Monday, March 10, 2025

ESPN+ Basketball Announcers Overlook Opponent’s Scoring

When a sports event spirals out of control, announcers often scramble for topics beyond the obvious lopsided score. This was the case for ESPN+ announcers Ryan Maxwell and Howard Simon on Thursday night, as Fairfield held a commanding 20-point lead over MAAC rival Niagara in the third quarter. As Fairfield brought the ball down the floor, the duo discussed Fairfield’s challenging non-conference schedule and postseason prospects while a three-pointer attempt unfolded. In a rare occurrence, Niagara forward Jemima Lacroix grabbed the rebound and immediately scored two points for Fairfield in what is described as a dreaded “own goal,” yet Maxwell continued his focus on Fairfield’s schedule, completely overlooking the unusual play.

On the court, two of Lacroix’s teammates stood by in disbelief with their hands on their heads, while Maxwell maintained his narrative about the schedule. Although Maxwell and Simon’s oversight of the own goal was a minor hiccup, such plays are rarely seen, particularly in college basketball, leading several fans to comment on the announcers’ failure to address the mistake.

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