Inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational - Duke vs Texas

BlueBomb

Heisman
Apr 3, 2009
10,674
19,487
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I'll try to get this in before the Vitale bashing commences.

This is well deserved IMO. There is no one that loves college basketball more than Vitale. By all accounts he is a true Christian, a loving family man, a generous philanthropist, and an outspoken advocate for the game.

His shtick might get old, but he's OK in my book.
 

CondorCat

All-Conference
Oct 22, 2010
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ESPN also announced a contract extension for Vitale through the 2027-28 season. He's 86 years old now.
 

jeffky

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Sep 22, 2017
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Is he going to propose to K at halftime?
Season 9 Lol GIF by The Office
 

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,636
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93
He'll always be a legend to me. As a kid, nothing cooler than Dickie V on the call.

Of course they chose Duke. Whatever, not going to be upset over it.

It's funny to me that this was made and hosted in Duke's back yard of all places. We're starting this new annual neutral site event. 1st year, we'll host it 2 hours from Duke and have Texas fly in to Duke's back yard.
 

Rick Honcho

All-Conference
Apr 19, 2011
1,375
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Dick Vitale has had a nice career as a broadcaster, but he’s never been on par with Al McGuire as far as a broadcaster or basketball ‘ambassador.’

“Keep it simple, when you get too complex you forget the obvious.”

Al McGuire

In fairness, Joe Dean was a better broadcaster. Larry Conley was a better broadcaster. John Sunvold was a better broadcaster. Jim Spanarkel is a better broacaster. And with the advent of sharing revenue with college athletes, I truly can’t think of anyone who has earned more revenue off the backs of college athletes by doing less than Dick Vitale.
 
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PoBilly

All-Conference
Mar 18, 2012
2,784
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There are just some iconic voices with calls in College Basketball. Joe Dean Sr, (southern drawl with String Music),, Bill Rafferty and onions, Cawood Ledford was the best of all play by play men (reason he was on Westwood 1 network) along with Kentucky call and there are several more (not Bill Walton). Once we lose Dickie V and such it will just be different. I do not like most i listed but I do or did like their call of the game. It is something I still hear in my head from time to time (string music i mean). It is like listening to Leonard Losers on Saturday mornings in the 70s and 80s. Still can today but it is a different guy, he does a good job though.
 

preston-lemasterpiece

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2025
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I'll try to get this in before the Vitale bashing commences.

This is well deserved IMO. There is no one that loves college basketball more than Vitale. By all accounts he is a true Christian, a loving family man, a generous philanthropist, and an outspoken advocate for the game.

His shtick might get old, but he's OK in my book.
nah he sucks. "He loves hoops" ok so does my neighbor Mort, what's your point?

I blame him for starting the trend of "sports commentary personalities". The purpose isn't to actually call the game or educate the viewer, it's to yell catchphrases and promote your brand. He paved the way for clowns like Stephen A Smith
He may love hoops. But he loves hearing himself talk way more. With all due respect.
 

UK CAT in FL

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Sep 21, 2007
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nah he sucks. "He loves hoops" ok so does my neighbor Mort, what's your point?

I blame him for starting the trend of "sports commentary personalities". The purpose isn't to actually call the game or educate the viewer, it's to yell catchphrases and promote your brand. He paved the way for clowns like Stephen A Smith
He may love hoops. But he loves hearing himself talk way more. With all due respect.
I'm closer to this camp than to others who say his commentary was meaningful. He, and many other commentators, just say catch phrases such as "no one rotated over . . " when a layup was given up, when you can see with your own eyes someone did rotate over but just not enough to stop the basket. Talking for talking sake.
 

JDHoss

Heisman
Jan 1, 2003
16,475
40,065
113
There are just some iconic voices with calls in College Basketball. Joe Dean Sr, (southern drawl with String Music),, Bill Rafferty and onions, Cawood Ledford was the best of all play by play men (reason he was on Westwood 1 network) along with Kentucky call and there are several more (not Bill Walton). Once we lose Dickie V and such it will just be different. I do not like most i listed but I do or did like their call of the game. It is something I still hear in my head from time to time (string music i mean). It is like listening to Leonard Losers on Saturday mornings in the 70s and 80s. Still can today but it is a different guy, he does a good job though.
Leonard's Losers was "must see" radio back in the day. I never missed an episode.
 

PoBilly

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Mar 18, 2012
2,784
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Leonard's Losers was "must see" radio back in the day. I never missed an episode.
Have you checked the guy out on line? This guy is close voice and mannerisms to the original. He purchased the rights. In knoxville he is still on the radio. I sent info to KSR but they never did anything with it.

 
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flacat22

Heisman
Mar 12, 2011
8,437
12,156
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How long before the rest of the SEC teams realize that Texas has captured the top billing for all SEC sports?

Money talks and bull 💩 walks.
“ALL” sports? Are you including 6-12 in the SEC Texas basketball?
 
Dec 30, 2002
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“ALL” sports? Are you including 6-12 in the SEC Texas basketball?
I'm not.
But it is obvious ESPN and Dickie V determined that 6-12 Texas team was a marquee matchup for Duke.

Those games and the SEC prominence used to belong to us.

Top billing doesn't necessarily mean you are the best team.
 
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flacat22

Heisman
Mar 12, 2011
8,437
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I'm not.
But it is obvious ESPN and Dickie V determined that 6-12 Texas team was a marquee matchup for Duke.

Those games and the SEC prominence used to belong to us.

Top billing doesn't necessarily mean you are the best team.
Orrrrr, they simply had a spot open in their schedule this late (it was only announced two days ago). We play loservile first a week later. I can see where we may have been offered but declined plus they want a lay up for dUKe and Vitale.
 
Dec 30, 2002
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Orrrrr, they simply had a spot open in their schedule this late (it was only announced two days ago). We play loservile first a week later. I can see where we may have been offered but declined plus they want a lay up for dUKe and Vitale.
Orrrr, MP whipped Sheyer and Duke's @$$ on national TV, which ruined their dreams of a perfect season with the golden boy, Cooper Flopp literally blowing the game in the end.

Maybe just didn't want to take that chance again.
 
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9N9

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Orrrr, MP whipped Sheyer and Duke's @$$ on national TV, which ruined their dreams of a perfect season with the golden boy, Cooper Flopp literally blowing the game in the end.

Maybe just didn't want to take that chance again.
Or maybe you’re just over-thinking this.