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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 9:49:51 GMT -5
Post by wrestlemania on Feb 2, 2012 9:49:51 GMT -5
Even though about 90% of his words were about everything but the game, I didn't think he was that bad last night.
But he clearly is more comfortable in the ACC and other big conferences where games are played on campus and/or he has closer relationships with the coaches. I don't know that he's ever spoken to JTIII, although his relationship with Pops seems to be pretty good.
And say what you want about Gottlieb, but he nailed UConn to the floor with his analysis.
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guru
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 10:27:43 GMT -5
Post by guru on Feb 2, 2012 10:27:43 GMT -5
Was at the game but interested to hear from those watching on TV what Vitale had to say (if anything) about the Hoyas. I did notice he went wild after Henry's dunk - hitting poor little Sean McD in the shoulders. He also went crazy on our first 3 of the game. Not sure why.
Anyway, was interesting to see him courtside. I bet he's called fewer than 7 or so Verizon Center games in his whole career
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NCHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 10:47:03 GMT -5
Post by NCHoya on Feb 2, 2012 10:47:03 GMT -5
Vitale was OK last night. I am not a fan of him, and his last Hoya game he was preoccupied with the upcoming Kentucky/UL game. I think wrestlemania hit it on the head, he does not have the relationship with III and therefore has less to talk about. He is very complimentary of Otto and Henry's improvement. Actually, his points about the Hoyas personnel were all spot-on last night . . . he did his homework. The story of course was UConn's struggles after being picked to win the BE so I was OK with the predominant conversation about the Huskies. I was shocked this was the first time he had ever worked with Sean McDonough, not sure how that is even possible, but they both mentioned it at the end of the game?
More than anything, the Hoyas usually play well when Vitale is doing the game so keep him.
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 10:47:47 GMT -5
Post by LizziebethHoya on Feb 2, 2012 10:47:47 GMT -5
He is just so staged. Pre-game he filmed his mandatory "dickie v in the middle of a crazy student section" with about 10 students and made the cheerleaders come over to do the "dickie v in the middle of cheerleaders"
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sead43
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 10:49:46 GMT -5
Post by sead43 on Feb 2, 2012 10:49:46 GMT -5
for those who were at the game and not watching, McDonough and Vitale mentioned at the top of the broadcast that it was the first time they'd worked together in a decade. couldn't believe that, didn't realize how separate ESPN keeps their announcing crews.
i thought they seemed to have done their homework...knew Hollis hadn't been up to snuff the last couple of games (Vitale even mentioned the fact that a bunch of his points in the Pitt game were during garbage time), mentioned Jason's free throw drop-off, gave props to Otto as being a very underrated freshman (or should i say diaper dandy...). they noted Henry's improvement and said he'd be catching the eye of NBA scouts and said who would've thought that last year. nothing you wouldn't expect from people who get paid to know the game, but still sometimes you wonder whether an announcer has ever seen the team they're watching...
for all the crap guys like mcdonough and vitale get from us (and often deservedly so) you have to admit that it just makes it feel like it's a big game when they (or Bilas/Raf) are in the house...kinda like when Costas or Buck are calling something.
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guru
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 10:54:15 GMT -5
Post by guru on Feb 2, 2012 10:54:15 GMT -5
for those who were at the game and not watching, McDonough and Vitale mentioned at the top of the broadcast that it was the first time they'd worked together in a decade. couldn't believe that, didn't realize how separate ESPN keeps their announcing crews. i thought they seemed to have done their homework...knew Hollis hadn't been up to snuff the last couple of games (Vitale even mentioned the fact that a bunch of his points in the Pitt game were during garbage time), mentioned Jason's free throw drop-off, gave props to Otto as being a very underrated freshman (or should i say diaper dandy...). they noted Henry's improvement and said he'd be catching the eye of NBA scouts and said who would've thought that last year. nothing you wouldn't expect from people who get paid to know the game, but still sometimes you wonder whether an announcer has ever seen the team they're watching... for all the crap guys like mcdonough and vitale get from us (and often deservedly so) you have to admit that it just makes it feel like it's a big game when they (or Bilas/Raf) are in the house...kinda like when Costas or Buck are calling something. Thanks for the rundown - shocked those guys haven't worked together in that long too.
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Boz
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123 Fireballs!
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 10:54:34 GMT -5
Post by Boz on Feb 2, 2012 10:54:34 GMT -5
Content aside, Vitale's voice sounded awful last night. Sounded like he was sick, but he's been sounding like that more and more often.
It was not pleasant to listen to.
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bmartin
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 11:12:53 GMT -5
Post by bmartin on Feb 2, 2012 11:12:53 GMT -5
Vitale also did one of his bits after Hopkins made a couple of plays, something like, "Hey coach, how about some more PT?"
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CO_Hoya
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 11:40:14 GMT -5
Post by CO_Hoya on Feb 2, 2012 11:40:14 GMT -5
As much as I despise McDonough, I thought he was making a conscious effort last night to keep Vitale engaged in the game rather than spouting about Coach K, Duke, etc.
Sure, Dickie had a few moments, but I was actually surprised to hear Vitale discuss in-game defensive adjustments, etc.
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 12:28:58 GMT -5
Post by aleutianhoya on Feb 2, 2012 12:28:58 GMT -5
I don't share the Board's general hatred for McDonough; I actually find him to generally be well-prepared and professional in terms of calling the game. He has a "call it like I see it" mentality and is opinionated, which I understand rubs many the wrong way. And I think there's clear chemistry among him, Raftery (my favorite announcer), and Bilas; I know we all appreciate when they give him crap about the Cuse connection.
In any event, I agree completely with CO that he was trying to bring Dickie back to earth several times. I also found it amusing when McDonough made some sort of statistical point and Vitale went on a riff about how well prepared McDonough is and how Vitale just steals money being there.
Both were very complimentary of Hollis' aggression in this game.
The thing with Dick is that if you get on his "list" of story-lines, you'll stay there for the year, and he's going to stay up-to-date on what you're doing and be generally well prepared about your club. The best way to do that is for him to be at one of your games early in the year and for you to play well in it. Early on, he was very complimentary of Otto, and he mentions him a lot now when he talks about Freshman. And he's consistently included the Hoyas among his "surprises." If he doesn't see your team or see you play well, he's not going to be up on what you're doing. At this stage of his career, I think most intelligent observers accurately dismiss him as a caricature, but there's no question that he has a very prominent stage and that it helps to be one of the teams/players he mentions.
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RDF
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 13:09:42 GMT -5
Post by RDF on Feb 2, 2012 13:09:42 GMT -5
I'll take this duo over that crap called Doris Burke. She was on air Saturday talking of how "Markel Starks has been a huge factor"---WTF? I think she's got a thing for Markel and doesn't do her damn homework-which leads to her now automatic NBA references to show viewers "I work NBA games, I'm a pioneer". Really just put her drivel to an END. She's awful and lazy.
Vitale was onpoint on both teams and liked his attack on lack of scoring in Basketball--as a whole-not shots at Hoyas or UConn--he's 100% correct too. WTF happened to offensive basketball?
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 13:57:24 GMT -5
Post by wrestlemania on Feb 2, 2012 13:57:24 GMT -5
Sidenote re: Pops -- there was a nice shot of him sitting in one of the skyboxes, the king on his throne, so to speak. But doesn't he usually sit courtside?
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CTHoya08
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Bring back Izzo!
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 13:59:17 GMT -5
Post by CTHoya08 on Feb 2, 2012 13:59:17 GMT -5
Every time I've seen Pops on TV, it's been in the skybox.
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NCHoya
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 14:04:25 GMT -5
Post by NCHoya on Feb 2, 2012 14:04:25 GMT -5
RDF, you bring up my biggest issue with ESPN right now. Doris Burke for as good as she was in the beginning is about as bad as you can be now and still have a job. I remember those comments about Markel too, and I was like have you even watched the Hoyas? Yea, she watched the highlights of the UL game and that is all that is needed for sound analysis these days. I am tough on the commentators in general, but it is their JOB to know basic things about the game they covered. Prepare notes like Rafftery, it takes all of 20 minutes, I mean, you are being paid for this.
I was pleasantly surprised with Vitale last night, but Doris Burke ugh.
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 14:11:12 GMT -5
Post by hotumlerya on Feb 2, 2012 14:11:12 GMT -5
Your'e dead on; there's too much "E" and not enough"S" in ESPN. Everyone of their color commentators from Vitale to Burke is transformed by the network. They start out pretty good--Burke was at the beginning and so was Dickie V way back when--and then they're transformed into entertainers who just have to be colorful and promote upcoming ESPN progams on the air. The career arc of Jay Bilas, who was once superb and is now just above average, is the best example of this.
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idhoya
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 14:14:57 GMT -5
Post by idhoya on Feb 2, 2012 14:14:57 GMT -5
Vitale also mentioned Noel as"the best shot blocker he'd seen in last few years" or something like that. My bet would be that Vitale hasn't seen him live ever, but has gotten reports from Telep or somebody. I go to aau camps and have never seen him at any of them.
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hoyarooter
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 14:33:39 GMT -5
Post by hoyarooter on Feb 2, 2012 14:33:39 GMT -5
I'll take this duo over that crap called Doris Burke. She was on air Saturday talking of how "Markel Starks has been a huge factor"---WTF? I think she's got a thing for Markel and doesn't do her damn homework-which leads to her now automatic NBA references to show viewers "I work NBA games, I'm a pioneer". Really just put her drivel to an END. She's awful and lazy. Vitale was onpoint on both teams and liked his attack on lack of scoring in Basketball--as a whole-not shots at Hoyas or UConn--he's 100% correct too. WTF happened to offensive basketball? What we've been viewing of late is definitely offensive basketball. ;D
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RDF
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 14:38:39 GMT -5
Post by RDF on Feb 2, 2012 14:38:39 GMT -5
Vitale also mentioned Noel as"the best shot blocker he'd seen in last few years" or something like that. My bet would be that Vitale hasn't seen him live ever, but has gotten reports from Telep or somebody. I go to aau camps and have never seen him at any of them. ID--Dickie V saw Noel at City of Palms this year--he went up to see him. Vitale was on his game last night--which will include the perpetual ADD moments but he knew about both teams and how they were actually playing and he added good analysis of the state of CBB offenses, and the game and I've been about as big of a Vitale basher as there is. McDonough as been over top of the praise for Georgetown this year--started in Maui and he's been more then complimentary. Wonder why? It's a set up of some sort but can't figure it out--yet. ;D Jokes aside-he talked up Henry Sims development/improvement and the team's success/expectations-which helps Hoyas case with media--because most as we know are too lazy to watch an entire game or analyze a season on their own. Also notice ESPN Classic has shown a ton of Hoyas games this year-and this week/next. Started with several Hoyas-UConn games, continues with several Hoyas-Cuse games next week leading into actual game, and even some Hoyas-SJU classics for follow up game. Been fun to watch some of the old games. Nice to see.
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idhoya
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 14:55:15 GMT -5
Post by idhoya on Feb 2, 2012 14:55:15 GMT -5
Then I owe Vitale an apology, but I still haven't seen him at any. If he saw Noel, cool, but I still say he doesn't see 75% he talks about. RDF, I 'll give him last night; he was actually decent. McDonough, suprisingly, was very nice to GU seeing that he's a Cuse dude. I think Bilas is still the best analyst. He breaks down plays.
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Vitale
Feb 2, 2012 16:48:29 GMT -5
Post by FromTheBeginning on Feb 2, 2012 16:48:29 GMT -5
i believe Pops sits in the skybox as long as there's an empty - when there's a really big game (Duke, SU, etc) and they're being used, he'll sit at the end of the table on the baseline near the Hoya bench.
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