First of all, I want to thank everyone for their emails, phone calls, faxes and telegrams, asking if I was still alive over the past few months. The answer is yes, and I'm also very well rested. The truth of the matter is two-fold, and while I won't bore you with the details, I will tell you it was a combination of "being burnt out" and "trying something...

This year's Butler vs. Duke National Title Game was one of the NCAA's highest watched championship games ever and will be one of the most watched sporting events this year reaching nearly 50 million viewers in the US.For play by play announcer, Jim Nantz, it was just another bullet point in an illustrious 20 year career leading NCAA Tournament coverage for CBS. But for Clark...

The man was butchered. At least get your money back, bro. Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode "The Barber." And since Reali asked, I'd say my "level of concern" is high to quite high.

Admit it, you may not love the Jets, but you’re loving this season of Hard Knocks.The locker room access. Rex Ryan’s awful eating habits and worse language. Antonio Cromartie’s gaggle of kids. Darrelle Revis. HBO could put out an hour episode a day and still not cover everything surrounding this team. They’ve got more storylines than a mid-day soap opera.Now three episodes...

Actually, they didn't talk about Jay Mariotti's arrest or its consequences, but rather the media hoopla surrounding it. The transcript can be found here. My opinion is probably mostly in line with Richard Deitsch, who commends ATH for tackling the issue, but, next to ignoring it altogether, definitely did so in the safest way possible.Shoddy video of the segment below:

A little over four years ago, Brian Powell started Awful Announcing because NBA broadcaster Hubie Brown somehow let "wideopenshotability" escape from his mouth on-air. It wasn't just another spontaneous sports blog destined to fail, though. Powell had a vision for the site and built it up into one of the most well-known sports blogs on the 'net, focusing on everything...

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLWeek 1 (September 9th) - Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (NBC, 8:30pm)Week 10 (November 11th)- Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons (NFL-N, 8:20pm)Week 11 (November 18th)- Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins (NFL-N, 8:20pm)Week 12 (Thanksgiving Day)- New England Patriots at Detroit Lions (CBS, 12:30pm)New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys (FOX, 4:15pm)Cincinnati...

EASTERN CONFERENCE#1 Washington Capital vs. #8 Montreal CanadiensThursday, April 15th - Game One, Montreal at Washington (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)Saturday, April 17th - Game Two, Montreal at Washington (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)Monday, April 19th - Game Three, Washington at Montreal (TSN, 7pm)Wednesday, April 21st - Game Four, Washington at Montreal (TSN, 7pm)*Friday, April 23rd - Game Five, Montreal...

It was a long season, but ended perfectly with a close defensive contest, that was won by Duke by about a millimeter. It was a battle that should have led to two trophies given out, but alas....that's not the way it works. As a good friend put it, "Two clean programs. No one-and-done players...just true student athletes. Every possession was tough and it all came down to the end...

ESPN seems to be shuffling people in and out on a daily basis these days, and the latest to leave is College Basketball analyst, Steve Lavin. Lavin has decided to take on the challenge that is St. John's Redman Red Storm, and will be their head coach next season. Via the Associated Press....Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin has agreed to become the basketball coach at St. John...

Saturday, March 20th#2 Villanova-#10 St. Mary’s (1:05pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery#5 Butler-#13 Murray State (3:20pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel#6 Tennessee-#14 Ohio (3:35pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery#1 Kansas-#9 Northern Iowa (5:40pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner#3 Baylor-#11 Old Dominion (5:45pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas#3 New Mexico-#11 Washington (5:50pm)- Spero Dedes,...

Temperatures are warming up, the day is longer, and that can only mean one thing. That the Madness is upon us! Here is your announcing assignments, and schedule for the first round. Enjoy the tournament, and be sure to check back here for videos from time to time.New Orleans, LA: Dick Enberg, Jay BilasProvidence, RI: Verne Lundquist, Bill RafteryOklahoma City, OK: Kevin Harlan...

It's getting close to Tournament time, and I wanted to pass along the CBS broadcaster pairings for March Madness®. The set of games tip-off at noon on Thursday, March 18 and concludes on Monday, and will end on April 5 with the National Championship game in Indianapolis. All the teams are the same as last year, with the exception of the addition of Spero Dedes.Studio: Greg...

Below are your commentator pairings and schedule for the conference championships this week. The teams calling the championship game are listed first, and the names in parenthesis are the pairings for the early rounds.ACC - Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale, Erin Andrew (Mike Patrick, Len Elmore)Big East - Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery (Dave Pasch, Fran Fraschilla, Doris Burke...

I really didn't think that ESPN would tab a replacement for Steve Phillips, following his firing this offseason, but alas....I was wrong. Orel Hershiser will be joining Jon Miller and Joe Morgan this season for Sunday Night Baseball. Via ESPN PR....Jon Miller, the recently announced winner of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2010 Ford C. Frick Award, and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan...

For some reason, I just knew this would happen. A long time ago Erin Andrews was asked if she would take a spin on Dancing With The Stars, and she didn't rule it out. Well now she's actually set to appear in the latest edition of the popular ABC show, and she'll be joined by the craziest group of "stars" that have ever been assembled. Here are your 11 competitors...

Here is your College Basketball Announcing Schedule, brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week. This week's lady is Virginia from Duke (above the "SKI"). Virginia loves Country music, and not only does she not DVR shows because she's too busy studying, but she lists her last meal as a giant cinnamon roll! Ready? OKAY!!!(As always, thanks to the commenters...

A few days ago, Scott Van Pelt got prank called by a Howard Stern staple Captain Janks, but apparently that was just the start to his week. Late last night, the Sports Center anchor added to his woes by dropping an F-bomb when he thought his mic was off.... Those apologies always seem so awkward to me. I understand they have to be done, but it's f**king...

It seems like just yesterday that ESPN was airing only archery, pool, and various lumberjack events. They've also been grabbing up every tv deal available these days, so heck....why not bring some Beach Volleyball into the fray!?ESPN has signed a two-year deal with the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), and will begin airing events this April. Via ESPN PR....Today...

Captain Janks has been making prank calls for the Howard Stern show for years, and late last night he got Sports Center and more specifically Scott Van Pelt....Wow. Someone is getting fired over that one.Video: Howard Stern Show Prank Calls ESPN SportsCenter as Brian Westbrook (BSO)

Another day....another ESPN hire. This time it's the bane of Red Sox fans everywhere, Aaron Boone. Boone officially retired today, and immediately following that announcement, signed with ESPN. Via the "Leader"....Aaron Boone today formally announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after a 12-year career and his new role as an ESPN baseball analyst. Boone...

There's still no word on a replacement for Chip Caray, but that's not stopping TBS from releasing their early season MLB schedule. Per usual, you get a lot of AL East and NL Central with a little NL East added here and there. All games are on Sunday and EST....April 11th - NY Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (1:30pm)April 18th - Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox (1:30pm)April 25th...

You Been Blinded came across this very odd exchange on First Take yesterday, and I had to share this afternoon. Yesterday, Dana Jacobson and Jay Crawford were joking with Barry Melrose (who was off set) about what he uses to keep his "middle age good looks", and....well....just watch....He did say "chicken SHIP" (not S**T), but still....a little odd right? I thought...

Here is your College Basketball Announcing Schedule, brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week. Amy (second from right....I think?) is a Senior double major from the University of Texas, and her bucket list includes: competing in a triathalon, raising a family, and traveling/volunteering as a doctor. Ready? OKAY!(As always, thanks to the commenters from The 506 for their...

Tuesday, February 16thNBA FAN NIGHT: Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies (NBATV, 8pm)- Local AnnouncersWednesday, February 17thPhoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks (ESPN, 9pm)- Mike Tirico, Mark Jackson, Jon BarryThursday, February 18thDenver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers (TNT, 8pm)- Marv Albert, Mike Fratello, Reggie Miller, Craig SagerBoston Celtics at LA Lakers (TNT, 10:30pm)- Kevin...