Sunday, February 06, 2000
SPORTS ON TV RADIO
Al, Billy and Dick have happy reunion
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
If Mary and Rhoda can get back together, why not reunite Billy and Al?
CBS teamed Dick Enberg with his old NBC partners, Al McGuire and Billy Packer, to call the Michigan State-Connecticut men's basketball game Saturday.
It was their first game together since 1981.
The three have changed a lot more than their blazers. Packer has become the top analyst for CBS, a fixture at the Final Four. McGuire has worked for CBS, too, but in a much lesser role.
Sitcom reunions usually don't work, and Packer and McGuire were always like the Oscar and Felix of college basketball. Their whole act was playing off one another. Packer was the X's-and-O's man. McGuire called the game off the top of his head. They often disagreed.
They stuck pretty much to that formula Saturday, and it worked.
The networks are big on using big-name, veteran announcers over up-and-comers. That's not always the best strategy, but the Dick, Billy and Al team is an upgrade over CBS' No.1 team of Packer and Jim Nantz, particularly for a game such as UConn-Michigan State. The light touch was perfect for a blowout. Nantz has the great voice and delivery, but he's not the kind of guy you want speaking at your banquet. He and Packer call a solid game, but they don't get a lot of laughs.
Put McGuire in there, and you're going to get some chuckles. He brings out the best in Packer.
After UConn fell behind 29 at halftime, Enberg asked McGuire what he would have told his Marquette team in a similar situation.
“I would have told them if they can get down 29 at half,” McGuire said, “they can get up by 29. I'd tell them to play for pride.”
Packer chuckled and replied: “Dick, why do you keep asking those questions when he's going to lie? He would have been on his motorcycle on his way home. Hank Reynolds would have finished coaching the game.”
Packer talked about former Michigan State coach Judd Heathcote's record. McGuire talked about Heathcote's combing his hair forward instead of back.
McGuire picked Arizona, Michigan State, Ohio State and Syracuse to make the Final Four. Packer's pick: “None of the above.”
“It's lucky we had a two-minute break so he could write down four teams,” Packer said.
“You'd pick four ACC teams,” McGuire said.
Packer later asked McGuire how he could not pick UC as a Final Four team.
“They're above it,” McGuire said. “The only reason why I didn't pick them is I didn't want to jinx them.”
Just like old times.
MEMO TO REDS: The Reds have to give Joe Nuxhall the day off to be at Cooperstown on July 23 when his little buddy, Marty Brennaman, gets inducted into the Hall of Fame.
TV play-by-play man George Grande also will be in Cooperstown, creating a bit of an announcer shortage, but the Reds could have Paul Keels and Tracy Jones do the radio and Dan Hoard and Chris Welsh do the TV.
Sports Stories
Griffey payoff is in the Cards
Williamson hopes against trade
MLB investigating threat against Griffey
Marty gives it straight
UC 93, Alabama-Birmingham 80
Logan stars as reserve
Charlotte needs to control fans
George Washington 78, Xavier 67
Dislocated finger hampers Price
Five questions with Skip Prosser
Xavier women on roll
