Raftery to Big East

[muwarrior69]

I friggin love love love this move. Johnson and Raft are great. Sure, both may at times become caricatures, but after doing something for so long and being liked for doing it, you often tend to give people what they want (and expect).

I think this is great from a credibility standpoint. No, announcers don't make/break a league or network, but they can certainly affect the perception of it.

Imagine if Fox Sports had hired ESPN's or CBS' third-string crew. With no "names", they'd have no cache or anything at the table from day one.

The fact that Johnson and Raft are two well-known "brands" helps the credibility of FS1. Great, great get. And as a fan, I'm super stoked to see Raft. I'll miss him and Bilas as they had great chemistry.

Who knows....maybe Bilas will jump to FOX1 too?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Who knows....maybe Bilas will jump to FOX1 too?

Unlikely.  Charissa Thompson is in the Fox fold now, from ESPN.  She is dating Jay Williams, who had his contract end with ESPN a few months ago. I don't think he resigned with ESPN, so you might see Williams come over to Fox.

ESPN is paring down a bunch of costs right now and willing to let some talent go, which Fox is happy to pick up.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Jay Williams is a douche bag

[hdog1017]

Onions!

[Lighthouse 84]

How can anyone not love this?   Both are outstanding!!!

[Mr. Nielsen]

I guess Gus won't be doing games on BTN anymore.

[muguru]

I love getting Raf but if it means he won't call NCAA tourney games anymore, than I don't know how I feel about it. Seems kind of bittersweet then.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I love getting Raf but if it means he won't call NCAA tourney games anymore, than I don't know how I feel about it. Seems kind of bittersweet then.

I would think him leaving ESPN has little/no impact on his working NCAA Tourney games broadcast on CBS/Turner. 

[Tums Festival]

What a great addition, Bill Raftery is Big East basketball!

[ChicosBailBonds]

I guess Gus won't be doing games on BTN anymore.

BTN is 49% owned by Fox.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I love getting Raf but if it means he won't call NCAA tourney games anymore, than I don't know how I feel about it. Seems kind of bittersweet then.

He might be able to.  ESPN "loaned" Jay Bilas and others over to CBS in the past to call NCAA Tournament games so it is not unprecedented.

[Mr. Nielsen]

BTN is 49% owned by Fox.

Ya, I know!

[bradley center bat]

I love getting Raf but if it means he won't call NCAA tourney games anymore, than I don't know how I feel about it. Seems kind of bittersweet then.

He is still with CBS.

[NavinRJohnson]

I have no use for Gus Johnson, but thrilled will the Raftery news.

[mileskishnish72]

I like Raft because when he gets excited he sometimes refers to MU as the Warriors.

[Newsdreams]

I love getting Raf but if it means he won't call NCAA tourney games anymore, than I don't know how I feel about it. Seems kind of bittersweet then.

As per ESPN he will still do CBS http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9430328/bill-raftery-leaves-espn-fox-sticks-big-east

[Golden Avalanche]

I love getting Raf but if it means he won't call NCAA tourney games anymore, than I don't know how I feel about it. Seems kind of bittersweet then.

People just don't read crap anymore, do they?

[willie warrior]

I like Raft because when he gets excited he sometimes refers to MU as the Warriors.

Only true knowledgeable basketball fans know that MU is and will always be Warriors. Golden Eagles is just the PC name used by the phonies.

[klyrish]

I never understood how pissed off or excited about announcers. The announcers have a .0000001% effect on the game to me.

That said, both these guys are big names and generally liked. Great for the new conference.

You've clearly never watched a game called by Mark Pritchard and Lon Elmwood.

[MarquetteDano]

I do like both guys but I hope Johnson finds a way to be balanced in his excitement.  At critical moments or the end of the game... his energy is great.  But when a guy makes a nice shot in the first five minutes let's not pretend it is the greatest moment ever.

[keefe]

You've clearly never watched a game called by Mark Pritchard and Lon Elmwood.

I am guessing you are referencing Len Elmore. What's crazy is that he is a Harvard Law grad so one would think his training would yield exceptional precision and accuracy in his commentary. What is obvious is that his part time gig gets little prep. He should be held accountable for butchering players' names. It really is inexcusable.

[shoothoops]

I try to be objective.

Bill Raftery is a great pickup imo.  He knows the teams and league.  He's extremely likable as a person.  It is such an admirable trait to be able to offer constructive criticism in a positive way.  This is a big Raft trait.  He likes what he does.  And, it shows.  It's fair to say that He isn't the same at times, but that can be expected at this stage of his career.  His work is still very good more often than not at this time.  At some point that will change.  I don't think it will in the early stages of the new league during the transition period.

Partnered with Gus Johnson.  Johnson is solid, but not great imo.  He has a lot of potential to be better than he is at this time.  Some will have blanket reaction/opinion based on their like or dislike for his enthusiasm.  For me, when it is natural in certain parts of a game, it's great.  But when it's manufactured, which for me has happened too much in recent years, it's far less appealing.  His prep isn't always what I'd like to see, and pairing him with Raft, might not provide the best balance there.  But both are solid enough and likable enough to do fine.

Raft isn't play by play and I always separate the two jobs.  But pne can think of Verne Lundquist or Dick Enberg when thinking of Raft.  Enberg's worked slipped more and sooner than Verne, but Verne's has too.  Raft is slowly going down that path.  And, at times, he could do better to slip in the catch phrases on some spots vs others, more judiciously.  That's fair.

I like both Raft and Johnson, and I think it's a good start for the new league.

I would have to agree regarding Len Elmore.  He's clearly intelligent and understands the game, but prep was lacking.  And, for some, likability wasn't there as much as some pf the others.  Plus LE was/ is more of a debate person. 

Harlan is good pbp imo.  McDonough is good.  Leading the viewer/listener, adding to the broadcast, without being the focal point.  I like Ian Eagle as well.

[klyrish]

I am guessing you are referencing Len Elmore. What's crazy is that he is a Harvard Law grad so one would think his training would yield exceptional precision and accuracy in his commentary. What is obvious is that his part time gig gets little prep. He should be held accountable for butchering players' names. It really is inexcusable.

Mike Patrick (who messes up every person's name and what team they're on) and Len Elmore...the John Madden of NCAA commentary without any of the funny noises. Besides the general humor stemming from his weird voice.

[mileskishnish72]

You are so right, Willie.

[muwarrior69]

So does this mean there will be only one Big East game on any one day?