Turner Sports and CBS Sports today announced that Bill Raftery and Grant Hill will serve as analysts for the men's Final Four and National Championship this year. Raftery and Hill, who both will be making their debut as TV analysts for the event, will join play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and reporter Tracy Wolfson. The four will make their debut as a broadcast team during the Big Ten Tournament on March 14 and will continue throughout the NCAA tourney. Raftery and Hill replace Greg Anthony and Steve Kerr; Kerr is in his first year as Warriors coach, while Anthony was suspended indefinitely by CBS after being arrested last month for prostitution solicitation. Anthony yesterday entered a not guilty plea in the case (THE DAILY). Sportswriter Brendan Prunty writes on Twitter, "Bill Raftery and Grant Hill being added to Final Four/Nat'l Championship booth for CBS, is GREAT news for viewers. ... It is also a well-deserved honor for Bill Raftery, rewarding a great career calling the sport he loves." SI's Richard Deitsch wrote, "Really like seeing Raftery get a title game after all these years." ESPN's Jeff Goodman: "Really cool for Turner/CBS to go w/ Bill Raftery for Final Four. As good a guy as it gets … and terrific at what he does (also at the bar)." Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy: "You see Bill Raftery on TV, wonder: Is he that cool in real life? The answer is no. He is way cooler. So delighted for him." The N.Y. Post's Justin Terranova: "Surprising -- and awesome -- decision by CBS/Turner." The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle: "Great news for college hoops fans" (TWITTER.com, 2/3).
