Musburger’s extensive knowledge of the Big Ten is no doubt one of the reasons his color man, Bob Knight, seems comfortable working with him. “The General,” 69, left the coaching bench in 2008 but he performs like he’s been working games at the broadcast table his whole life.
Knight explains both basketball subtleties and strategies more effectively than perhaps any color man today. The guy knows what he’s talking about and how to impart that information to listeners in ways they can understand. The result is a much more informative and enjoyable broadcast.
What distinguishes Knight too is that he tells the truth. Too many coaches turned broadcasters practice political correctness better than they do reporting. And to the dismay of critics, Knight hasn’t dropped any f-bombs on the air.
Way back when Knight was winning championships at Indiana, Bill Raftery was doing color commentary on national broadcasts. He seems like the same Raf to me now as he was then. Gushing too much about too little, and offering that cliché about a shot that sends me scrambling for the mute button: “A kiss off the glass.”
No list of color guys is complete without Dick Vitale. Vitale, 70, is the Jack LaLanne of college hoops. Vitale is an energized, fun loving, wordsmithing, non-stop pitch man for the collegiate game. He’s multi-generational, welcome at a frat party or a nursing home. Love Dickie V, or hate him, we all know of him.
Some folks think the fastest rising profile in college basketball broadcasting belongs to Gus Johnson. He’s smooth, articulate, prepared and passionate about the game.
What grabs me, too, is the guy looks like Mike Jordan’s pal, Mars Blackmon. Check out Gus on camera and see that face covered by big glasses. Looks like Mars to me. Ya think?