.

Nope. I will take the opposite opinion on every point made. I remember each incident and agreed with Meghan each time. She is a color commentator and she nails it. Also while definitely pro-UConn, she lauds the other teams good plays and points out the UConn lapses. I appreciate her honesty

 

[HopJim]

If you don't like listening to Megan Culmo, I would ask, "compared to what?" Megan is not perfect, but women's basketball has always lacked talented announcers. With my internet and streaming providers, I get ESNP, SEC, PAC 12, and Big 10 women's basketball, and other than Rebecca Lobo, the announcers are all amateurs. I suspect that most who dislike Megan's style don't listen to her competitors, who are 99% horrid.

 

[Jletoile]

I wish Bestwick would find other work. Immediately.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

I know this is a sensitive topic on the BY and may get me a ton of dislikes and much scorn.
For me, she is getting harder and harder to listen to. I just mute her mostly, but the best Womens program in history should have a better TV analyst.
I know how much she means to the UCONN WBB family and seems to be a very nice person, this is just a critique of her style.
First, can she call the game that is actually happening or on every play pretend she is the actual referee? CD makes a jumper at the foul line, Culmo states " I think she got away with a walk there".
Or a Creighton player stumbles in the lane and Culmo states, "Westbrook got away with a foul there".
Let the actual refs call the game, they are the only ones that count.
Also, you are not the coach, we make a three pointer, " That was bad offense as we were standing around" 3 points seem pretty good to me.
Lastly, I am not sure what she is seeing , an opposition three point attempt clangs 15 ft off the rim , directly to the other team..." Uconn should have hustled and got that rebound" . There wasn't a Uconn player anywhere near the ball.
I think I will maybe try what another person made a comment on and listen to Bob Joyce on the radio.

Well I love how Meg gives us vocabulary lessons.

 

[Jackcatscal]

If you don’t like Culmo, how about we bring in Beth Mowins to do twenty or so UCONN games a season? I think half of us would fling ourselves out a window if that came to pass.
I really enjoy Culmo and Bestwick. And I think that, when one of the networks does a game, it’s a step down. And that includes ESPN. Lobo is fine, but, IMHO, a little bland. I’d take Culmo over her any day.

 

[MD#12Fan]

If you don’t like Culmo, how about we bring in Beth Mowins to do twenty or so UCONN games a season? I think half of us would fling ourselves out a window if that came to pass.
I really enjoy Culmo and Bestwick. And I think that, when one of the networks does a game, it’s a step down. And that includes ESPN. Lobo is fine, but, IMHO, a little bland. I’d take Culmo over her any day.

Aren't you picking up on Lobo's "Bill Raftery impersonation" as the network goes to commercial break? I'm waiting for "with a kiss...". Sorry, I know it's sacrilege in NE to criticize either of them.

 

[Boreifs]

The old dude was hilarious to me. His superlatives were...uh, unique. And at times it sounded as if he was saying the first thing that came into his mind. lol

My favorite was “ they aren’t just great, they are excellent”. Articulate?

 

[topogigio]

Nope. I will take the opposite opinion on every point made. I remember each incident and agreed with Meghan each time. She is a color commentator and she nails it. Also while definitely pro-UConn, she lauds the other teams good plays and points out the UConn lapses. I appreciate her honesty

Megan is spot on with her assessment of violations and fouls which are and are not called. Numerous time I will call out "that's a travel", or that's a charge/block", or the always popular "so and so hit the ball last" before going out of bounds well before the official makes a call or non call. Megan is right there and almost always sees the same thing. I have no qualms with her play by play. Monica McNutt, now she is a whole another story!,

 

[and one]

There is a tendency in women's bball, both college and the W, for the color announcers to feel it is their job to make a game exciting - sell the product so to speak. Very routine plays are made to seem extraordinary, which is rarely the case. I get that they want to get viewers interested in the women's game. I personally find it annoying. A good game with good players can generate excitement all by itself thank you.

Meg doesn't over hype, knows the game, is willing to point out the bad as well as the good and overall does a fine job.

 

[donalddoowop]

From my perspective, Meghan is among the very best play-by-play announcers for basketball. She knows the game inside and out, appreciates fine playing, but notes when our players make mistakes. She keeps her focus on the game-- not drifting into wordy biographies that, like other commentators' meandering ignores what is happening on the court! She is not an overheated homer, so her judgments about the good and not-so-good of our players' efforts ring true, with knowledgable insights and perspectives. I have a big-screen tv that is great for watching games, but even so, the players are about 6" tall, so I'm glad she's there to tell me/us what is so much more "real" from a courtside seat. Perfect? no, but way better than most.

Meghan is an analyst, not a play-by-play announcer. I enjoy listening to her. When she worked with Eric Frede it made a really good team. I watch some old UConn games, from early in the 2000's, and Meghan was the UConn analyst way back then.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Thank goodness.

The only thing that really bothers me about SNY, besides the fact I can't get it or record it (so I have to watch it live or wait til the next day to see a game ) is the camera work. Pisses me off all the time. At least a few times a game we are watching someone in the stands or closeup on the coach while a play is being made. Then we get a replay of the play we missed while we miss another play going on. Their Technical Director or Camera Producer (or whatever they call it) is horrible. Just horrible. (And I hope you read this, you mindless idiot. ) ( I yell at the TV more for this than at the refs for calling traveling or 3 seconds.)

My yell is usually "WILL YOU SHOW THE GAME!!!! Cuolmo has grown on me over the years. Her hyuk, hyuks have lessened or I am tuning them out. I like her calling out UConn's lazy passes, fouls and walks. Mostly I like her because she usually agrees with me.

 

[uconnever]

I know this is a sensitive topic on the BY and may get me a ton of dislikes and much scorn.
For me, she is getting harder and harder to listen to. I just mute her mostly, but the best Womens program in history should have a better TV analyst.
I know how much she means to the UCONN WBB family and seems to be a very nice person, this is just a critique of her style.
First, can she call the game that is actually happening or on every play pretend she is the actual referee? CD makes a jumper at the foul line, Culmo states " I think she got away with a walk there".
Or a Creighton player stumbles in the lane and Culmo states, "Westbrook got away with a foul there".
Let the actual refs call the game, they are the only ones that count.
Also, you are not the coach, we make a three pointer, " That was bad offense as we were standing around" 3 points seem pretty good to me.
Lastly, I am not sure what she is seeing , an opposition three point attempt clangs 15 ft off the rim , directly to the other team..." Uconn should have hustled and got that rebound" . There wasn't a Uconn player anywhere near the ball.
I think I will maybe try what another person made a comment on and listen to Bob Joyce on the radio.

I always mute her

 

[GoUconn7961]

As someone else stated at least Meghan talks about the game being played. ESPN announcers drive me nuts. They give up broadcasting the game about mid way through and start talking about everything else under the sun.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

As someone else stated at least Meghan talks about the game being played. ESPN announcers drive me nuts. They give up broadcasting the game about mid way through and start talking about everything else under the sun.

That's the Holly Rowe effect.

 

[CB360]

Agree, too much the homer

I actually thinks she make an honest effort to try not to be a homer and point out the positive aspects of the opposing Team.

 

[phil sampieri]

I know this is a sensitive topic on the BY and may get me a ton of dislikes and much scorn.
For me, she is getting harder and harder to listen to. I just mute her mostly, but the best Womens program in history should have a better TV analyst.
I know how much she means to the UCONN WBB family and seems to be a very nice person, this is just a critique of her style.
First, can she call the game that is actually happening or on every play pretend she is the actual referee? CD makes a jumper at the foul line, Culmo states " I think she got away with a walk there".
Or a Creighton player stumbles in the lane and Culmo states, "Westbrook got away with a foul there".
Let the actual refs call the game, they are the only ones that count.
Also, you are not the coach, we make a three pointer, " That was bad offense as we were standing around" 3 points seem pretty good to me.
Lastly, I am not sure what she is seeing , an opposition three point attempt clangs 15 ft off the rim , directly to the other team..." Uconn should have hustled and got that rebound" . There wasn't a Uconn player anywhere near the ball.
I think I will maybe try what another person made a comment on and listen to Bob Joyce on the radio.

You had your say,so here is mine. She is excellent in explaining ,how,what,why from someone who really knows her basketball and there are many great fans who don’t necessarily know the nuances of the gsme ,maybe your just smart toned that.

 

[my2cents]

You had your say,so here is mine. She is excellent in explaining ,how,what,why from someone who really knows her basketball and there are many great fans who don’t necessarily know the nuances of the gsme ,maybe your just smart toned that.

What is " smart, toned that"? Yes, was my 2 cents.
Last thing, she has been broadcasting , what over 20 years in CT, and who is based here? ESPN and she never has been promoted to a regional or national level on that network.
Wonder why.

 

[Alydar]

Rarely do the SNY announcers say anything that hasn't been hashed and rehashed on this board. But the vast majority of UConn fans have very little knowledge of the day to day happenings that are discussed here. For the most part they watch the games and get all their info from the TV announcers.

I like honest announcers who point out the things that Culmo brings up. But if she is going to say something then SHOW US A REPLAY OF IT! But no, instead of the play just run we get a 3 min old replay of a routine layup by someone else.
I usually listen to Joyce because I like to know what's happening on the court. SNY is no different from any other video platform, the things that everyone in the arena knows because it's announced to them, who is coming in and out of the game, what the whistle was for, who fouled who. The PA announcer feels the crowd should know those things. So do radio announcers. But not TV. Why does TV just assume that we don't need to know those things and instead we want to hear about the forward from Osh Kosh U who has a cat named Pat Summit? Or that we just can't wait to listen to endless speculation during live action about who will make the NCAA's and who we should keep an eye on in the future. You want to chat then start a talk show. IMO by ignoring the game in front of them the TV announcers are admitting that the game is boring/unwatchable.

 

[MSGRET]

What is " smart, toned that"? Yes, was my 2 cents.
Last thing, she has been broadcasting , what over 20 years in CT, and who is based here? ESPN and she never has been promoted to a regional or national level on that network.
Wonder why.

How do you know that she wasn't offered and turned it down? Maybe because she enjoys doing the UConn games and doesn't want the hassles of traveling all over the place. It's easier on her to stick with broadcasting UConn games when it comes to family commitments because she only has to spend time on the opposition teams being played and not both teams.

 

[hard2please]

why does she need the job anyway? her dad and brother were governors of new york. she should donate her time working at a museum.

 

[Shorty Dee]

As a former player and Assistant Coach of UConn WBB, and of Coach Geno Auriemma, I appreciate Meghan Culmo color commentary, along with Kara Wolters. I miss Eric Frede on SNY!! Meghan and Eric were a dynamic duo. With Meghan and Kara being former players of Coach Geno, they know the game, and what Coach Geno expects from his players!!!! I don't see anything wrong with Meghan saying what she saw, because watching on t.v. there is a lot of things you miss.

 

[uconnfan68]

why does she need the job anyway? her dad and brother were governors of new york. she should donate her time working at a museum.

The Cuomos were governors. Not the Pattysons.

 

[Barkin Out]

When I moved to western Massachusetts in the mid 90’s, the most important apartment selection criteria whether or not I could get channel 24 on my TVs rabbit ears. I always enjoyed those early coaches shows - with hilarious mail (post!) segments. She has provided a wonderful view into that amazing program over the years. I am grateful that she continues to do so.

 

[Boreifs]

What is " smart, toned that"? Yes, was my 2 cents.
Last thing, she has been broadcasting , what over 20 years in CT, and who is based here? ESPN and she never has been promoted to a regional or national level on that network.
Wonder why.

She most likely doesn’t want to do that. She may want to see her family during the season.

 

[MrT]

Megan is spot on with her assessment of violations and fouls which are and are not called. Numerous time I will call out "that's a travel", or that's a charge/block", or the always popular "so and so hit the ball last" before going out of bounds well before the official makes a call or non call. Megan is right there and almost always sees the same thing. I have no qualms with her play by play. Monica McNutt, now she is a whole another story!,

Its not what she says , she is right most of the time. Its the snide comments she makes as an add on. You don't have to be a "homer", but she is down right nasty sometimes. People are tired of hearing her negative Crap, has you hear from a good portion of the people here. Go announce the WNBA , nobody listens to those announcers anyway. I would rather listen to Kara, she tells it like it is , but she's not nasty and jealous. Its time to find a new job, how about an executioner she's better suited. Bestwick just makes the situation worse UGH! Throw some water on Meg and see what happens ???? Just bring back the broom stick. Go UCONN!!!

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Do you guys listen to any other announcer 25-30 times a season? Maybe they’d be just as annoying and repetitive if you listened to them all the time

As someone who rarely sees a UConn broadcast, as so often the big games I watch are broadcasted elsewhere - I just saw a game last week and had absolutely no issue with her.

In fact, I found the broadcast quite informative. I prefer announcers (commentator or play by play) that explain the game. And I got that with the game I watched (DePaul).

There are announcers across the networks that I don't care for, and repetitive listening does sometimes make your opinion change. Currently, and for several years, Brenda VanLengen is near the top; Coach Peck is among the non-favorites. Dan Hughes, who does the Oklahoma home games on their local station, is very, very informative, but you have to listen very carefully, he is sometimes a bit technical. But it is a viewpoint you don't always get, a true coach's look without "coach speak".

 

[MD#12Fan]

Cool!
A long time ago, I think it was ABC that had a Monday Night Baseball broadcast. I want to say that in the booth was like Earl Weaver, Billy Martin and Jim Palmer. I swear they analyzed the situation on every pitch in the game. And Palmer notoriously didn’t always agree with Earl so they had some disputes. Man, almost exhausting! But that’s truly what baseball is. Totally incredible. Can’t think of an analogy in hoops. For football analysis I think I like the Monday Night crew- Griese and Riddick?

As someone who rarely sees a UConn broadcast, as so often the big games I watch are broadcasted elsewhere - I just saw a game last week and had absolutely no issue with her.

In fact, I found the broadcast quite informative. I prefer announcers (commentator or play by play) that explain the game. And I got that with the game I watched (DePaul).

There are announcers across the networks that I don't care for, and repetitive listening does sometimes make your opinion change. Currently, and for several years, Brenda VanLengen is near the top; Coach Peck is among the non-favorites. Dan Hughes, who does the Oklahoma home games on their local station, is very, very informative, but you have to listen very carefully, he is sometimes a bit technical. But it is a viewpoint you don't always get, a true coach's look without "coach speak".

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Personally I like the whole SNY team of announcers!
SNY does a very credible job of showcasing UCONN WBB!
If you search really hard you can find fault with ANY announcer in any sport!