| Every year around this time I ask myself the same | | | | too much respect from the selection committee as |
| question - why is Billy Packer the lead analyst for | | | | mid-majors. Each went on to prove Packer wrong in |
| CBS's coverage of March Madness? While Packer is | | | | the tournament, yet Packer will not publicly admit to |
| working the game for the TV audience, Bill Raftery is | | | | it or apologize for his comments. |
| calling the game for the much smaller radio audience | | | | In direct contrast, the fun-loving Raftery is best |
| with more passion, knowledge, and love for the | | | | known for catch phrases such as "[team] is going |
| game than Packer. | | | | MAN to MAN", "Send it in, Jerome", "With the kiss", |
| Raftery and Verne Lundquist are CBS's second pair | | | | and my personal favorite, "Onions!" Raftery is also |
| to Packer and Jim Nantz, who have been number | | | | extremely intelligent when it comes to his basketball |
| one for the past 15 years. Packer seems to be hated | | | | IQ. From 1970 to 1982, Raftery was the head coach |
| by more fans than he is loved, mostly for his intense | | | | of Seton Hall University where to he led them to |
| ACC bias (particularly towards his Alma matter Wake | | | | four ECAC post-season tournaments and two NIT |
| Forest), his refusal to accept mid-major conferences | | | | appearances |
| as worthy competition for power conferences, and | | | | What are you waiting for CBS? Pull the plug on |
| his inability to admit when he is wrong. Raftery, on | | | | Packer and give the fans what they want - a more |
| the other hand, is revered for his enthusiastic and | | | | knowledgeable, more fun, and less bitter analyst! |
| animated commentary that displays his love for the | | | | Disagree? Make your opinion heard! Rate and review |
| game. | | | | sports announcers at |
| Packer has repeatedly insulted others with his | | | | Adam McFarland owns the Network - a network of |
| unwarranted criticism. In 1996 Packer described the | | | | sports sites including collectibles, movies, books, video |
| Georgetown Hoyas star guard Allen Iverson as a | | | | games, and more. |
| "tough monkey". He also questioned Larry Bird's | | | | recently won honorable mention in the Microsoft |
| Indiana State team, Jameer Nelson's St. Joseph's | | | | Start Something Amazing Awards and was featured |
| team, and this year's George Mason team for getting | | | | in the February 2006 issue of Tuff Stuff Magazine. |