Networks busy as college basketball plays its conference tournaments; Jim Nantz has Big Ten
By David J. Halberstam 03/10/2021
For the next four weeks or so, college basketball will dominate the attention of the sports world. This weekend is a long one for those engaged in the game. Conference Tournaments across the land are in business already and results will effect bubble teams and seeds for the NCAA Tournament.
Jim Nantz, CBS’ Voice of March Madness works his first game of the season this weekend covering the Big Ten Tournament. Jim’s schedule is unending between football and golf. So by the time that viewers hear his voice calling hoops, usually during the weekend of the conference tournaments, they know March Madness is here. Cancelled last year by the pandemic, fans are eager to have it back. All games will be played in the Indianapolis area. The NCAA will allow seats to be filled to 25% of capacity.
Talking of the conference tournaments, our columnist Rich Podolsky says Tim Brando is an ironman. “Tim is doing five games in 25 1/2 hours at the Big East Tournament for Fox, starting 3 pm Wednesday through Thursday’s afternoon doubleheader ending at about 4:40 pm.
Woman at work: Tiffany Greene on play-by-play.
Just saw where Les Levine died last month of Parkinson’s at 74. He was a fixture in the Cleveland area calling sports, including Cleveland State basketball. Rest in peace. His brother is Dave Bacon who’ll work the MAC Tournament this weekend for ESPN+.
Josh Appel is South Florida based and has done minor league ball in the Clearwater area for a Phillies affiliate. he’s been assigned CUSA games during its weekend tournament.
You’ve seen Kevin Brown. He does football and basketball for ESPN. Brown has assignments this weekend for the American Conference
Alex Del Barrio working MAC Tournament is a sports anchor in Rio Grand valley, Texas.
David Saltzman is a Houston based announcer who has calls for the Southland Tournament. Saltzman is an alum of the University of Texas, Austin, 1996.
Charlie Neal on the MEAC call has worked in several markets in the past and spent 23 years with BET. Don’t think he’s related to the late Dodgers’ second baseman by the same name.
Andy Katz who for many years covered college ball for ESPN will be part of the CBS studio team covering the NCAA Tournament. He’ll cover the Big Ten Tournament for the eponymous Big Ten Network this weekend.
Sean McDonough has the ACC Tournament. Now there’s a man who can call a game!
Calling some of the WAC Tournament is Adam Young, the Voice of New Mexico State.
Thursday, March 11
11 AM- MAC Quarterfinal: Toledo vs. Ball State
ESPN+: Michael Reghi, Dave Bacon
11:30 AM- Big 12 Quarterfinal: West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State
ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
11:30 AM- B1G 2nd Round: Michigan State vs. Maryland
B1G: Kevin Kugler, Stephen Bardo, Andy Katz
Noon- ACC Quarterfinal: Virginia vs. Syracuse
ESPN2: Sean McDonough, Cory Alexander, Allison Williams
Noon- American 1st Round: USF vs. Temple
ESPNU: Mike Corey, Mark Adams
Noon- Big East Quarterfinal: Villanova vs. Georgetown
FS1: Tim Brando, Jim Jackson
Noon- SEC 2nd Round: Kentucky vs. Mississippi State
SEC: Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes
1 PM- Big Sky Quarterfinal: Southern Utah vs. Northern Colorado
Pluto TV: Jon Oglesby, Joe Cravens
1:30 PM- MAC Quarterfinal: Kent State vs. Ohio
ESPN+: Michael Reghi, Dave Bacon
2 PM- SEC 2nd Round: Florida vs. Vanderbilt
SEC: Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes
2 PM- B1G 2nd Round: Ohio State vs. Minnesota
B1G: Kevin Kugler, Stephen Bardo, Andy Katz
2 PM- Big West Quarterfinal: UC Santa Barbara vs. Long Beach State
ESPN3: Trent Rush, Richie Schueler, Courtney Sweet
2:30 PM- Big 12 Quarterfinal: Baylor vs. Kansas State
ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
2:30 PM- ACC Quarterfinal: Georgia Tech vs. Miami-FL
ESPN2: Sean McDonough, Cory Alexander, Allison Williams
2:30 PM- Pac-12 Quarterfinal: Oregon vs. Arizona State
P12, P12 AZ, P12 OR: Roxy Bernstein, Don MacLean, Matt Muehlebach
3 PM- American 1st Round: Tulsa vs. Tulane
ESPNU: Mike Corey, Mark Adams
3 PM- Big East Quarterfinal: St. John’s vs. Seton Hall
FS1: Tim Brando, Jim Jackson
3 PM- MW Quarterfinal: San Diego State vs. Wyoming
CBSSN: Rich Waltz, Dan Dickau
3 PM- SWAC Quarterfinal: Texas Southern vs. Alcorn State
ESPN3: Santoria Black, Tolly Carr
4 PM- Big Sky Quarterfinal: Idaho State vs. Montana State
Pluto TV: Jon Oglesby, Joe Cravens
4 PM- MAC Quarterfinal: Buffalo vs. Miami-OH
ESPN+: Michael Reghi, Dave Bacon
5 PM- Big West Quarterfinal: UC Davis vs. Cal State Bakersfield
ESPN3: Trent Rush, Richie Schueler, Courtney Sweet
5 PM- MAAC Quarterfinal: St. Peter’s vs. Rider
ESPN+:
5:30 PM- MW Quarterfinal: Boise State vs. Nevada
CBSSN: Rich Waltz, Dan Dickau
5:30 PM- Pac-12 Quarterfinal: UCLA vs. Oregon State
P12, P12 LA, P12 OR: Roxy Bernstein, Don MacLean, Matt Muehlebach
6 PM- Big East Quarterfinal: Creighton vs. Butler
FS1: Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery
6 PM- Southland 3rd Round: Northwestern State vs. New Orleans
ESPN+: David Saltzman, Ben Braun
6 PM- MEAC 1st Round: Florida A&M vs. Morgan State
FloHoops: Charlie Neal, Cy Alexander
6:30 PM- ACC Quarterfinal: Florida State vs. Duke (cancelled)
6:30 PM- Big 12 Quarterfinal: Kansas vs. Oklahoma
ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
6:30 PM- B1G 2nd Round: Rutgers vs. Indiana
B1G: Brandon Gaudin, Shon Morris, Rick Pizzo
6:30 PM- CUSA Quarterfinal: Western Kentucky vs. UTSA
Stadium: Chris Vosters, John Giannini
6:30 PM- MAC Quarterfinal: Akron vs. Bowling Green
ESPN+: Michael Reghi, Dave Bacon
7 PM- American 1st Round: UCF vs. ECU
ESPN2: Kevin Brown, Mark Adams, Kris Budden
7 PM- SEC 2nd Round: Missouri vs. Georgia
SEC: Tom Hart, Dane Bradshaw
7 PM- CUSA Quarterfinal: UAB vs. Rice
Stadium (Facebook): Josh Appel, Dani Klupenger
7 PM- Big Sky Quarterfinal: Eastern Washington vs. Northern Arizona
Pluto TV: Jon Oglesby, Joe Cravens
7:30 PM- WAC 1st Round: California Baptist vs. Seattle U
ESPN+: Adam Young, Sed Bonner, Rachel Vigil
7:30 PM- MAAC Quarterfinal: Marist vs. Niagara
ESPN+:
8 PM- Big West Quarterfinal: UC Irvine vs. Cal Poly
ESPN3: Matt Brown, Richie Schueler, Courtney Sweet
8 PM- MEAC 1st Round: Norfolk State vs. UNC Central
FloHoops: Charlie Neal, Cy Alexander
8:30 PM- Pac-12 Quarterfinal: USC vs. Utah
P12, P12 LA, P12 MTN: Ted Robinson, Bill Walton, Matt Muehlebach
8:30 PM- ACC Quarterfinal: Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina
ESPN: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Allison Williams
9 PM- Big East Quarterfinal: UConn vs. DePaul
FS1: Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery
9 PM- MW Quarterfinal: Utah State vs. UNLV
CBSSN: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas
9 PM- SEC 2nd Round: Ole Miss vs. South Carolina
SEC: Tom Hart, Dane Bradshaw
9 PM- B1G 2nd Round: Wisconsin vs. Penn State
B1G: Brandon Gaudin, Shon Morris, Rick Pizzo
9 PM- Southland 3rd Round: Sam Houston State vs. Lamar
ESPN+: David Saltzman, Jim Haller
9:30 PM- Big 12 Quarterfinal: Texas vs. Texas Tech
ESPN2: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
9:30 PM- CUSA Quarterfinal: Louisiana Tech vs. FAU
Stadium: Chris Vosters, John Giannini
9:30 PM- SWAC Quarterfinal: Grambling State vs. Southern
ESPN3: James Verrett, Tolly Carr
10 PM- CUSA Quarterfinal: Old Dominion vs. North Texas
Stadium (Facebook): Josh Appel, Dani Klupenger
10 PM- Big Sky Quarterfinal: Weber State vs. Montana
Pluto TV: Jon Oglesby, Joe Cravens
11 PM- Big West Quarterfinal: UC Riverside vs. Hawai’i
ESPN3: Matt Brown, Richie Schueler, Courtney Sweet
11 PM- WAC 1st Round: New Mexico State vs. UTRGV
ESPN+: Michael Potter, Joan Bonvicini, Rachel Vigil
11:30 PM- MW Quarterfinal: Colorado State vs. Fresno State
CBSSN: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas
11:30 PM- Pac-12 Quarterfinal: Colorado vs. Cal
ESPN: Dave Pasch, Bill Walton
Friday, March 12
11:30 AM- B1G Quarterfinal: Michigan vs. Michigan State/Maryland
B1G: Brandon Gaudin, Shon Morris, Rick Pizzo
Noon- SEC Quarterfinal: Alabama vs. Kentucky/Mississippi State
ESPN: Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, Marty Smith
Noon- American Quarterfinal: Wichita State vs. USF/ Temple
ESPN2: Kevin Brown, Dan Dakich, Kris Budden
Noon- CUSA Semifinal:
CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Avery Johnson
2 PM- SEC Quarterfinal: Tennessee vs. Florida/Vanderbilt
ESPN: Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, Marty Smith
2 PM- B1G Quarterfinal: Purdue vs. Ohio State/Northwestern/Minnesota
B1G: Brandon Gaudin, Shon Morris, Rick Pizzo
3 PM- American Quarterfinal: SMU vs. Cincinnati
ESPN2: Kevin Brown, Dan Dakich, Kris Budden
3 PM- CUSA Semifinal:
CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Avery Johnson
3 PM- SWAC Semifinal:
ESPN3: Santoria Black, Tolly Carr
5 PM- MAC Semifinal:
CBSSN: Alex Del Barrio, Steve Wolf
6 PM- Big East Semifinal:
FS1: Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson
6 PM- MAAC Semifinal:
ESPNews: Tiffany Greene, Chris Spatola
6 PM- Southland Semifinal: Nicholls vs. Northwestern State/New Orleans
ESPN+: David Saltzman, Ben Braun
6 PM- MEAC Semifinal: Coppin State vs.
FloHoops: Charlie Neal, Cy Alexander
6:30 PM- ACC Semifinal:
ESPN or ESPN2: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Allison Williams
6:30 PM- Big 12 Semifinal:
ESPN or ESPN2: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
6:30 PM- B1G Quarterfinal: Illinois vs. Rutgers/Indiana
B1G: Kevin Kugler, Stephen Bardo, Andy Katz
7 PM- American Quarterfinal: Houston vs. Tulsa/Tulane
ESPNU: Mike Corey, Mark Adams, Kris Budden
7 PM- SEC Quarterfinal: Arkansas vs. Georgia/Missouri
SEC: Tom Hart, Jimmy Dykes, Marty Smith
7:30 PM- MAC Semifinal:
CBSSN: Alex Del Barrio, Steve Wolf
7:30 PM- Big Sky Semifinal:
Pluto TV: Jon Oglesby, Joe Cravens
8 PM- WAC Semifinal:
ESPN+: Adam Young, Sed Bonner, Rachel Vigil
8 PM- MEAC Semifinal: North Carolina A&T vs.
8:30 PM- MAAC Semifinal:
ESPNews: Tiffany Greene, Chris Spatola
8:30 PM- Pac-12 Semifinal:
P12: Ted Robinson, Bill Walton, Matt Muehlebach
9 PM- ACC Semifinal: Florida State vs.
ESPN or ESPN2: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Allison Williams
9 PM- Big East Semifinal:
FS1: Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson
9 PM- SEC Quarterfinal: LSU vs. South Carolina/Ole Miss
SEC: Tom Hart, Jimmy Dykes, Marty Smith
9 PM- B1G Quarterfinal: Iowa vs. Wisconsin/Penn State/Nebraska
B1G: Kevin Kugler, Stephen Bardo, Andy Katz
9 PM- Southland Semifinal: Abilene Christian vs. Sam Houston State/Lamar
ESPN+: David Saltzman, Ben Braun
9:30 PM- Big 12 Semifinal:
ESPN or ESPN2: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
9:30 PM- MW Semifinal:
CBSSN: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas
9:30 PM- SWAC Semifinal:
ESPN3: James Verrett, Tolly Carr
9:30 PM- Big West Semifinal:
ESPN3: Dave Feldman, Corey Williams
10 PM- American Quarterfinal: Memphis vs. UCF/ECU
ESPNU: Mike Corey, Mark Adams, Kris Budden
10 PM- Big Sky Semifinal:
Pluto TV: Jon Oglesby, Joe Cravens
11 PM- WAC Semifinal:
ESPN+: Michael Potter, Joan Bonvicini, Rachel Vigil
11:30 PM- Pac-12 Semifinal:
ESPN: Dave Pasch, Bill Walton
12 AM- Big West Semifinal:
ESPNU: Dave Feldman, Corey Williams
12 AM- MW Semifinal:
CBSSN: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas
Saturday, March 13
11 AM- America East Championship: UMass Lowell at Hartford
ESPN2: Roy Philpott, Noah Savage
1 PM- B1G Semifinal:
CBS: Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, Tracy Wolfson
1 PM- SEC Semifinal:
ESPN: Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, Marty Smith
1 PM- MEAC Championship:
ESPN2: John Schriffen, Cory Alexander
3 PM- SEC Semifinal:
ESPN: Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, Marty Smith
3 PM- American Semifinal:
ESPN2: Kevin Brown, Dan Dakich, Kris Budden
3:30 PM- B1G Semifinal:
CBS: Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, Tracy Wolfson
4 PM- MAAC Championship:
ESPNU: Tiffany Greene, Chris Spatola
5:30 PM- American Semifinal:
ESPN2: Kevin Brown, Dan Dakich, Kris Budden
6 PM- MW Championship:
CBS: Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
6 PM- Big 12 Championship:
ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
6 PM- SWAC Championship:
ESPNU: Derek Jones, King McClure
6:30 PM- Big East Championship:
FOX: Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson
7:30 PM- MAC Championship:
ESPN2: Jason Benetti, Jon Crispin
8 PM- Big Sky Championship:
ESPNU: Rich Hollenberg, Malcolm Huckaby
8:30 PM- ACC Championship:
ESPN: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Allison Williams
9 PM- CUSA Championship:
CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Avery Johnson
9:30 PM- Southland Championship:
ESPN2: Matt Schick, Joe Kleine
10 PM- WAC Championship:
10:30 PM- Pac-12 Championship:
ESPN: Dave Pasch, Bill Walton
11:30 PM- Big West Championship:
ESPN2: Dave Feldman, Corey Williams
Sunday, March 14
Noon- Patriot League Championship:
CBSSN: Jason Knapp, Mo Cassara
1 PM- A10 Championship:
CBS: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
1 PM- SEC Championship:
ESPN: Karl Ravech, Dick Vitale, Marty Smith
3:15 PM- American Championship:
ESPN: Kevin Brown, Dan Dakich, Kris Budden
3:30 PM- B1G Championship:
CBS: Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, Tracy Wolfson
