Tonight's Announcers...

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Were great!  I think it helped being the late game, they were bored from watching the USF-Cinci game, and they were definitely a little punchy. Had a shout out to the Warriors followed by a SJ Redmen reference.

[ErickJD08]

They are the best in the business PERIOD.  Honestly, they make watching the game more enjoyable.

[#MUBB]

+1

I don't mind the morning announcers with Doris Burke and Co. either. Both groups do a great job.

[CTWarrior]

+1.

They seem to enjoy each other's company and the game they are calling.  A great team.  I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan and the Sox dumped McDonough because he was so critical all the time of the manager, etc, but his style works great on a national level.

[NavinRJohnson]

Agreed. Love them in the more laid back setting of the BET particular. They don't take themselves to seriously, and aren't afraid to have some fun.

Which begs the question, are they done after last night, or after tonight?  I don't recall when that usually happens (probably after they go to just one session, which would obviously be Friday), but I assume Len Elmore is on his way.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Still chuckling about when someone noted Cadougan hit his career high after a previous career high against Providence, McDonough said, "Everyone gets their career high against Providence." Bilas & Raftery immediately and jokingly got on his case for that and he started backtracking right away but to no avail!

[21Jumpstreet]

Very much enjoy watching a game with that crew.  Was funny that when Sportscenter started and they went to the MU highlights the player of the game was now named "Caddigan."

[mileskishnish72]

Bilas also reprised his "missing the Warriors" thought, indicating it might be "politically incorrect" - even though surveys indicate that Indians don't find the names offensive, if I recall the SI article correctly - guess I'm not PC either - I miss the Warriors. But the Golden Eagles certainly pulled out a nice win.

[BrewCity83]

I also loved the fact that they continually slammed Burr and Higgins for their horrible reffing job in the Rutgers game.

[jaybilaswho?]

I also loved the fact that they continually slammed Burr and Higgins for their horrible reffing job in the Rutgers game.

That was great. McDonough, Rafftery and Bilas could call every game for the rest of their lives and it would never get old.

[buckchuckler]

I can't lie, I loved the Flowers, Gardner, Garden stuff.  Just terrible.  But funny.  They were great.

[willie warrior]

Bilas also reprised his "missing the Warriors" thought, indicating it might be "politically incorrect" - even though surveys indicate that Indians don't find the names offensive, if I recall the SI article correctly - guess I'm not PC either - I miss the Warriors. But the Golden Eagles certainly pulled out a nice win.

MU Men's team will always be the Warriors--and Bilas is absolutely right in continuing to call them that. Enough with the PC BS.

[GGGG]

But they also know the game. Like when they said we had to attack the baseline in the 1-3-1...and then DJO hits the shot from the corner. So much better than vitale.

[augoman]

spot on Sultan,  I made the same comment during the game.  They continue to impress with their bball savy.  Best troika since, well, maybe Al, and Billy and ..., well maybe not.

[murambler]

No Elmore for us this year... It appears we'll get to enjoy McRaftilas for the next 3 nights.  According to this schedule, they will be announcing all night games up to and including the Big East final.  

http://www.satellitetv-news.com/2011-championship-week-broadcast-schedule-on-espn/

[jtsanto]

Next to Gus Johnson these three are the best around. They really do their homework, and make the game more interesting. A perfect example of this is when they mentioned the article about Keno Davis being fired. They brought up a team that was out of it, and they were still reading articles about them. Greta job by this group!!

[jtsanto]

Side note on this....How many times will Bilas say that Marquette is small, tonight? I say there are four mentions of it. He loves to bring up that point.

[NavinRJohnson]

Next to Gus Johnson these three are the best around. They really do their homework, and make the game more interesting. A perfect example of this is when they mentioned the article about Keno Davis being fired. They brought up a team that was out of it, and they were still reading articles about them. Greta job by this group!!

I still don't get why people like Gus Johnson. He isn't bad, but I have no use for his hyperbolic BS. I am proud to be out front on his journey to Chris Berman Town, and Stuart Scottville. Those guys used to be considered entertaining and clever too.

[CTWarrior]

Side note on this....How many times will Bilas say that Marquette is small, tonight? I say there are four mentions of it. He loves to bring up that point.

Will it be more or less than the number of times he mentions how hard Otule posts up and occupies a defender even though they don't pass the ball into him that often?

[hdog1017]

I can't get enough of Bill Raftery. 

[CTWarrior]

I still don't get why people like Gus Johnson.

I really like Gus Johnson because his enthusiasm really seems genuine and he makes the game exciting.  He doesn't always leave enough room for his partner to do the analysis stuff, though.  That doesn't bother me as it might bother other folks though, since I already know everything.  

[TallTitan34]

Jay Bilas was asked if Raftery minded his tweets about him.  Bilas replied, "Even if he knew what twitter was he wouldn't know how to check them".

http://twitter.com/#!/jaybilas

Bill Raftery to me: "I hear you've been tweeting about me. What the hell does that mean?"

Woman to Raftery: "Why beer before wine?". Raftery: Just to get outta the gate, keep my balance."

Bill Raftery to bartender: "Hey, give me another one of these, just to see if I like it. Sprinkle the infield, too."

Bill Raftery, when asked about his big briefcase: "It's my research and material. You'd be really impressed, if McDonough let me talk."

Bill Raftery, upon being directed to a rocking chair to sit down for a meeting: "What, do you think I'm 90? Don't answer that!!"

Guy at Chipotle: "You look a lot like Jay Bilas." Me: "Really? He must be really good looking." Guy: "Yo, I didn't say all that."

Bill Raftery, looking at a buffet with bagels sliced into quarters on a tray: "What, I have to solve a Rubik's cube to have a whole bagel?"

Bill Raftery to a guy that took issue with something critical he said: "I must have missed all of your thank you notes for the good stuff."

Producer to Bill Raftery: "What room are you in, Bill?" Raftery: "Oooh, tough question."

Stranger to Raftery: "Is that your beer?". Raftery: "Yes, you want a sip?"

Friend to Raftery: "I'm trying to sing your praises, here.". Raftery: "Just hum a few bars."

Raftery to his daughter: "Where is your husband?" Daughter: "He's at home. He's not like our family - he doesn't go out every night."

Breaking News: Notre Dame coach Mike Brey appears at MSG without mock turtle. Brey sports open collared shirt. Somewhere, Digger smiles.

[GGGG]

I love Bilas.  He hasn't been "watered down" by the goofs at ESPN yet.  BTW, that quote from Raftery's daughter is something my kids will probably be saying about my family in a few years.

[Skatastrophy]

I can't lie, I loved the Flowers, Gardner, Garden stuff.  Just terrible.  But funny.  They were great.

Or the, "I don't want to say it but... Pepper is feeling salty!"

I lost my sh*t when he dropped that groaner

[Dawson Rental]

+1.

They seem to enjoy each other's company and the game they are calling.  A great team.  I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan and the Sox dumped McDonough because he was so critical all the time of the manager, etc, but his style works great on a national level.

I wish McDonough would be better prepared though.  Every game I hear him say something that I know isn't true.  Last night it was talking about how Crowder spent two years at Howard Junior College.