El Fuego

March 2nd, 2012 at 2:58 AM ^

I think networks need to have color commentators representing both teams more often in games.  It's a lot of fun to hear both points of view.

snoopblue

March 2nd, 2012 at 3:03 AM ^

Jalen was funny, and yea pretty bad. He is good in the studio, though - and with some more games I'm sure he'd be just fine as a color analyst if they chose to use him in that way.

I've heard rumors that he could potentially have a local show on the new ESPN Radio affiliate in Detroit, 1090AM.

And if sparty wants to rip on him for calling it Illi-noise - whatever. It technically isn't even Illi-noy. The -ois came from the French, and is pronounced -wah. The -wah was meant to spell the -we in illini-wek which was the tribe in the region. The k at the end makes it plural.

BOOM 

Jon06

March 2nd, 2012 at 3:18 AM ^

i had the sound low so it seems like i missed a lot, but i liked the "business decision" thing. it seems like the sort of thing players would normally say/admit to each other in the locker room but not in public.

what was the wilbon thing about?

PhillipFulmersPants

March 2nd, 2012 at 6:43 AM ^

He was talking about Northwestern possibly making the tourney for the first time ever. Wilbon is a grad. The rolling over in his grave was a bit of an odd choice but you could tell what Jalen meant was something like "die from happiness." at least that's how I took it.

indoorfin

March 2nd, 2012 at 4:30 AM ^

I don't know why many disliked Jalen.  He just popped his cherry...I say let him get his feet wet and lets see what becomes of this.  I like the energy...I found it highly entertaining and refreshing.  He provides great insight and actually got me even more amped up.  I loved how he was hyping Burke and Hardaway and Michigan bball.  His love for the game and Michigan is unquestionable.  C'mon man.....Jalen is a bad mf'er.  (Maybe THJ will have another double-double next time he provides the "color commentary.")

Wave83

March 2nd, 2012 at 6:48 AM ^

I loved Jalen.  For all those complaining about him, have you been listening to the other clowns that ESPN and BTN have been torturing us with all season?  While he was an unabashed UM fan, Jalen was paired with an Illinois guy, so I think the plan was that that aspect of favoritism was permitted as long as it was balanced.  I have to say that Jalen went out of his way to compliment or criticize both teams throughout the game.

Jalen brought life to the broadcast.  That is what color commentators are supposed to do.  While very different from Jalen, Al McGuire also used to bring in all of his exuberance to the games and he was a joy to listen to.  Yet, there were many people who complained that he wasn't "professional" enough.  I am all for ignoring those people.

NateVolk

March 2nd, 2012 at 7:51 AM ^

The McGuire comparison is spot on. There hasn't been anyone like him since he had sto step down because of illness. 

Last night Jalen brought the combo insight of pick up legend, college star, very good pro, and the common sense smarts of a hustler (in the grinding focused sense of the word).  Guy knows the game on a totally different level that is refreshing.

 Polishing him up to be like everyone else would threaten to weight him down worrying about  what to say next. They let Madden run free in the early days, paired him with a straight lace laconic play by play guy, and you had magic.

Right now college basketball ratings are so low, they need to bring more unconventional guys in to make it more of an event.

jmblue

March 2nd, 2012 at 7:17 AM ^

I enjoyed him.  There were a couple of cringe-worthy bits, but it's not an easy job.  The play-by-play guy just says what's going on, but the color guy has fill in the dead time.  And the second color guy (which I think Jalen was) often has to play the "storyteller" role.

Matt23

March 2nd, 2012 at 7:36 AM ^

Jalen was a little rough around the edges, but wow was it a lot of fun.  I haven't heard of anybody getting "the gasface" since 1990!  A 3rd bass reference completely out of nowhere.  Would enjoy seeing Jalen get another go.

Bombadil

March 2nd, 2012 at 7:37 AM ^

I hope he gets a show on 1090 AM and gets more games, he just sounds real.

Sparty is envious of all the Michigan folk at ESPN: Desmond Howard, Jalen Rose, Adam Schefter, Dana Jacobson, and Dhani Jones.

 

 

dothepose

March 2nd, 2012 at 7:43 AM ^

I thought Jalen did great. I can understand if people thought he was terrible but as a Michigan fan it is usually hard for me to take off my maize and blue glasses. I thought he was entertaining, brought lots of great insight and for being a huge homer was fair in his assessment of both teams. He kept yelling for them to give Leonard the ball which it got quite hilarious at one point. I probably would cringe if he did alot of games, but once in a while for a game like this it was fun to watch.

Smash Lampjaw

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:07 AM ^

I loved the friendly back-and-forth between Jalen and Bardo. I wonder if Jalen ever hopes to coach. I get that he has hit some speedbumps, but I think he has a lot to contribute.

Tater

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:08 AM ^

When an announcer speaks ebonically and uses mainstream ebonic cultural references, he is perceived to "lack polish."  When a white announcer speaks casually and uses mainstream white cultural references, he is seen as "unpretentious" and "refreshing."

It's an extension of the "black thug" vs "gritty white player" stereotypes.  Sadly, I don't see an end coming anytime soon.

 

michiganfanforlife

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:45 AM ^

I thought Jalen was fun to listen to, and he wasn't just rooting for UM.  The part about getting the crowd into the game was really interesting. I've never heard a commentator suggest a player slap the court or wave his hands in the air. Jalen was right, they needed to wake up that crowd that was "sinking into their seats." The only time I thought Jalen mis-stepped was when he took over play by play for a second.

I really think that for his first game, this was amazing. He is instantly better than 90% of the schmucks out there. Anybody rather hear Dicky V? Come on, there really isn't anyone with personality during these games. I hope he gets some games for March Madness this year.

juager

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:50 AM ^

I thought he did a faily good job. I assumed the Michigan and Illinois announcers were meant to provide different points of view. My favorite quote:

"Leaving the Illini looking like fools with their pants on the ground" - Jalen Rose

Jalen did make a good statement about Beilein. said something in the way of "he makes good leaders, good men, good fathers and great ball players"

 

Herd of Funk

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^

Business Decision. That was a nice line and even Bardo wants to repurpose that for future use.

Jalen is what he is - rough around the edges, but it's what angers some people and endears him to others. I'm on the latter. I thought he did a fine job and that he and Bardo played off each other fairly well. I love the banter around the old UM and Illini teams. Those were two of the most talented teams ever for these two schools. 

To be even more succinct, I'll take them every day of the week and six times on Sunday over Jay Bilas. 

Ziff72

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^

I can't believe what I am reading.   Jalen was insightful and funny as hell.    This post feels like it has a lot of get off my lawn types so far.   He is not a polished color guy, but he was truthful and funny.  What do you want from your color guy more than that?   Some of you guys need to relax a touch.

"I'd have a talk with the coach"- After Hardaway got subbed for after 7 straight points.  Playing up th arrogance for effect.  It was classic.

They pounded Ill and Leonard for not being more aggressive and not going inside.  They were dead on and funny about it.

The Wilbon rolling around in his grave was being silly.  It was either a classic misuse of a phrase or intentionally wrong to pile on Wilbon who he knows well from the NBA coverage....either way it was funny.

He was right on when he said Ill played with no passion.   They were like 5 aimless zombies wandering around the court.  They are not a team and that is why they have tanked.  

 

 

 

 

seksdesk

March 2nd, 2012 at 9:09 AM ^

J Rose (my daughter's name - Julia Rose) was great. Many witty remarks with a very solid understanding of the game and the history between both programs.

The "I just scored 7 points in a row and you're taking me out of the game" comment and the "business decision" comment near the end of the game - when Douglass (I believe) attempted to take a charge - was awesome and even Bardo asked to "co-op" it.

But, alas, I am very biased. 

bacon1431

March 2nd, 2012 at 9:25 AM ^

He's better than Dick Vitale. I would like to see him do more college games, and I thought having him and Bardo do the game last night was a great idea by ESPN.

JeffDC

March 2nd, 2012 at 9:45 AM ^

I think they only do it for games already played, but they get a fan of each team to do a running commentary on the game.  I think its a brilliant concept if you get the right people, though between the idioms and insider knowledge, pretty much everything went over my head the one time I tried to watch it.  Still, I would love to see ESPN try this more with former players of each team, and tell them to go ahead and be as biased, funny, and irreverant as they want.

uofmmarcum

March 2nd, 2012 at 9:59 AM ^

Jalen is the man!  I found the entire broadcast to be entertaining.  It kind of reminded me of a few broadcasts that they used to do in the premier league.  They would let a fan of each team call the game and hilarity always ensued.  I don't think they ever did live broadcasts of this, but would replay it later on.  I'm not sure what they called it but it was always great to see 2 fans just ragging on each other for 90 minutes.  

UofM Die Hard …

March 2nd, 2012 at 10:50 AM ^

talking about how Michigan is under the radar I was like, FINALLY someone said it.  

Michigan is way under the radar and teams wont want to play us in the tourney...we will get ya.

Lac55

March 2nd, 2012 at 11:04 AM ^

I got nothing but love for J. Rose. There were some moments that had you like "What did he just say?", but it was refreshing and new. I'm all for that and hope Jalen keeps getting opportunites to continue. Man, I'd love him on BTN. Now those commentators are just brutal.

fritZ

March 2nd, 2012 at 11:17 AM ^

Overall, I think Jalen has some work to do on the mic.  However, I did like that he is one of the few announcers who routinely refers to us as Wolverines.  Too many times we only get "Blue" or "Michigan" or the bang-your-head-against-a-wall "Big Blue."  So, for that, I think Jalen's starting off on the right foot.  He's no Pam Ward.

MichiganMan_24_

March 2nd, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^

The "Missagan" guy hates UM..i think Jalen was rubbing it in his face at the end..Jalen started singing about victory at the end almost made me spit my pop out was laughing so hard.

DeadMan

March 2nd, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^

I thought he was awesome. The singing and the great lines about Wilbon and pants on the ground had me rolling the entire time. He was also pretty insightful, too. Interesting points about the charges, talking about where Leonard was playing, etc. I would love to see him as a color commentator (why does it have to be COLOR commentary? ;) ) more often.

M-Dog

March 2nd, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^

People miss the point . . . Jalen is funny as hell.  

His comments are not pre-canned and polished.  They're insightful off the cuff observations with an edge.  Douglas not standing in and getting dunked on was a "Business Decision".  That was classic Jalen.

QVIST

March 2nd, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^

I like Jalen but do not like him when he fills in on ESPN Radio or calling games. He somehow makes it sounds like he's reading when he's speaking. Likable guy otherwise.

Srock

March 2nd, 2012 at 1:47 PM ^

Overall, I thought J-Rose did a fine job with the role last night. I enjoyed his insight, and I thought he and Bardo were good with each other. Bardo seems "older" and more polished, but I thought their name dropping players for each other's schools was nice. Overall I thought they did well together. 

Can you imagine Mike Hart and Maurice Clarrett doing a UM / OSU football game togehter? No, I don't think that would work.

Go Blue!

chewieblue

March 2nd, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^

I usually practice the, "every Michigan alum is good at everything they do" theory but Jalen is about as bad as a color commentator can be and still have a job. His analysis was highlighted by explaining that Illinois was going to lose if they didn't. get the crowd into it.

Love the guy, but sometimes bad is bad.

BJNavarre

March 2nd, 2012 at 2:15 PM ^

Jalen was great. Sure, he was a homer, but look at all the great lines already mentioned in this thread. How many other commentators provide that kind of entertainment? Not many. I'm sure he'll being working more games in the future.