Getting tired of CBS cramming the ACC down my throat

[Russ Smith]

Sunday we had 3 games in the Bay Area as the "feature" games, NC State/UCONN, North Carolina, and Duke/Miss St. I realize the first game was more about UCONN than NC State but still I found it a bit much.

Then I watch the last 5 minutes of the Duke/Miss State game and I'm still in shock that someone from CBS didn't run out, fire Billy Packer during the game, and make Jim Nantz finish by himself. People accuse Vitale of kissing Duke's posterior but Packer was so beyond impartial yesterday I am stunned there's not a big stink about right now.

For those who missed, tight game, Lawrence Roberts goes hard for a dunk, gets clobbered by Shelden Williams, no foul. With Nantz loudly suggesting there was a foul, and the crowd screaming "where's the foul", Packer says "great defense by Williams." Down the other end, Redick drives in and gets a charge. Packer says "people say Duke gets all the calls but they're clearly not getting all the calls now", meanwhile the replay is showing the call was CLEARLY correct, and again Nantz points out that Frazier was there and set it was a charge.

Then you have a steal by melchioni that ends in a jump ball. Packer is screaming that the jersey was pulled and it should have been a foul, replay shows nothing, as they show the replay he says "see there's teh pull" no we don't see Billy. Then when he realized you don't see any such thing he says "well not to mention the defender jumped right on Melchioni to get the tie up should have been a foul." I agree, except that happens all the time on loose balls and they never call it. Then a player pulls up to call a timeout and after the whistle Daniel ewing "steals" the ball. As Nantz is saying timeout, Packer is screaming "NO wait a minute" and cheering the "steal". Nantz correctly points out there was TO already, and packer is yelling NO there wasn't. Then he asserts that one of the refs was signalling the steal counted, when none of the visible refs were doing anything but signalling timeout.

Duke gets ahead by 4 and Lawrence Roberts takes a dish inside and as he's powering up for the dunk Melchioni gives him a 2 handed shove in the back, he makes a layup with his lower body coming out from under him. No whistle, more fans screaming for a foul, Roberts doing jumping jacks in front of the ref screaming for a foul. And then Packer has the audacity to complement Duke for keeping their composure in such a physical game and not losing their heads?

The better team won I don't doubt but can we just once have some at least marginally impartial announcers in a game featuring an ACC team?

 

[Dback Jon]

I saw that too - my partner thought I was going to throw something at the TV.

IF the refs weren't wearing Duke undies, Mississippi State should have one. The no call on Robert's dunk was a major momentum changer. And I could not believe Billy Packer - him and Vitale are the two worst announcer in all of basketball.



I was going to start the yearly I HATE DUKE thread, but this will do!

 

[Russ Smith]

It's just ruining the games for me. There are a lot of good players on Duke that I like, I don't need Packer to "sell" them to me, stop with the ridiculous ACC bias. Yes the ACC is 8-2 and that alone proves they're a great conference, you don't need to beat us over the head with it.

The other thing is it seems the bias spreads from Packer to the whole crew, if you notice, they NEVER once showed the replay of Williams "block" on Roberts dunk attempt. But showed the tie-up jump ball play about 5 times because in that one it DID appear Duke got shorted (should have been a foul on MSU).

At this point I find myself rooting for UW and UA even though in my pool I had Georgia Tech taking out Louisville and UW. I'd be allright with UNC winning it all I don't dislike them at all and I really love marvin Williams, but it'd sure be sweet if a non ACC team won it all.

 

[boisesuns]

russ, i was going to post something about this too. I was yelling at the TV (something i normally don't do) when what's his face was saying stuff about how duke should have gotten more calls and all his little comments down the streatch. then he went off at the end about how his perdiction was so great, and then cheering about the "steal" at the end.

 

[Dback Jon]

I noticed they didn't replay the block, either. Because it clearly would have shown a Duke foul.


The overhyping of Duke by Vitale and Packer, plus the appearance of Coach K in every commercial, is why I hate DUKE.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I liked how JJ went 5/17 from the floor and somehow Packer acted like the guy was Michael Jordan.

 

[thirty-two]

i watched the game too - had the same thoughts.

I hope Duke loses!!

 

[Chaz]

Didn't watch the game.

DUKE sucks. After the title game against UA a few years ago where Jay Williams should have fouled out 4 times I am bitter.

 

[Southpaw]

Come on guys and gals. That is Coach K's annointed squad you are demeaning.

Saint K gets the calls and the seeds.

Go U of W Milwaukie.

 

[NickelBack]

Bob Kemp was ripping Gus Johnson of CBS Sports yesterday for being a poor play-by-play announcer.