For all of Dick Vitale’s “showtime baby!” and Gus Johnson’s “the slipper still fits,” March Madness’ cherry on top broadcasting may have just tasted sour this season. CBS teams’ ill chemistry or Steve Lappas’ insufficient effort, broadcasting has been a pebble in the show for college hoops community. Come Final Four, and enter TNT’s best-loved Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley; unfortunately, the sentiment doesn’t seem to have changed.
Okay, let’s be honest– Chuck and Kenny did not help get Inside the NBA to its heights without being the entertaining analysts they are. College basketball fans has loved a share of it, too, in Rick Majerus, Doug Gottlieb, and more. But that is where they will be limiting it to. Because March Madness is a separate beast, rivalries run deep, fan devotion even better.
When it was announced that the TNT guys would be analysts for the NCAA Tournament, the fans were concerned, and rightfully so. They raised questions about whether Barkley and Smith follow college ball enough to give valuable insights or if they’re just headed into it blind. However, the people’s problems snowballed into something completely different during the Final Four.
During the Auburn vs Florida half-time show, Charles Barkley addressed his alma mater with heavy bias, using the word ‘we’ as an analyst. Needless to say, fans didn’t react well. But truth be told, no professional basketball player ever loses their college loyalties. And Chuck has been at it throughout the season, proud of the heights Auburn has reached under Bruce Pearl.
“You know, it got to the point Bruce did such a good job. People have been disappointed the last couple of years. Can you imagine? Think about that,” he said during his appearance on the Next Round last week. Not for the first time, not for the last. The Tigers’ win against Michigan State had given even given him hopes ahead. “That second half Auburn played Friday night was incredible. If they played like that Friday, like they played that second half Friday, they’re going to win,” he said.
Now, the fact that Auburn was nowhere near the second-half team they are known to be is a different story. What added to the day was Kenny Smith was no different than Barkley, but it’s a lot more subtle.
The UNC alum, during Duke games, appeared to be uninterested and always rooted against the Blue Devils. He’s a Tar Heel if there ever was one, having his jersey retired by the program. But broadcasting is a profession in which loyalties are tested for sure.
The TNT crew has not had a positive response from the public during this March Madness tournament, but things have especially gotten worse around the Final Four.
Fans tear down CBS and Kenny Smith for biased coverage
We know the Tobacco Road rivalry is losing its charm, but it hasn’t completely fizzled out. However, fans wish it is not brought into broadcasting while calling the game.
As expected, social media didn’t respond well to Smith’s antics. “Kenny Smith is awful to listen to when the topic is Duke. Dude is so damn bias against them.” A user said on X, calling out the Tar Heels alum. The 2x NBA champion has been in the broadcasting business for near 3 decades now. All-Stars, playoffs, or even the Division I college basketball games back in 2008, he is no rookie. So watching him fumble during these games, fans had no kind words.
“Kenny Smith adds nothing to the broadcast,” blurted one of them.
The CBS coverage of the game has changed over the past few years. We have new show hosts, new studio hosts and new analysts all round. Not to mention, games are broadcasted across CBS and Turner networks, shifting away from a pay per view model. However, one fan wants it all to roll back. “I’m happy every game is broadcast across CBS and the Turner networks, but having Chuck and Kenny there is the price we pay. I’d rather go back to PPV and have CBS’ regular crew there. Seth Davis, Jon Rothstein, etc.”
There was a lot of push back that the broadcasting company got for including Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Candace Parker into the NCAA Tournament crew, and it has only gotten worse.
I’m happy every game is broadcast across CBS and the Turner networks, but having Chuck and Kenny there is the price we pay. I’d rather go back to PPV and have CBS’ regular crew there. Seth Davis, Jon Rothstein, etc.
— TeddyTV (@TeddyTV70) April 5, 2025
“Kenny is just so uninterested lol can’t stand him,” came another. Smith has adorned the Duke colors for all four years before he was drafted as the 6th overall pick in the NBA draft in 1987. No Tar Heel or Blue Devil ever forgets the rivalry, and it was stingingly visible for the fans, and not just in his commentary. “He couldn’t wait to wear that shade of blue either he so uncomfortable tonight lol.” A fan said on X, pointing out the shade that Smith wore to Duke’s Final Four matchup.
The CBS broadcasting lineup left a bitter taste in people’s mouths when it was announced, and you can see why.
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