ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale has called "every single Duke-North Carolina game the network has aired" since he joined the net in '79, but he "has not been assigned" tomorrow night's game, according to Tom Jones of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Vitale in recent years "has called the game with play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman and analyst Jay Bilas," but just Shulman and Bilas are slated to call the game from Cameron Indoor Stadium. Vitale did not comment on the decision, but Jones wrote the Basketball HOFer "surely must be devastated by not being able to call the game for which he is best known." ESPN "isn't forcing Vitale out," as his contract "is expected to be extended." ESPN VP/PR Josh Krulewitz said that Vitale "remains an integral part of the network's basketball coverage." But Jones wrote this reminds him somewhat "of what happened to Brent Musburger," who was moved from ESPN/ABC's top college football team to the SEC Network this past year. Vitale is the "same announcer with the same enthusiasm he has always had," and his game "has not slipped in the least." The move appears to be a way to "raise Bilas' profile even higher," but it would seem like ESPN "could accomplish that without taking Vitale off" the rivalry game (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/16). Vitale said, “I told them that I cannot lie when a writer asks me what’s my feeling not doing the game. I said I have to be honest. And my honest reply to you is, obviously, I’m a loyal, team player. I will go where my bosses tell me to go. But in my heart I will absolutely miss being a part of North Carolina-Duke" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 2/17).
