How did the various booths fare during this year’s men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament? We invited Awful Announcing readers to rank the eight March Madness booths by CBS Sports and TNT Sports. The response yielded these announcer rankings based on over 4,000 individual votes from more than 500 participants. Each booth was graded from A to F, with readers supplying comments on individual teams. We converted these letter grades into numerical scores, assigning A as 4 points and F as 0, to rank the booths accordingly.
The average grade for the eight booths stood at 2.89, equating to a C+. This score represents a slight decrease from last year’s average of 2.97 for March Madness booths, yet it surpasses the grades observed in other recent rankings, such as 2.43 for the NFL announcers and 2.58 for NFL/CFB rules analysts. Interestingly, AA readers appear to prefer the NCAA Tournament booths over overall booths from most sports, though the marginal year-over-year drop is notable.
Let’s dive into the grades and selected reader comments (some have been lightly edited for clarity) without further delay.
8. Lisa Byington, Robbie Hummel, Jalen Rose (through second round): 2.03
Most common grade: C (33.7% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 69.9%
The most significant year-over-year change for this team was the departure of Steve Smith. With Avery Johnson replaced by Tom McCarthy and Deb Antonelli, Rose, a newcomer to NCAA Tournament broadcasting, joined Byington and Hummel. However, viewers were not thrilled with this particular change, as the group dropped from a 2.26 last year (still in last place). This year’s score is similar to the 2.04 Byington and Smith got in 2021 and above the 1.93 Byington/Smith/Johnson garnered in 2023.
Criticism was primarily directed at Rose, with comments like “Jalen Rose always sounds like he’d rather be doing something else” and “Making Robbie Hummel work with Jalen Rose is like making Picasso paint with a French fry.” Conversely, Hummel earned commendations such as “outstanding” and “the best color commentator in the sport.” Byington’s reviews were more mixed; comments ranged from “great” and “underrated” to “simply falls flat.” It appears that Rose significantly impacted the final grade for this booth.
7. Tom McCarthy, Debbie Antonelli, Steve Smith (through second round): 2.30
Most common grade: C (42.6% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 84.6%
With Smith joining this team in place of Johnson, the trio maintained a similar grade to last year’s 2.33 for McCarthy/Antonelli/Johnson while remaining in seventh place. Commenters criticized the three-person booth concept, with some labeling it as an “absolute killer” for college basketball. Smith faced individual criticism, receiving remarks like “doesn’t contribute much” and “isn’t needed.” While some praised McCarthy, others preferred to see him in other sports, suggesting he “thrives on the diamond rather than the hardwood.” Yet, Antonelli garnered the highest individual praise on the team, with many deeming her “really good and underrated.”
6. Brad Nessler, Brendan Haywood (through second round): 2.64
Most common grade: B (44.6% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 92.5%
Consistent performance marked this pairing as they received a 2.75 in 2023 and a 2.73 the previous year, placing sixth among eight teams each time. This year’s grade slightly declined but remains within 0.1 of last year’s average. Furthermore, this team recorded the highest percentage of ‘B’ grades, indicating solid approval.
Commenters highlighted both Nessler and Haywood positively. Nessler’s commendation included “deserves a regional assignment,” while Haywood was noted for being “an enjoyable listen.” However, they also faced criticism, Nessler for “not keeping up with the action well,” and Haywood was labeled “not great.”
5. Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas (through Elite 8): 2.82
Most common grade: B (39.2% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 92.2%
This duo has maintained their position with a score similar to last year’s 2.91. However, a downward trend precedes this year’s 2.82. Commenters praised the chemistry and longevity of this pairing, with many stating, “great chemistry, fun banter, and solid insights.” Individual praises highlighted Catalon as a “rising star” and “one of the best announcers out there,” while Lappas faced mixed reviews, with some saying he “yaps too much” and receiving comments noting his tendency to confuse during late-game analysis. Nonetheless, a few recognized him as “an acquired taste,” suggesting he has improved over time.
4. Spero Dedes, Jim Spanarkel (through second round): 2.87
Most common grade: B (46.9% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 94.0%
While this booth held fourth place, it reflected a decline from last year’s debut score of 3.01. Critics argued this duo should receive a through-Elite 8 assignment, citing unfair rankings. Though their A votes were fewer compared to Catalon and Lappas, they secured the fourth spot due to a higher number of B votes. Concerns over chemistry emerged, with comments suggesting Spanarkel might work better with Catalon, while others appreciated their dynamic. Individually, Spanarkel received notable praise with comments like “vastly underrated,” while Dedes received a mixed reception, with some finding him “the most underrated play-by-play guy in the industry.”
3. Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson (through Elite 8): 3.09
Most common grade: B (49.5% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 95.8%
Anderson and Jackson’s score of 3.09 showed a slight drop from the previous year’s 3.16, but still captured strong praise from voters. They faced a distinctive phenomenon with their score receiving eight Fs, despite being higher-ranked than other booths. Many comments positively recognized Anderson, while others were critical of Jackson’s style, suggesting he “tries to be the smartest guy in the room.” Nonetheless, both were celebrated for their “great chemistry,” backed by years of collaboration, even outside the tournament.
2. Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy (through Elite 8): 3.61
Most common grade: A (70.7% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 97.5%
This booth received a slight decrease from last year’s 3.68 but remained an impressive rank with high acclaim. Although Van Gundy faced individual criticism, many noted Harlan’s stellar performance and Bonner’s experience as valuable assets. Their chemistry received commendations, with viewers remarking, “Their conversation off the Coke Zero ad read was the best non-basketball moment of the tournament.” Overall, they maintained a positive reputation, though the criticism towards Van Gundy’s style may impact discussions about his continued role.
1. Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery (through Final Four and title game): 3.70
Most common grade: A (80.3% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 97.7%
Maintaining the top spot, this all-star trio saw no drop in their ranking with stellar support from voters, receiving more A votes than any other booth, only matching with five Fs. While some comments were critical of Hill’s contributions, many praised the chemistry among the trio, stating, “You feel like you’re watching the game with friends.” Overall, their high grade affirms their success during the tournament. This score stands out compared to top booths in other sports, underscoring that March Madness viewers are well-served.
