Verne Lundquist enjoyed a sports broadcasting rarity during CBS’s NCAA Tournament coverage in Denver.
While technically “on the road,” the veteran play-by-play man was able to sleep in his own bed last week.
Lundquist and partner Bill Raftery were in Atlantic City, N.J., covering the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament that ended a week ago Sunday.
He boarded a flight to Denver, planning to meet his wife Nancy and spend a couple of nights in their Larimer Square-area condo.
Lundquist said he then would fly off to second- and third-round regional action in one of seven other cities. He even envisioned going to Washington, D.C.
“That’s the way this sports travel business works,” Lundquist said last week at the Pepsi Center.
He didn’t know until late Sunday that he and “Raf” were scheduled to broadcast games Thursday and Saturday from Denver.
Lundquist, who lives in Steamboat Springs, bought the condo in 1995 “when the price was certainly right. This condo gives us the opportunity to occasionally enjoy the bright lights of a big city.”
Lundquist also discovered upon arrival in Denver that Colorado had not made the tournament.
“Frankly, I was shocked,” he said. “I thought CU was a lock.”
Lundquist is keenly aware the tournament selection committee annually takes heat when ignoring teams many think should have been picked.
“The CU snub hit hard, both locally and nationally,” he said.
Lundquist glanced down at press row where Raftery, using his ever-present yellow pad, was intently studying the practice sessions.
“I’ve been blessed with talented broadcasting partners. Both Raf and Gary (Danielson on college football) know their business so very well.
“I’m the nuts-and-bolts guy. They put the zing into the telecasts,” the 70-year-old Lundquist said.
“It really helps when a sports broadcasting team is on the same wavelength on and off the court.
“Raf and I, together since 2000, have become close friends. We even share the same sense of humor.”
Lundquist occasionally teases his partner about staying out late while they are on the road.
Raftery recently said on the air: “You know it’s amazing how much you can learn when you stay out late at night.”
Lundquist’s reply: “If that’s the case, I must be working with Socrates.”
The most exciting of the six Denver games was Morehead State’s 62-61 upset of Louisville on a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
The exciting finish gave Raftery a chance to utilize some of his famous phrases — “with a kissss” and “send it in, big fella.”
Their best overall effort came Saturday, when Brigham Young toppled Gonzaga, with Raftery regularly defining for viewers the talents of Jimmer Fredette.
Ratings roulette.
Audience figures for the first three days of the NCAA Tournament, aired on four venues — CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV — were up 11 percent over last year’s exclusive coverage on CBS.
Saturday’s viewing was up 14 percent over last year.
CBS had no competing coverage during Sunday’s early games that produced nail-biting wins by perennial powers North Carolina and Duke. CBS also had exclusivity for the first half of Ohio State’s romp over George Mason.
What happened?
No one can accuse NCAA’s TV partners of ignoring Saturday’s bizarre, controversial ending when Butler upset Pittsburgh.
Studio shows in New York and Atlanta probed the weird finish with NCAA officials and referees.
More bouncing balls.
ESPN on Saturday began airing all 68 games in the NCAA Women’s Tournament in HD.
Longtime Denver journalist Dusty Saunders writes about sports media each Monday in The Denver Post. Reach him at tvtime@comcast.net.
NIT-picking CU’s finer moments
Do any CU fans who are following the Buffs in the National Invitation Tournament remember Bob Doll?
He was the MVP in the 1940 NIT when CU beat Duquesne 51-40 in the final.
Obviously, no one saw Doll’s performance on television, although the final was carried in some parts of the country on Mutual Radio.
CU holds a prominent place in NIT history, losing to Temple 60-36 in the initial 1938 tournament.
In the mid 1940s, the NIT was more prominent than the NCAA event.
ESPN is scheduled to carry CU’s quarterfinal NIT game vs. Kent State at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
