Best Announcing Combo in the NCAA: Raftery and Lundquist
As you may have noticed, the NCAA tournament kicked off this last weekend. It’s been four days of upsets, blowouts, Greg Paulus on the bench and everyone learning that the ACC was overrated (I’ve been saying it all along). However, one thing has become abundantly clear – Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery are the best top-to-bottom announcing duo out there.
I know what you’re going to say. “But Gus Johnson is the balls” – and I agree. Johnson is pretty awesome in his own right. But he’s the play-by-play man. Len Elmore, his sidekick, sucks compared to Raftery. Verny Lundquist has an incredible voice that creates a perfect harmony with Billy Raftery. It’s like beautiful music.
But let’s all be real here. Raftery is the real star. The guy is famous for his incredible calls, things like:
- With a little kiss.
- With disdain to the tin.
- Send it in, Jerome.
- Onions!!
The guy is classic, and of course, makes watching games better. But this post isn’t about me – I want your opinions. Are you a Nance/Kellogg fan? Or maybe you’re the one guy out there who actually likes Ian Eagle (By the way, everyone knows its Ian, not ‘eye-on’) and Jim Spanarkal. Or maybe you’re a Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas guy/gal.
I really want to argue this one, so gimme all you got. Oh yeah, and only CBS sportscasters here. No former coaches like Steve Lavin who drove their programs into the ground, so settled for an ESPN gig. (And yes, we know Bilas and Raftery call for ESPN, but one is a lawyer and the other a legend.) So let’s hear it, folks. Let the debate begin…
And here’s a little Raftery if you need a reminder:
No doubt about it. Raftery is the best in the business. Lundquist is the perfect complement. Love watching games they call, it’s just too bad they don’t get to do the Final 4.
Screw. Tim. Brando. He RUINED all the KC games in round 1 and 2. If I here “the iron unkind,” “the iron is kind,” “the iron is unkind” another time, I’ll be pissed. I hope he isn’t announcing any more games. Of the others, I don’t really have a favorite. I like Gus Johnson and Raftery seems like he’s still tripping from the ’70s, but they’re fine. Just get Tim Brando off of the TV.
I am so glad somebody else noticed “Eye-on” Eagle. And he says it so fast that it sounds like ‘Ioneagle.’
Raftery and Lundquist have rapport like no other tandem. It’s like two old friends shooting the breeze… in a wind tunnel.
Look forward to “Mannaman!” from Raftery at the start of every game.
definitely wasn’t going to come in here to talk about tim brando. that’d be foolish.
*leaves post
Onions, Double Order! I actually just watched some of the NIT solely because Raftery was announcing. Lundqvist looks like Humpty Dumpty, but works great with Raftery. I would enjoy sharing a 30 pack with them.
I actually think Bill Raftery is one of the most annoying announcers on television. I watch basketball to see a game, not to hear some idiot in love with his own voice.