Weekend Tube Review: CBS, ESPN Play Nice

By Brian Powell
Both ESPN and CBS did a wonderful job of bringing the brackets to us last evening, but even before the brackets were released the two networks were completing one of the most interesting trade-off. ESPN stepped up late Saturday night and agreed to allow CBS to air the SEC Championship game on ESPN so CBS could go ahead with its nationally televised Big 10 Championship.
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Georgia stunned Arkansas on a CBS broadcast, which aired on ESPN2, and could ultimately play into low ratings for CBS’ Selection Show. I’m sure more people were watching a closely contested SEC Championship on the Deuce and ESPN jumped on the chance to try and keep people around. As soon as the game ended and Verne Lundquist signed of with, “a CBS production,†ESPN’s Rece Davis was there to counter with, “which was aired by ESPN.” The WWL had everyone in place and began their Bracketology programming immediately after the change over.
CBS still had the picks before ESPN (about two-three minutes for each region) and their analysts were much more involved in the program. Greg Gumbel, Seth Davis, and Clark Kellogg did an excellent job with the picks and had a great interview with the NCAA Tournament Chairman immediately after the brackets were released.
ESPN countered with a quintet which consisted of Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis, and Bob Knight. Knight was again subdued (much like his debut) and reserved during the program, and spent much of the evening slouched over the desk while those around him made their cases for teams who were in and out.
CBS Announcing Teams for the First Two Rounds:
Studio Team: Greg Gumbel, Clark Kellogg, and Seth Davis
Jim Nantz/Billy Packer
Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn/Jay Bilas
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore
Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner
Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel
Craig Bolerjack/Bob Wenzel
Tim Brando/Mike Gminski
(The actual schedule should come out in a day or two)
Quotes of the Weekend:
“That’s A YouTube Squeeze.”- Brent Musburger talking about Erin Andrews’ hug from Bruce Pearl.
“Right up your backside, when you look that up in the dictionary, you see the North Carolina transition game.”- Jimmy Dykes
“You have no chance at getting a rebound unless you make it.”- Billy Packer
Video of the Weekend:
Tiger Woods caps an amazing comeback at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with this birdie putt to break a tie on the 18th hole:

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