Send it in Big Fella

[albanycuse]

I didnt realize how tall Bill is. At the end of the game yesterday when he interviewed JB I noticed he is taller than JB. Its gonna suck big time after he is no longer doing games.

 

[dasher]

I didnt realize how tall Bill is. At the end of the game yesterday when he interviewed JB I noticed he is taller than JB. Its gonna suck big time after he is no longer doing games.

I feel bad but I have to disagree. I really like Raf. But in both games, St.Johns and Nova, it was clear to me that he is a Catholic school guy. Obvious when he went to Fox with them. He was just a little happier when jay's boys were doing well. I know he likes and respects jb and syracuse but his loyalty is pretty clear to me.

 

[albanycuse]

I feel bad but I have to disagree. I really like Raf. But in both games, St.Johns and Nova, it was clear to me that he is a Catholic school guy. Obvious when he went to Fox with them. He was just a little happier when jay's boys were doing well. I know he likes and respects jb and syracuse but his loyalty is pretty clear to me.

Ya you might be correct but he brings a different flavor to the game that I love. I dont expect him to be pro SU every game.

 

[Timonen]

I feel bad but I have to disagree. I really like Raf. But in both games, St.Johns and Nova, it was clear to me that he is a Catholic school guy. Obvious when he went to Fox with them. He was just a little happier when jay's boys were doing well. I know he likes and respects jb and syracuse but his loyalty is pretty clear to me.

I didn't get this at all. Isn't it natural to be more excited when the underdog is performing well?

 

[tbonezone]

the beauty of listening to a RAF game is that he actually knows our players and our history .gonna miss that.

 

[dasher]

I didn't get this at all. Isn't it natural to be more excited when the underdog is performing well?

Yes it is. But in this case, it isn't an underdog thing. Raf's heart is with the new big east teams. Nothing wrong with that. But I don't have to view him the same way. And I don't.

 

[shermstheman]

Raf is probably the only announcer that I'd turn a game on because he was doing it. He'd make East Western State vs. Central Southside U sound great. Onions! Syracuse goes zonewithmantomanprinciples!

 

['72 Orange]

I love his corney Raffertyisms:

- get those puppies organized
- with the kiss off of the glass
- the bank is open
- he left the lingerie on the deck

What others am I missing?

 

[OrlandoCuse]

These guys were always my all-time favorite color crew. I'm assuming we will never have the privilege of hearing them do another Syracuse game.

 

[rstone7727]

These guys were always my all-time favorite color crew. I'm assuming we will never have the privilege of hearing them do another Syracuse game.

I hope you are wrong, they are also my favorite crew.

 

[OburgOrange]

These guys were always my all-time favorite color crew. I'm assuming we will never have the privilege of hearing them do another Syracuse game.

I loved the way they poked fun at each other. Awesome crew

 

[OrlandoCuse]

I hope you are wrong, they are also my favorite crew.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas.../bill-raftery-leaves-espn-fox-sticks-big-east

 

[Fjoinkay]

Rafferty is a gem no matter who is playing on the court and no matter who is working with him courtside. With college sports this is an increasingly rare trait in my opinion.

 

[SUMBA]

They were the best. One of the classic exchanges took place after a foul on the lane while a free throw was being shot. I may not get the exchange exactly correct but here is how I remember it:

Raftery: He kind of baited him into that foul. Jay, did you ever bait anyone into a foul?

Mcdonough: He was a master at it.

They went on describing the action but at the next time out they must have laughed their butts off at that exchange. Gonna miss them together.

 

[HarrisonJBounel]

They were the best. One of the classic exchanges took place after a foul on the lane while a free throw was being shot. I may not get the exchange exactly correct but here is how I remember it:

Raftery: He kind of baited him into that foul. Jay, did you ever bait anyone into a foul?

Mcdonough: He was a master at it.

They went on describing the action but at the next time out they must have laughed their butts off at that exchange. Gonna miss them together.

My fave during the 6OT game, in one of the late OT's:

Raftery: "Hey, guys, after the game I'm going to go get some eggs. Can I save you a seat?"

McDonough: "I know where you're going, and it's not to get eggs."

 

[thebigeast44]

I loved Raf teamed with Mike Gorman back in the old Big East days. They always concentrated on the game and did not distract the viewer with over the top calls like Dickie V or the negative talk of Billy Packer etc. Great broadcasting team.

 

[thebigeast44]

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-ba...gus-johnson-new-big-east-analyst-leaving-espn

Good article about Raf's decision to move to Fox. I did not know he had the chance to do a CBS game as well but certainly happy he was at the Dome on Saturday.

 

[44PRIDE]

I love his corney Raffertyisms:

- get those puppies organized
- with the kiss off of the glass
- the bank is open
- he left the lingerie on the deck

What others am I missing?

ONIONS!

 

['72 Orange]

ONIONS!

I left that one out since another poster (Shremstheman) mentioned it in his post. Nothing like Raf! The first time I remember him using it was a number of years ago during one of our games at the Garden when one of our younger players (can't remember who) sank two key free throws to help seal the win during a BE tourney game.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Raf is a Big East guy plain and simple. Love him, and everyone else on this board will to when they have to listen to Vitale commentate our games against Duke and UNC. Thank god I will be at the game's and only have to listen to him when he does our game at Cameron.

 

[AccuRater]

We often stop in at Coleman's after games to extend the party (if we win) or drown our sorrows (if we lose). A few years ago, after a St John's game (we won) we were at the end of the bar near the dining room, drinking beer and discussing the game. Raf, Tirico and Boeheim walked in. On their way to the dining room, Raf stopped and with a big smile began to chat up the game. A couple of minutes later Tirico joined us. Then Boeheim walked by, nose in the air, didn't glance in our direction, and continued to the dining room. After a couple more minutes Raf and Tirico joined Boeheim.

I don't mean for this to be a criticism of Boeheim. I'm sure he was decompressing. More a comment on the wonderful outgoing personality of Raf, as well as Mike. He is as genuine as he appears during his broadcasts.