In the words of the baseball legend Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” March Madness is just around the corner, and it’s gonna be intense! There are so many storylines, so many narratives that are being brought to light, and we can’t wait to get to the bottom of them. Teams like Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Texas are looking to get that elusive championship. On the other hand, UConn, the defending champions, are trying to rise from the ashes like a phoenix this season.

It will be a doozy for sure! We’ve seen Cinderella stories aplenty in March, and we’re sure we’ll see some upsets this year as well. However, a good tournament needs good coverage on air. For years, we’ve been blessed with legends like Vitale, Greg Gumbel and Gus Johnson who have called out some intense moments.

After Gumbel’s unfortunate passing at the hands of cancer in late December 2024, the studio hosts have changed guard. Over the last few years, league legends like Charles Barkley and Candace Parker have been a part of the crew. And it seems like the broadcasting companies are happy with that.

CBS and TNT recently released their list of broadcasters, and Ernie Johnson Jr. will be carrying the torch this year alongside Adam Lefkoe and Adam Zucker. However, fans weren’t all that excited about the lineup, with a few noticeable changes catching their eye. Noticeably, Charles Barkley’s role as a studio analyst has not sat well with people, especially this year.

Fans react to CBS and TNT’s March Madness Misstep featuring Charles Barkley

Social media went wild after CBS and TNT revealed their announcers and hosts for the NCAA Tournament. It is a celebrated festival of college basketball, and fans aren’t happy with NBA/WNBA analysts covering it.

A fan on X questioned the broadcasting companies’ decision to include NBA legend Charles Barkley. “Charles Barkley as an analyst?” They asked, not happy with the inclusion of the Round Mound of Rebound in the college circuit. It seemed to be a common sentiment among fans, however, as another fan agreed. “Stop with Barley and smith, they don’t follow college.” 

Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson Jr. are part of the popular TNT show Inside the NBA, and aren’t frequents in the NCAA area. Fans aren’t exactly thrilled to have them call a tournament that they don’t follow.

Another X user pointed out how oblivious the crew is towards NCAA and the March Madness tournament. “I really don’t like how they got NBA analysts for March Madness. They usually don’t know their names, what their seasons have been like or the storylines. Give me the analysts that’s been covering it all season. Not Chuck, Candace Parker, or Kenny smith.” True fans have been following along, and they know the narratives, but they feel like the analysts don’t!

They wanted broadcasters who feel the heartbeat of the game, those who know what they’re talking about. Not only that, Gumbel’s loss was felt quite heavily. “We miss you Greg Gumbel.” A supporter said, paying respect to the broadcasting legend.

Fans and their issues didn’t end there. A number of their favorite broadcasters didn’t make the cut, and fans weren’t happy. “No Avery Johnson.” A fan pointed out on X, while another questioned the absence of veteran broadcaster Jim Nantz. “Where’s Nantz ?!” 

Fans love feeling a connection with announcers and analysts, and their point is valid in and of itself. They want high-quality coverage, and they want it from people who care. However, CBS and TNT have done a marvelous job of covering March Madness and its beautiful stories over the last few years. It will be interesting to see how their quality holds up in the face of criticism. But one thing is for certain, March is gonna be electric!