UPDATE: The Charlotte Observer is reporting that Packer is done broadcasting college basketball. Packer released a statement in conjunction with CBS’ confirmation of their decision not to bring him back saying “In the history of nationally televised basketball, I’ve done probably 90 percent of the great games, so I don’t want to be going to do games of a different status, so I have no interest in that…”
Hard to argue the point. If he is slated to do only ACC games how many great games can he expect? Duke-UNC once a year? The ACC Tournament? I would imagine it is difficult to go about the regular season schedule knowing you are done after the conference season concludes.
So farewell Billy. I would say it has been fun or something like that but it really hasn’t.
–
According to the Miami Herald, CBS is set to announce that Billy Packer aka [UNNAMED ANALYST] here at THF has called his last college basketball game on CBS. Somewhere I have to think Tyler Hansbrough is laughing.
College basketball commentator Billy Packer, who has announced 34 consecutive Final Fours on network television and created a few controversies along the way, will not be returning to CBS for a 28th season, The Miami Herald has learned.
CBS has decided to replace Packer, 68, with studio analyst Clark Kellogg on its lead announcing team.
An announcement is expected Monday, but CBS representative Leslie Anne Wade confirmed the story Sunday night.
CBS believed the time was right for a change and that Kellogg deserved a chance to work with Jim Nantz on the lead team.
Clark Kellog? Really? I am sure that will be better in terms of the whole not having a curmudgeonly and bitter old man calling the game but sticking Kellog in there because you think he deserves a shot sounds like one of those promoting from within the family deals that never work out.
Of course what does this mean for Packer going forward? Since he has been freed of his CBS obligations which had him doing some regular season games and the NCAA Tournament is it possible he will be doing more regional ACC games now? Or even worse than that: Would ESPN/ABC give him a slot and reunite him with Brent Musberger? Nothing would shock me, but having to listen to Musberger-Packer might be more than I can handle.
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I rarely listen to the TV audio (would rather have Woody’s play by play) but I remember years ago listening to that bitter little man.
Get lost Billy.
The fact they moved Kellogg up means to me they were: 1) In a hurry to get rid of Packer and 2) Figured no one would be critical of Kellogg for fear of charges of racism.
BTW, Jim Nantz is great.
I never understood why Packer was so angry during his broadcasts. I thought basketball was supposed to be fun.
I bought a copy of the 2005 championship DVD, but Packer basically ruins it for me.
They are tossing Kellog a bone. I think a lot folks would have loved to have seen Jay Bilas get the spot but there is no way CBS is handing the keys to the Final Four to an ESPN guy who moonlights with them during the first four rounds of the tournament. Honestly I do not recall Kellog being one way or the other. Could be worse, they could have given Seth Davis a shot at it.
I think the problem with Packer was that he mistook analysis to mean criticism.
I just hope ESPN gives the lead spot to Bilas in the near future. Vitale, in my opinion is worst than Packer. At least Packer actually gave analysis at some point during the game.
This man could ruin a perfectly good basketball game for most UNC fans. The great part was that UNC usually won the games and you could hear the resentment in his voice after they won. Kellog, I’m not sure what to expect from him, he might be OK…………time will tell.
Maybe Billy Butt-Packer will just decide to fade away and save college bball fans from hearing his crap. I can’t think of anyone worse to listen to, even Vitale. Granted, after a few minutes of Vitale I have to take some BC powder for my headache, but at least he seems like a genuinely nice guy. You have to admit that he loves the game and the players (even if he is annoying), which is a lot more than I can say about Billy.
This brings to mind one of my favorite memories of the 2005 National Championship. A few days after, I made the trip to Chapel Hill for some merchandise. Peppers had a sign in their window that said it all. Written on a chalkboard, hanging for all to see, were 3 simple words:
“Eat it, Packer.”
All I can say is, 1993 national championship game. Dean put in the subs (to rest the starters) and Billy Packer essentially insults Dean Smith, arguably the greatest college basketball coach ever, on national television. Then, the subs keep the Michigan starters in check, and Lynch & Co. come back in and take us to the promise land. Poor Billy.
I can think of one person who would be worse and he has already been named: Seth Davis. The biggest WTF EVER for me was seeing this guy on CBS for the first time and then hearing Grumble Gumble say, “and THAT coming from a Duke guy.” Does anyone know when Seth Davis’ tenure is up with CBS? If anything, that guy would be perfect for FSN.
I’m okay with Kellog, and not because I live in Big Ten country and just about everyone interested in college hoops around here loves him. Rather, I would rather hear the perspective of a guy who has played, either at the colleg level or pro, in the past 25 years, than an old, cynical troll. Seriously though, Seth Davis needs to go.
I’m really glad Seth Davis isn’t getting moved up. He’s a pile.
I’m a big Clark Kellogg fan, as he introduced me to the term “spurtability” in the early ’90s, which so aptly described so many UNC teams over the years. You’re holding close to the Heels for a half and then they show their ’spurtability’ and you’re suddenly down 25 after 4 minutes.
I hate Kellogg almost as much as Packer. At least packer had an opinion albeit a I hate Carolina one. Kellogg has no opinion. He’s one of those winning homer guys, talking about how wonderful a team is until the opponent takes over in score then they were the sliced bread he always thought they were. BOOO on the choice of Kellogg.
wow–the guy was certainly a lightning rod. I agree with YJGH–the guy knows the game, he just seemed obsessively compelled to insert criticism, and he would repeat observations repetitively to make sure peeps knew his geenius. Kellog sux imo–I would’ve preferred Bilas also.
Dean, I was thinking the same thing about the 93 game. Of course we all remember the “This game is OVAH” from this year’s Kansas game. I was hoping beyond hope that we could come back and shove that back in his face.
Maybe Packer will confess on his deathbed his true hatred of all things Tar Heel.
I am a Woody guy, myself. But that may just have made it that much worse when I occasionally got caught out of the house during the game and had to listen to Packer. Adios, Billy.
I have no opinion about Kellogg. He’s “meh” to me. I don’t really need them to tell me anything except what can’t be observed from the TV image. I’ll do the analysis myself, thanks.
HeelYeah, I agree with you on the Vitale thing. When I listen to him, it really makes me laugh. I don’t pay attention to commentators to elaborate on the game for me that much. I mean, I see what I see. I do enjoy the color aspect of what they do. I will not miss Packer, although it is an end to that era that I am a part of. Kinda makes me feel like I am getting old. Vitale to me is someone comical to bring color to the art of commentating. I enjoy him, in a funny since. I, like most, do not listed to him to get real analysis. I will turn to Woody for that. I am not sure who will be fit for the job. Kellog, Nantz maybe. I can tolerate Bilas and Hubert Davis. Len Elmore not so much.
Clark Kellogg will not adorn his new position. CBS should have inserted Bill Raftery.
a. It’s about time.
b. Curmudgeon indeed.
c. Thank God (or whatever entity/entities you pray to) that it was not Seth Davis.
But will Kellogg inform me on every single offensive rebound how no one blocked out – even after a line-drive 27-footer that had to be chased down in the parking lot? I’m only 57 and have never had time to learn these things
Trashfish73-
Kellog will probably hit upon the offensive rebounding, but he will (hopefully) not get all Joe Morgan about it and put everyone down in the process. As long as Jim Nantz is still there, all is well. I do think that Bilas would have been better…or hell, get Brad Daugherty back in the mix!
I hate to see Brad Daugherty has been relegated to Nascar.
JULY 14, 2008…the GREATEST day in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference.