Refs and Announcers

[MooseJaw]

I enjoyed them. OTOH, Culmo has me hitting mute more and more each game.

I thought they were terrible, little jokes that were total duds clucking at them on air. Was not announcing more like useless chit chat. Refs omg. I agree 100% on Culmo, can't keep quiet someone should tell her it's TV. Maybe she should go to radio. More but what's the point, she's not going anywhere.

 

[huskeynut]

The announcers left a lot to be desired. One was Lisa Byington. She has done other UConn games on FS1. The other I can't remember. Like too many announcers, they babble on and on. They miss giving the important information to the viewers, like who the foul was on. At least we didn't have to listen to Antonelli or "the coach" Carolyn Peck.

The officiating was inconsistent at best. Obvious fouls ignored. Ticky-tack fouls called. The feet apart rule was crazy.

Give me Bestwick and Culmo for any game.

 

[freekimchee]

I thought Mcnutt was such an unbelievably SCar homer! I almost forgot she went to Georgetown. I'd probably rank her 3rd after Antonelli and Peck as my least favorite to listen to.

 

[SVCBeercats]

The announcers apparently went to the Andy Landers pronunciation guide for Liv's name. The "color" person repeatedly shared an insightful "mmmmmm" in response to the action. I have not bothered to look her up but she was also WAY more familiar with SC than UConn. As usual, basic game-calling skills like identifying who the foul was on and how many they have was lost in the chat-fest most times. Makes me appreciate the Celtics' Mike Gorman all the more. A true pro who DOES do his homework, he did a few Sun games with Rebecca years ago and was great.

See at your second word "announcers" is where you went wrong. Today there are few announcers. Last night those two were "entertaining personalities." Not announcers. You can thank Rune Arlidge. The man who turned turned sports into pure entertainment.

 

[Zinethar]

I thought the refs did not do a good job last night. Fans in general will not like the refs no matter what but usually accept they did OK if there was an even amount of calls on both sides and that the calls are consistant and don't interfere with the game flow for the most part. None of that happened last night so therefore the did not do a good job at least in the minds of anyone subjected to watching them. As for the announcers or whatever you wish to label them as I didn't notice anything horrible other tha I could not understand why they seemed so biased against UConn. UConn is the Fox sports school not SC so one would think any bias would be the other way. I jut re-watched the game and listened this time and wow were they one sided. Weird. They had virtually no real knowledge of UConn players or style but were very informed on SC (and really loved Boston). Offended me way more on the second hearing. I would have expected that from a home team telecast but think SNY tries to be a bit more fair (sometimes frustrating me ).

 

[Alydar]

When Kantner shows up for a big UConn game, I feel a bit more nervous. I replayed the segments where illegal screens were called and they were bogus calls, in my opinion. From a coach`s perspective, how do you teach a player to set a screen now - what are the rules, exactly? Too wide??? That would have put an end to Wayne Embry`s career. Maybe Wes Unseld too.

The announcers last night were not good. The second announcer droned on and on in a monotone and did not say one thing that was at all interesting. At least I don`t think she did, after a while it was just background noise. She also didn`t do a very good job of hiding a pro South Carolina bias. (Why exactly would she be "worried" about a foul call on Boston?)

Here`s the rule, announcers - when a foul is called, at least interrupt your boring story long enough to tell us who the foul is on, how many fouls on that player, and how many team fouls for the quarter. In fact, if that is all you do, I would be very happy.

I've found that muting the sound, playing music and having the stats link on the monitor to my left makes for much less frustration. Since the game is delayed due to streaming I immediately know who the foul is on and how many they have. The only drawback is missing all those "marvelous" stories.

 

[Zinethar]

I think we get exactly what the networks want from the commentators on the women's games. Instead of a play-by-play and a color announcer we get two commentators who they think can interact well together to add "spice" and information to the game. The more I think about it the more offended I become. They do this because they assume the viewers are casual uninformed watchers that know little about the women's game. That is patently untrue. As much as we all would like the viewing audience to be newcomers the truth usually is that it is the followers of the two teams and their friends and relatives as well as hard core followers of women's basketball. These people do not want what they are giving and it is not helping the sport.

 

[Huskee11]

I've found that muting the sound, playing music and having the stats link on the monitor to my left makes for much less frustration. Since the game is delayed due to streaming I immediately know who the foul is on and how many they have. The only drawback is missing all those "marvelous" stories.

I may take your advice.

Would this be an appropriate selection? It seems appropriate. Goin' off the rails on a crazy train.....

 

[Alydar]

This was a competitive, if poorly played, game. It reminded me of the very physical battles that raged between Rutgers and Uconn in the "old" Big East. I thought that Uconn, particularly Griffin, Muhl and Edwards, played hard-nosed and physically. It was a great win, reflective of how the Freshmen have started to "grow up." BUT, we must also confront the reality that, if Uconn faces South Carolina again, there is absolutely no way that Paige scores 30+ points. That leaves Coach with some work to do.

First, not likely but still possible. And Bueckers' best skill is her passing. I thought S Car took away driving lanes from her early. Three times she drove part way and saw Boston waiting and wisely backed out. In the second half and in the late stages she adjusted to shooting 10-15' pullups, not giving Boston a chance at blocking.
I think UConn has a huge edge in scoring ability. They took SC's entire transition scoring away yesterday. Zero fast break pts for SCar. A lot of that was the freshmen getting back on defense.
My best takeaway is the way the freshmen didn't wilt in their first high-level game.

 

[BostonBay]

Announcers were noticeably poor, imo. I felt like I was listening to a play-by-play Gamer commentary on Twitch, as opposed to a #1 vs. #2 seed matchup.

 

[seeya27]

I thought the announcing was indicative of a network that doesn't cover women's basketball on a regular basis.

True enough. But Fox knows sports -- and they now have the most valuable property in the wen's game. With a weak slate of games in opposite timeslots, it's obvious the game is going to draw new eyeballs. So instead, bring your "A" game with A announcers and some hype.

This is one of the top games on the women's schedule this year. Do it right and it will yield larger audiences down the road. And put this commentary team on the Butler/Prov game.

 

[chrissaran]

You can crush them all you want, but the two best announcers of UConn games were Doris Burke and Dave O'Brien. They talked about the game, it's intricacies, and they made the game interesting!

 

[chrissaran]

Why didn't they call in on Littleton? Why did they have to change it? When did they have time to go to the monitor and review the play? In a game this important, you would think they would be more exact.

I didn't see where they changed it right away.

 

[EricSD]

I'll give Dee Kantner a banner if she retires right now. I agree, the games are always as disjointed mess when she officiates.

Ask Dawn to do it - SC is really good about dishing out rando banners.

 

[UcMiami]

Got to say that I turn off the sound on most sports telecasts these days, not just the WCBB games. I think it all started with the original MNF broadcasts and adding a third person in that booth - suddenly the idea of sports announcer as celebrity and entertainer became the 'new thing' and the actual sporting contest became a backdrop for the 'personality'. And it has been downhill ever since. A slow game like baseball where 80% of the airtime is spent watching the pitcher walk around the mound and the batter adjusting their batting gloves, helmet, jock strap, and then stepping out to do it all over again leaves plenty of dead action to fill with colorful stories. But basketball and other sports are constant action and it would be nice to actual get information about the game from the announcers.

One thing I did figure out and have succeeded in doing for a few Uconn games is syncing up the streaming radio with the streaming or dvr delayed broadcast (there is usually a delay between one or the other and if you pause one for 5 or 10 seconds you can get them synced.) The radio may have a bit too much info when watching the video, but they at least have to broadcast everything that is happening.

As for the refs - yeah, I thought they have been acceptable so far, but not in this game - I get that they are focused on the walk call this year, but ignoring Boston's numerous charges as she sent multiple players flying was pretty bad, and suddenly deciding to call all the feet too wide screens when they are usually only called when they are blatant - ugh. I thought they also missed a few submarines jobs on rebounders (Edward was taken out a few times that way.)

I think Geno needs to get back to riding the refs like he used to - seemed to me SC and Dawn were more effective at it!

 

[tower1]

I really enjoyed the color commentator. Monica Mcnutt ? Thought she was funny and her reactions spontaneous not cliche. Wasn’t it her that said “wha, WHAT????” In response to Paiges 3 pointer.

They all sucked. I turned the volume off so that I would not throw up !

 

[uconnfan68]

I'll give Dee Kantner a banner if she retires right now. I agree, the games are always as disjointed mess when she officiates.

A+. She’s horrible. Every game she does is one-sided against us. Didn’t recognize her with her mask, but I did mention to my wife that some refs just need to be the center of attention... and sure enough, there’s DK.

 

[tower1]

The announcers left a lot to be desired. One was Lisa Byington. She has done other UConn games on FS1. The other I can't remember. Like too many announcers, they babble on and on. They miss giving the important information to the viewers, like who the foul was on. At least we didn't have to listen to Antonelli or "the coach" Carolyn Peck.

The officiating was inconsistent at best. Obvious fouls ignored. Ticky-tack fouls called. The feet apart rule was crazy.

Give me Bestwick and Culmo for any game.

Culmo, No thanks !

 

[Big East Fa]

I thought the announcing was indicative of a network that doesn't cover women's basketball on a regular basis.

Lisa Byington does women's basketball on a regular basis.

 

[hoophuskee]

This was a competitive, if poorly played, game. It reminded me of the very physical battles that raged between Rutgers and Uconn in the "old" Big East. I thought that Uconn, particularly Griffin, Muhl and Edwards, played hard-nosed and physically. It was a great win, reflective of how the Freshmen have started to "grow up." BUT, we must also confront the reality that, if Uconn faces South Carolina again, there is absolutely no way that Paige scores 30+ points. That leaves Coach with some work to do.

She may not get 30+ - but how about 28 and another victory for UCONN?

She's the best player in wcbb. What can they do? OFC she can have an off-night. But how do you stop a bigger type of guard who is so adept at both catch-and-shoot, and putting the ball on the floor, and taking mid-range jumpers? SC has two SMALL guards. And their bigs sag in the paint.

SC's supposed best defender was well rested while Paige played every single minute and still torched her. IMO SC has a lot of work to do in their next matchup trying to contain the best player in wcbb.

 

[EasyEd]

I thought the best WCBB announcer was Kara Lawson.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

When Dee Kantner is the ref of a UCONN game, men weep and women cry because they know the Huskies are in trouble that night!

 

[donalddoowop]

Lisa Byington does women's basketball on a regular basis.

Volleyball also.

 

[Bigpetunia]

Whether our favorite team loses, or, as on Monday, wins a tight game, one inevitable and unrelentingly tiresome consequence of such an event will be the emergence of the usual chorus of complaint about all of the “blown” calls delivered by the referees. It’s as though all the missed open shots, the defensive lapses, the rebounding woes, and the mental mistakes cease to matter…”the damn refs cost us the game,” or, “we woulda won by more except for the refs!” With Notre Dame fans in mind, I have long labeled this exercise as the ultimate losers’ lament, though, as our Board suggests, we UConn fans are far from immune to this practice ourselves.

It’s not that egregious calls do not exist, as they did on Monday, nor that they have no impact on any given game’s outcome…they do, of course. It’s not that there aren’t more skilled and less skilled practitioners of the art…there certainly are! But all the whining misses the point entirely. Skilled or not, referees are an essential element of the game. Games cannot be contested without them. They are, alas, human, and inevitably flawed. In every sport, but especially in basketball, and especially in “physical” games, most every call they make is highly subjective, so that one’s assessment of their relative correctness is mainly a function of for which team one happens to be rooting. The essential point then is that refereeing, both good and bad, has to be accepted by fans as simply part of the game – a part without which we cannot do so long as games exist.

I’m sure there are times when individual refs are guilty of going beyond making horrible calls, when they, alas, place their thumb on the scale, one way or another. None of us know how often this happens, but my guess is that such instances are rare. They simply make demonstrably terrible calls without bias. Modern technology employed by certain sports successfully helps cut down on, but far from eliminates, such instances, but there’s no way for this to be applied to basketball…is it a charge or a blocking foul? Instant replay ain’t gonna help. The refs, who we know are flawed going in, will be the sole arbiters…just part of the game we must accept. Whining about it is hopelessly pointless. Better to focus on all the other factors that go into a win or a loss!

 

[fomalhaut]

The reason I like watching the games on SNY and (usually) ESPN is that they generally have a play-by-play announcer and a color commentator. Not two color commentators like FS1 had Tuesday. Unfortunately I'm too far away to get the Connecticut radio broadcasts.

 

[npignatjr]

A+. She’s horrible. Every game she does is one-sided against us. Didn’t recognize her with her mask, but I did mention to my wife that some refs just need to be the center of attention... and sure enough, there’s DK.

Dee goes for exuberance with her calls, which is funny because she is so often trying to promote a bad call.

 

[jcoton56]

Not sure it is just me or not? From SNY to Fox Sport I see a live game always 20-25 secs late than the actual score. With FS1 direct live stream I don't see this problem and sometime the ESPN score was late than the live stream.

No just you. I like to watch the games with my iPad open to live stats so I can follow the stats. There is often a 3-5 second lag for the broadcast. Since I watch the games with my mother she thinks I am a savant when I say “we need a three” and lo and behold we sink one. Or “we need a block” and Liv swats one. I finally had to let her in on the secret.

 

[Bama fan]

No big game commentary would be complete without ref and announcer gripes, amirite?

Both were pretty bad.

The announcers apparently went to the Andy Landers pronunciation guide for Liv's name. The "color" person repeatedly shared an insightful "mmmmmm" in response to the action. I have not bothered to look her up but she was also WAY more familiar with SC than UConn. As usual, basic game-calling skills like identifying who the foul was on and how many they have was lost in the chat-fest most times. Makes me appreciate the Celtics' Mike Gorman all the more. A true pro who DOES do his homework, he did a few Sun games with Rebecca years ago and was great.

There were some calls and no-calls both ways that were inexplicable. In general Boston got away with a lot. Travels, high elbows, charges, you name it. In retribution, with SC up by 1, about a minute left to go in OT, and 15 seconds on the shot clock, the basketball gods whispered in her ear, "Aliyah, time for the big girl to launch that killer step-back three".

Dawn was like...

I guess it is all in your perspective. That step back three clunker was my pick for shot of the game.

 

[Bama fan]

The reason I like watching the games on SNY and (usually) ESPN is that they generally have a play-by-play announcer and a color commentator. Not two color commentators like FS1 had Tuesday. Unfortunately I'm too far away to get the Connecticut radio broadcasts.

@fomalhaut you can try internet radio to get the radio broadcasts. It has worked for me in Alabama.

 

[Rudy2014]

No big game commentary would be complete without ref and announcer gripes, amirite?

Both were pretty bad.

The announcers apparently went to the Andy Landers pronunciation guide for Liv's name. The "color" person repeatedly shared an insightful "mmmmmm" in response to the action. I have not bothered to look her up but she was also WAY more familiar with SC than UConn. As usual, basic game-calling skills like identifying who the foul was on and how many they have was lost in the chat-fest most times. Makes me appreciate the Celtics' Mike Gorman all the more. A true pro who DOES do his homework, he did a few Sun games with Rebecca years ago and was great.

There were some calls and no-calls both ways that were inexplicable. In general Boston got away with a lot. Travels, high elbows, charges, you name it. In retribution, with SC up by 1, about a minute left to go in OT, and 15 seconds on the shot clock, the basketball gods whispered in her ear, "Aliyah, time for the big girl to launch that killer step-back three".

Dawn was like...

No big game commentary would be complete without ref and announcer gripes, amirite?

Both were pretty bad.

The announcers apparently went to the Andy Landers pronunciation guide for Liv's name. The "color" person repeatedly shared an insightful "mmmmmm" in response to the action. I have not bothered to look her up but she was also WAY more familiar with SC than UConn. As usual, basic game-calling skills like identifying who the foul was on and how many they have was lost in the chat-fest most times. Makes me appreciate the Celtics' Mike Gorman all the more. A true pro who DOES do his homework, he did a few Sun games with Rebecca years ago and was great.

There were some calls and no-calls both ways that were inexplicable. In general Boston got away with a lot. Travels, high elbows, charges, you name it. In retribution, with SC up by 1, about a minute left to go in OT, and 15 seconds on the shot clock, the basketball gods whispered in her ear, "Aliyah, time for the big girl to launch that killer step-back three".

Dawn was like...

Nice post. Love the emoji. Ugly game but I liked the outcome.
UConn’s future appears to be Paige, Nika, Aubry and Edwards; the fighters. Azzi next year? The rest are what they are: good kids, pretty good ballplayers that show up sometimes. If enough show up this year, UConn could make a nice run. Can Paige, a frosh, motivate them enough? Is ONO ever going to be a Tina Charles? Nope. Will DeBerry be next year? No evidence from her videos.