CBS plans a series of specials to commemorate the 75 years of the NCAA Tournament in 2013. The first of these specials will air back to back as lead-in programming to the Kentucky-Louisville game on Dec. 29.
From 2 to 3 p.m. that day, CBS will air what it calls “75 Years: Behind the Mic.” Announcers who have worked telecasts of the NCAA Tournament will recall memories.
This trip down memory lane will include Verne Lundquist, Len Elmore and Christian Laettner recalling the epic 1992 Kentucky-Duke game in the East Region finals. Of course, Laettner won it with a buzzer-beating shot in overtime.
From 3 to 4 p.m., CBS will air what it calls “75 Years: A Coach’s Perspective.” On this show, college coaches will recall NCAA Tournament memories. Coaches participating are U of L’s Rick Pitino, Florida’s Billy Donovan, Villanova’s Jay Wright, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, Georgetown’s John Thompson III, Butler’s Brad Stevens, Kansas’ Bill Self, VCU’s Shaka Smart and St. John’s Steve Lavin.
The UK-U of L game is scheduled to tip off a few minutes after 4 p.m.
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
