Vern and Raft

[Stevo]

I'm new to this board -- apologies in advance if this has been covered!

Was it just me or were Vern and Raft falling all over themselves to praise OSU? To the point of the ridiculous? Example: At one point, OSU was about to pass the ball into the lane and Raft said "Oh, nice play..." even before the ball left the guard's hand. A Syracuse player (don't remember who, sorry) stepped in front, intercepted the pass, and started heading downcourt.

Two old guys who are trying to anticipate the plays -- or two old guys who just can't praise OSU enough?

 

[cusetown1]

yes. It was very irritating, along with Sullinger and his overrated game getting every call.

 

[cuseincincy]

I love Vern and Raf. But you are absolutley right. I almost went ballistic when the whistle blew and the exchange went something like this... Raf: "Looks like they got a foul." Vern: "Let's hope it's not against Craft." Me: "You hope it's not against Craft? Are you fn kidding me?!?!?!?" There were way overboard on that kid during the game. You would've thought he had dropped 30 and 20 on us instead of 5 and 4. The kids a good defender but he's also a hack and pretty much a non-factor on offense.

 

[cuseincincy]

yes. It was very irritating, along with Sullinger and his overrated game getting every call.

Sullinger is a nice college player. He'd be well advised to stay for 4 years. There is not a lot of use in the NBA for a 6'10" PF that plays below the rim. Kind of reminds me of Sean May, great college player but a non factor and out of the NBA within 4 years.

 

[djcon57]

I love Vern and Raf. But you are absolutley right. I almost went ballistic when the whistle blew and the exchange went something like this... Raf: "Looks like they got a foul." Vern: "Let's hope it's not against Craft." Me: "You hope it's not against Craft? Are you fn kidding me?!?!?!?" There were way overboard on that kid during the game. You would've thought he had dropped 30 and 20 on us instead of 5 and 4. The kids a good defender but he's also a hack and pretty much a non-factor on offense.

I usually love Raff...but he when he said "THERE YA GO" when Sullinger hit a free throw at the end I went ballistic.

 

[orangecuse]

I love Vern and Raf. But you are absolutley right. I almost went ballistic when the whistle blew and the exchange went something like this... Raf: "Looks like they got a foul." Vern: "Let's hope it's not against Craft." Me: "You hope it's not against Craft? Are you fn kidding me?!?!?!?" There were way overboard on that kid during the game. You would've thought he had dropped 30 and 20 on us instead of 5 and 4. The kids a good defender but he's also a hack and pretty much a non-factor on offense.

Love how JB diplomatically dismissed Craft in his post game presser saying how he really wasn't a factor and didn't affect/distract us in any way as we were able to get to the rim, etc.

 

[ClamOtto]

Always love Raf but Verne was horrendous. Never calls the action, doesn't explain what's going on (like who picked up a foul and how many does he have), interjects with comments like "nice!!" Blabbers on with standard talking points written ahead of time on the SU scandals, Sullinger coming back, etc. At least he mostly got the players names right this weekend - he couldn't even do that in the earlier rounds. For some reason he set me off in the Wisconsin game when a Wisconsin shot clanged off the side of the rim and he said "oooh in and out!" But that was really the least of it.

 

[McNabb2Brominski]

Sullinger is a nice college player. He'd be well advised to stay for 4 years. There is not a lot of use in the NBA for a 6'10" PF that plays below the rim. Kind of reminds me of Sean May, great college player but a non factor and out of the NBA within 4 years.

Perhaps you have not heard of Kevin Love..

 

[djcon57]

Perhaps you have not heard of Kevin Love..

Does Sullinger have the NBAs best 3 point shot as well?
If not, he better get working on it.

 

[Noexcuse]

One thing I did notice from their broadcast was the OSU players all had family members present. SU's guys are all street orphans, so no mention of their families, which I thought was a nice touch by CBS.

 

[Marsh01]

Sullinger is a true tweener and really will struggle playing in the NBA. He needs to leave college now because his draft stock can only get worse if he stays 2 more years. Throw in his body is breaking down month by month. Take the cash while you can.

 

[djcon57]

Sullinger is a true tweener and really will struggle playing in the NBA. He needs to leave college now because his draft stock can only get worse if he stays 2 more years. Throw in his body is breaking down month by month. Take the cash while you can.

Can't wait to see him try that shoulder nudge move.

He'll try that to someone like Taj Gibson and fall down backwards.

 

[netman99]

I'm new to this board -- apologies in advance if this has been covered!

Was it just me or were Vern and Raft falling all over themselves to praise OSU? To the point of the ridiculous? Example: At one point, OSU was about to pass the ball into the lane and Raft said "Oh, nice play..." even before the ball left the guard's hand. A Syracuse player (don't remember who, sorry) stepped in front, intercepted the pass, and started heading downcourt.

Two old guys who are trying to anticipate the plays -- or two old guys who just can't praise OSU enough?

THEY were equally obnoxious in the wisconsin game also. IMO, Raf has always had a thing for JB. He always gives him cheap shots and he was definitely routing against him in this tourney. Maybe it has something to do with JB's 17-0 record against Raf as a coach

 

[McNabb2Brominski]

Does Sullinger have the NBAs best 3 point shot as well?
If not, he better get working on it.

No, because he is only a sophomore in college.

 

[dasher]

THEY were equally obnoxious in the wisconsin game also. IMO, Raf has always had a thing for JB. He always gives him cheap shots and he was definitely routing against him in this tourney. Maybe it has something to do with JB's 17-0 record against Raf as a coach

Raf beat JB in 1981. And while I think Raf likes JB, he does seem to root against and "coach" against him in every game.

 

[orangehomer]

Love how JB diplomatically dismissed Craft in his post game presser saying how he really wasn't a factor and didn't affect/distract us in any way as we were able to get to the rim, etc.

can't be true, i heard at least once that craft is the best man to man defender in the history of basketball.

 

[arbitragegls]

if i heard one more mention about Sullinger's mom and dad; dad coaching, brother shipping out...and all the positives about OSU and NARY a word about'Cuse...well both can go ..k themselves.

 

[Stevo]

Raf beat JB in 1981. And while I think Raf likes JB, he does seem to root against and "coach" against him in every game.

Totally. He could not WAIT to announce another "great play" for OSU on Saturday, even if the play hadn't materialized yet! Infuriating. The instance I described was just one example.

 

[PauliePeppas]

I didnt enjoy listening to raf alll year, not just this game.

 

[tbonezone]

we really didn't get much of raff this year. mostly the butch chicks.

 

[Ghost]

It's Craft. It always happens. Announcers go crazy as soon as they see the kid.

Craft is like the Bieber for old white basketball commentators. It's very odd. It's not like an annoying JJ Reddick kind of love either, it's more like a having the kid's poster on their wall kind of fanboy type .