Brackets, brackets, brackets. That’s all we’ll be hearing about over the next month or so, thanks in part to one of the greatest sporting events of the year, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Only a few have been given the chance to call the NCAA Championship Game on television. The NCAA Tournament didn’t start out as an instant smash either on television either. Consider that it’s still a fairly recent phenomenon. The first national broadcast of the tournament title game wasn’t until 1954, when La Salle beat my alma mater, Bradley. That’s only 70 years ago. The tournament itself turns 85 this year.
We know some of the best teams to ever play in the Final Four and Championship over the years. Of course, John Wooden’s UCLA teams in the late 60’s and into the 70’s. Indiana’s perfect team in 1976. Not to mention some ‘Cinderella’ victories, like Villanova in 1985. There have been many, many teams, many schools and coaches to get to the final game of the Big Dance. But there have only been a handful of folks that can say they broadcast it to the world. I’ve identified the great teams, what about the greatest broadcasters ever associated with the NCAA Tournament championships?
By my calculations and going back into the ‘way back machine’, or as its more commonly known, the internet to do some research. The very first person, on record, to call the title game on national television was Bill Flemming in 1963. The game between Loyola and Cincinnati was broadcast on “Sports Network Incorporated”. The broadcast was available to 90 percent of the country, carried on 140 stations. Not a bad game to start with.
The games switched to NBC in 1969 and stayed there through the 1981 Championship won by Indiana. Curt Gowdy took over the reigns as the broadcaster, until 1976, when Dick Enberg took the mic. The two shared the call on the 1977 and 1978 games, then Enberg was the lead through ’81.
CBS secured the rights to the tournament in 1982 and hasn’t let go since. The folks from TNT/TBS/Tru have joined the telecasts in recent years too. The first lead voice on CBS was Gary Bender, joined by Billy Packer for the game between North Carolina and Georgetown. Bender was succeeded by Brent Musburger in 1985 and carried the broadcast through the 1990 title game. Jim Nantz stepped in for the 1991 game, through last year’s UConn championship. Ian Eagle is set to call his first “Final Four” and Championship Game this season.
So, who of those gentlemen that I mentioned is the best? Which would take the traditional “1 seed” in a tournament for broadcasters? Well, I have some thoughts, so let’s travel down the Road To the, well, Top 4 and find out. First, a note on eligibility. Eagle, who as mentioned is set to take over the broadcast this year, hasn’t technically called one yet, so he’s not going to appear. I have no doubt, that he will continue doing the solid job he always does and will be great in his first shot.
If this were open to all announcers that ever called a tournament game, Eagle would certainly be near the top of the list. Others like Don Criqui, Jay Randolph, Greg Gumbel, Kevin Harlan, Dick Stockton, Marv Albert, and Verne Lundquist.
The list however isn’t open to all that have called a tourney game. Ground rules established. Ok, here we go. The seeds are in descending order from the 4th best top seed, to the best.
Curt Gowdy, #1 seed (4th overall) in the “One Shining Moment” bracket
The man called every sport under the sun in his illustrious career, including the Final Four, Super Bowl, World Series, Olympic Games and the NBA. He was once dubbed “the broadcaster of everything”, highlighting his incredible versatility.
Gowdy was around to see the unprecedented run by UCLA, winning 7 of the 8 Final Fours he called. He always brought a down home, folksy style to his broadcasts and it worked in every sport he covered. Back in his day, there was a comfort among fans, hearing him on a telecast meant it was a game to watch.
Brent Musburger, #1 seed (3rd overall) in the “March Madness” bracket
This has to be his bracket, because he is credited with bringing the phrase “March Madness” to the airwaves when describing the NCAA Tournament. For so many years his voice was associated with ‘big games’ and for 6 Final Fours, he didn’t disappoint. Musburger hosted CBS’s tournament coverage as the studio host for 3 years before taking over the broadcast.
He called Villanova’s stunning upset of Georgetown in the 1985 national final, Keith Smart’s winning jumper for Indiana to beat Syracuse in 1987 and “Danny and the Miracles'” upset victory over Oklahoma for the 1988 championship.
Musburger’s style was a little more ‘in your face’ than that of the broadcasters that came before him in the Final Four realm. His work before appearing on the NCAA Tournament telecasts made him a well-known commodity before he took the courtside seat. Musburger’s energetic and commanding presence was made for this big game assignment.
Dick Enberg, #1 seed (2nd overall) in the “Cutting Down the Nets” bracket
“Oh my” what would the #1 seed be without Dick Enberg? The tournament started becoming what it is today on his watch. The veteran of many sports, including Major League Baseball and the NFL, found a nice little niche for himself at the NCAA Tournament.
Enberg had the distinction of teaming with Billy Packer and Al McGuire to call the magical, no pun intended, Final Four of 1979. Magic Johnson and Michigan State beat Larry Bird and Indiana State for the National Title.
Enberg worked with Gowdy on NBC in the Final Four in 1976. A couple of years later he took over the lead seat until CBS took the rights from NBC. His energetic, yet not over the top style, lent itself perfectly to the Final Four and title games.
Jim Nantz, #1 seed (1st overall) in the “Road to the Final Four” bracket
It’s not just because Nantz called the Final Four for as long as he did. 32-years is a long time to do anything. Several generations of fans, only know of Nantz as the lead guy for CBS’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament. While he relinquished that chair after last year’s UConn win, he had the chance to be behind the mic for several huge games in the tournament’s history.
Nantz started his Final Four run in 1991 with Duke’s upset of undefeated UNLV. It led to back-to-back national titles for the Blue Devils and started the coaching legacy of Mike Krzyzewski. He also called Kris Jenkins’ title-winning shot for Villanova over North Carolina in 2016. It all culminated with UConn’s win as a 4 seed over 5th seeded San Diego State last year in Houston.
His strength comes in being able to set the mood, by explaining the emotion in the moment. He is able to treat each game like a story. Nantz was the perfect narrator for more than 3 decades. He had the ability to call big moments, without losing control of his voice. It’s going to be strange without Nantz on the call at the Final Four.
Last two out…
There’s always controversy when it comes to the brackets, but with only 4 spots and 6 main broadcasters to consider, two had to be left out.
Bill Flemming
The O.G. when it comes to the Final Four. He was the first to call the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four on television. After listening back to a few of the calls, he was swimming in uncharted territory. Flemming knew what he was doing and was good on the broadcast. Unfortunately, not many were witness to his great work in the tournament setting. Flemming may have been more well known as the original voice of ABC’s Wide World of Sports back in the day.
Gary Bender
After CBS took over the television rights in 1982, Bender got to call the first three Final Fours on CBS. He called North Carolina’s victory in the ’82 game, for Dean Smith’s first national title, and the craziness of the 1983 NC State thriller over Houston. Bender was excellent on both games, but unfortunately, he had a short run as the lead voice for CBS. He was a mainstay though in the NBA and the NFL, having called Phoenix Suns hoops for 18 years and did radio for the Rams, Cardinals and Bears. Bender was also seen on ABC’s Monday Night Baseball.
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
