Prepare the Mute Button: Dickie V Calling Michigan / UNC
November 27th, 2018 at 11:44 AM ^
I have never minded Vitale.
He gushes over Izzo too much but so does everybody.
November 27th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^
At this point I see him as being the same as Lee Corso... They are both too old that they can barely put together a coherent sentence, but people still enjoy them for the association with the past.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
I prefer the Michigan radio gamecall with Mills
November 27th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
Vitale on the call means you're playing in a big game. For that reason alone, I'm happy when he's on the call. I'll have the game muted anyway because I don't want to hear their opinions on the football game.
November 27th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
IIRC, on Vitale’s last broadcast he gushed over Coach B and said how needs to be in the next class for the college basketball hall of fame. I’ve never minded him and his enthusiasm for his job and what he loves is very lacking among so many people nowadays. It’s refreshing.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^
I get this argument, and it's why I love the Bill Rafterys and Gus Johnsons of the world. But -- and maybe I'm being too cynical here -- it just seems like an (increasingly threadbare) act from Vitale. I've caught a couple of his broadcasts this year, and it really just seemed like he was turning up the Dickie V Enthusiasm Dial, with no actual emotional energy behind it. For me, he doesn't add anything to the actual excitement of the game, he doesn't add anything from a commentary perspective, and he's really just there to be recognized as Dickie V.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:58 PM ^
I would take Johnson and Raftery over Vitale in a second, and there definitely are times where he maybe over does it, but I get sick of the Bilas monotone “I played at duke so I know way more than you do and I will not stop talking thee entire 40 minutes”. If the game is on ESPN I generally want Vitale doing the game, that’s all I guess. I appreciate his long tenure and never losing his enthusiasm for something he truly loves.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^
oh, man...gus johnson. don't get me wrong, i understand the allure, but boy - sometimes i wonder if he thought he needed a schtick to get famous and decided on "shout all the time no matter what just in case something happens."
November 27th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
At least it’s better than Bilas give everybody a lecture in some NCAA rule for 2 hours.
November 27th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
Bilas probably on Duke Indiana tonight, I'd guess.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
The guy I like best is Clark Kellogg. May have gone to OSU, but just so thoughtful and lacking in BS.
November 27th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^
Yeah, I thought Bilas had promise but he is terrible. He talks way too much, and not nearly loud enough. It is a constant stream of too much information said in an indiscernible voice.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:30 PM ^
I don't mind Bilas or Dickie V or Dakich. They have genuine passion for College hoops. I actually learn things about the game when Bilas and Dakich are on the mic.
The only commentators that I mute are the MNF gang.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:00 PM ^
Booger McFarland just gives me an awkward feeling when he tries to jam in his thoughts between plays.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
I guess I'm alone in my loathing for Bill Raftery, with his annoying little catch-phrases and affected Jersey Guy Tawk. I find him intensely annoying.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:43 PM ^
wait, you're saying that a lawyer that played for "teacher / coach" sheshevski is sanctimonious and lecture-ey? no way!
November 27th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
I anticipate multiple references about Michigan diaper dandies doing the Motown Mash after a big win tomorrow night. Never had a problem with Dick Vitale.
IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME, BABY!!!!
November 27th, 2018 at 11:50 AM ^
How is Vitale's voice these days? I know he's gone through some health issues, but he sounded really hoarse the last time I remember hearing him.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:01 PM ^
Better. For about two seasons it was literally painful to listen to him. His voice is a little lower but it is no longer that dry scratchy hoarse version. That has been better for a while. His voice was pretty much fine all the way back to 2014 Michigan v. MSU. (Stauskus - "Uh Oh, Uh Oh Uh Oh).
November 27th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
I don't give a shit what anyone says, I like Dickie V. He's a college basketball fan announcing basketball, not some asshole running a talk show during a basketball game like most announcers.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:05 PM ^
I've always liked Dickie V. He lives in my area and I see him out here and there on occasion. His license plate is "T.O. Baby". I know some don't like his schtick, but he really is a great human being.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't he specifically called out a while ago for turning a blind eye to the dirty things going on in CBB? (not to say others aren't guikty of this also, but I remember hearing his name more than others - not sure where that was though)
November 27th, 2018 at 1:45 PM ^
-1 for "turned a blind eye."
November 27th, 2018 at 2:18 PM ^
I don't recall that he was mentioned in that. Even if he was, it pales in comparison to what he does for sick kids in raising millions and millions of dollars for them. The genuineness and passion he puts forth for that cause is remarkable.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
Happy Birthday to me...ugh
November 27th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
Dickie V is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:37 PM ^
Maybe he should just do that then.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
O/U on the number of times he says "baby"?
November 27th, 2018 at 12:31 PM ^
Although I find Vitale's biases more than a little irritating sometimes, they do at least put him on the games that should get decent viewership as this one should, so that I don't mind. He's a fixture of the game almost when it comes to broadcasting, kind of like how many of us sit there and chuckle occasionally at Corso while at the same time not taking it that seriously.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
I think the analogy to Corso is good, but Corso's in a much more appropriate role. We can sit back and chuckle at Corso because he's not grabbing at our attention with vaguely senescent antics throughout the game itself. If Dickie V were hamming it up in a pregame/halftime show, I wouldn't mind him.
November 27th, 2018 at 6:22 PM ^
They're both buffoons and well past their expiration date.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
The guy I'll miss this year, oddly enough, is Tom Crean. Dude did some really good analyzing work last year. Explained concepts well and didn't talk too much. Too bad someone (Georgia) chose mediocrity and pulled him out of the booth...
November 27th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
Tom Crean was amazing -- honestly the best analyst I can remember.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
Dan Schulman is a very solid play by play guy. Dickie V became a caricature of himself quite a few years ago. No animosity towards him, but I prefer small doses at this point. His first 10-15 years he was really outstanding though.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:13 PM ^
Awesome, baby!
November 27th, 2018 at 4:41 PM ^
So glad I work early as hell and can't watch. Fuck Vitale. Dude needs to retire.
November 27th, 2018 at 6:20 PM ^
Thanks for the heads up. Unlistenable!
November 27th, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^
I just hate listening to Dickie V calling ACC games. He is basically the home announcer when it comes to the ACC and that is about all hell talk about. Though I bet it wont take more than 10 minutes of game time for him to tell us John Beilein has never been an assistant coach!
November 27th, 2018 at 11:39 PM ^
Vitale is funny now, as in so bad he's good.
November 28th, 2018 at 6:21 PM ^
I love Dickie V.
There I said it.
At the end of the day, sports are entertainment.