Crean and Fanta on the Call Tonight

[SaveOD238]

I wanted to not like this pairing, but I have to hand it to Crean, I couldn't believe how good he was as a color commentator. I felt like I actually learned about basketball (and he had some unique insights into the MU program).

Has anyone done more to repair their image around here than Crean? He used to get booed on the Jumbotron. Things started to turn for me at the 100 Years celebration, where he was also excellent.

Dude practically got a standing ovation last night.  Time heals all wounds, I guess.

[Galway Eagle]

I wanted to not like this pairing, but I have to hand it to Crean, I couldn't believe how good he was as a color commentator. I felt like I actually learned about basketball (and he had some unique insights into the MU program).

Has anyone done more to repair their image around here than Crean? He used to get booed on the Jumbotron. Things started to turn for me at the 100 Years celebration, where he was also excellent.

I think it started when he came back for the centennial celebration. Then he's been back for how many 2003 reunions where people are associating him with Wade Diener and Novak again. But yeah it's wild how it's changed

[warriorchick]

https://x.com/TomCrean/status/1889710031945273665?t=Tmytk5kSXu67aPWXK15WEA&s=19

[Hards Alumni]

I'll say it.  Tom grew up.  He got humbled at Indiana and then again at Georgia.  He repaired his image at Marquette by showing up.  Tom comes to events he is invited to, and seems to genuinely care.  He's done right for a few years, and that kind of stuff gets noticed.

He is a fantastic broadcast guy and should 100% stick to doing it.  Fanta is fine, and getting better... though I do think he is a little too much Dickie V.  Over the top, but he does have a ton of enthusiasm and strikes me as a real decent guy as well.

Enjoyable call from these two guys on Tuesday.  They're head and shoulders above any of the Fox guys we've had.

[wadesworld]

Crean does a good job, but can get caught up in some excitement too.  While we were on the road to Indi for the first round game last year we had NCAA Tournament games on the radio and Crean was calling one.  I can't remember who the play by play guy was, but both guys were going absolutely nuts at everything.  Play by play guy was calling a layup with 13 minutes left in the first half to make it a 14-12 lead as if it was Kris Jenkins's buzzer beater over UNC to win the national title, and Crean was matching the energy the play by play guy brought.  Both guys just absolutely screaming.

[Mr. Nielsen]

This. 

Everything is terrible about CBSSN... especially the commentators.  I missed yesterday's game since I was there but the games I have watched on Peacock always have a high production value.

There is a only a couple of crews that are solid. Picture is tops! Yet, many crews do lack. CBSSN has the best studio show, with Inside College Basketball.

[cheebs09]

I'm guessing him getting fired at Indiana helped fans get over it. I'm sure some of it was not wanting him to do better at Indiana than MU.

Also, agree he has done a great job being involved. At least what I can tell, he makes it about the players when he's back and not himself.

[Mr. Nielsen]

I'll say it.  Tom grew up.  He got humbled at Indiana and then again at Georgia.  He repaired his image at Marquette by showing up.  Tom comes to events he is invited to, and seems to genuinely care.  He's done right for a few years, and that kind of stuff gets noticed.

He is a fantastic broadcast guy and should 100% stick to doing it.  Fanta is fine, and getting better... though I do think he is a little too much Dickie V.  Over the top, but he does have a ton of enthusiasm and strikes me as a real decent guy as well.

Enjoyable call from these two guys on Tuesday.  They're head and shoulders above any of the Fox guys we've had.

Good point, until the end. There not better than Bennati, Kugler, Raftery, Jackson or Hummel.

[BM1090]

Good point, until the end. There not better than Bennati, Kugler, Raftery, Jackson or Hummel.

I might get killed for this but Raf has kind of sucked for a couple of years now.

LOVE Benetti

[TallTitan34]

I might get killed for this but Raf has kind of sucked for a couple of years now.

LOVE Benetti

He's definitely lost his fastball but I still enjoy him.

[TallTitan34]

Finally went back and watched the broadcast.  Thought they were great together.

One thing Fanta mentioned was that Shaka wants Crean to have a banner in the rafters.  I'm sure many will disagree but I think it would be deserved.  I don't think we have Wade, the Al, the Big East, etc. without Crean.

[BrewCity83]

Finally went back and watched the broadcast.  Thought they were great together.

One thing Fanta mentioned was that Shaka wants Crean to have a banner in the rafters.  I'm sure many will disagree but I think it would be deserved.  I don't think we have Wade, the Al, the Big East, etc. without Crean.

Shaka's just paving the way to get his own banner. If Crean's best achievement was one FF...

[MU82]

I might get killed for this but Raf has kind of sucked for a couple of years now.

LOVE Benetti

Yeah, Raf is pretty much just a weak imitation of his better self at this point. Mostly obvious observations punctuated by a series of catchphrases. The puppies are organized already.

I remember thinking Jim Spanarkel did a pretty good job in past years. Is he still on the air anywhere?

[PJDunn]

Bardo. End of discussion.

[Judge Smails]

I like Dickey Simpkins and Pete Guillen.

[JWags85]

He's developed a lot more of a personality since leaving MU (and probably Indiana). He seems to have fun with the PMT guys.

The PMT segments are what sold it for me.  I never harbored some of the ill will towards him, but fully accepted that he was kind of an uptight weirdo.  But he was geniunely self-deprecating, funny, and personable with PMT and I think its carried to his other media work.  He's really good at color work, he's great in studio, he's got another decade of doing really well at this.  I would wager his coaching days are behind him.  Far worse things than plenty of money, some good TV gigs, and family network with all the connections in the sporting world you could want.

[jesmu84]

I like Dickey Simpkins and Pete Guillen.

/s?

[Uncle Rico]

I like Dickey Simpkins and Pete Guillen.

I prefer Ozzie, but to each their own

[MU82]

Bardo. End of discussion.

I tell you what!

[The Sultan]

Yeah, Raf is pretty much just a weak imitation of his better self at this point. Mostly obvious observations punctuated by a series of catchphrases. The puppies are organized already.

I remember thinking Jim Spanarkel did a pretty good job in past years. Is he still on the air anywhere?

I think he just does postseason work for CBS at this point. My recollection is that he is a pretty successful finance guy so doesn't need to do this full time.

[The Sultan]

Bardo. End of discussion.

Agreed. I like Bardo a lot.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Finally went back and watched the broadcast.  Thought they were great together.

One thing Fanta mentioned was that Shaka wants Crean to have a banner in the rafters.  I'm sure many will disagree but I think it would be deserved.  I don't think we have Wade, the Al, the Big East, etc. without Crean.

Over 3K in student season tickets for 20 plus years now.

[HutchwasClutch]

Jim Jackson is very underrated- insightful, excellent voice, smooth. 

[HutchwasClutch]

Over 3K in student season tickets for 20 plus years now.

Program, especially student engagement, was declining rapidly under Deane.  That was one of Crean's top priorities after taking over, get the students enthused about the program and attending again.  And he turned that around quickly. 

He left the program far better than he found it.  Can't ask much more than that. He left an indelible mark at MU.

[HutchwasClutch]

Yeah, Raf is pretty much just a weak imitation of his better self at this point. Mostly obvious observations punctuated by a series of catchphrases. The puppies are organized already.

I remember thinking Jim Spanarkel did a pretty good job in past years. Is he still on the air anywhere?

Spanarkel and Ian Eagle were an excellent team.  Called our game and comeback against Davidson.