Detroit sports radio host Mike Valenti delivered a blistering critique of truTV’s broadcast of the NCAA Tournament First Four matchup between Miami (Ohio) and SMU. He took particular aim at play-by-play announcer Jordan Kent during Thursday’s edition of The Valenti Show with Rico on 97.1 The Ticket.
Valenti, known for his unfiltered commentary and high standards for game presentation, described the call as one of the worst he has encountered in college basketball. He framed his frustration around what he perceived as an overly manufactured delivery that failed to match the urgency of a win-or-go-home setting.
“This was the worst play by play announcer since ‘boom goes the dynamite kid’ at Ball State in 2003,” Valenti said. “This guy. Fake voice. Pushing it. Fake enthusiasm. Bad jokes. Go away, never to be seen again. An absolute atrocity.”
The veteran host escalated his criticism as the segment unfolded. He made clear the broadcast detracted from his viewing experience. This came during a critical opening-round game that draws heightened attention from casual and dedicated fans.
“This guy was a clown,” Valenti says. “Last night, I wanted to put a bullet in my TV. I had had enough.”
Tuesday’s broadcast on truTV was handled by Jordan Kent on play-by-play. Jim Spanarkel also worked as the game broadcast analyst and Jenny Dell reporting from thee sidelines. While Valenti’s comments carried his trademark intensity, they also reflected a broader point about expectations for national tournament coverage, particularly during March Madness.
He argued that broadcasters assigned to these moments must strike a balance between energy and authenticity. Valenti also broadened his critique by comparing the call to what he characterized as a trend among younger broadcasters, He referenced Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and its reputation for producing polished but, in his view, overly scripted on-air personalities.
“Worse than anything Syracuse has produced,” Valenti said. “Syracuse has become notorious from their uppity School of Newhouse producing all of these robots. It’s like the real slim shady music video. They all come out the jeans, the white t shirts and a microphone and robot personalities. What happened last night was a new low.”
Kent is not scheduled to call any of the remaining NCAA men’s tournament broadcasts.
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