Fans on Twitter suggested that Boise not be allowed to host the tournament again until the camera is movedCBS
TNT and CBS viewers around the country on Thursday were "introduced to the unique television angle for the main camera at Taco Bell Arena when the games in Boise were televised," and the reviews were "generally not favorable," according to John Wustrow of the IDAHO PRESS-TRIBUNE. Fans "noticed that the camera was higher up than in most places, as the platform was moved from the mezzanine level to the upper level when Taco Bell Arena added ribbon board" around the mezzanine level in '16. Many people "suggested on Twitter that Boise not be allowed to host the tournament again until the camera is moved" (IDAHO PRESS-TRIBUNE, 3/16). Barstool Sports' Big Cat tweeted, "Why is this Gonzaga game being filmed from the roof?!?," while ESPN's Myron Medcalf tweeted, "Anyone else annoyed by this Gonzaga-UNCG camera angle?" (TWITTER.com, 3/15). CBS and Turner in a statement said that they would look to "modify" the camera angle ahead of Saturday's second-round games (TWITTER.com, 3/15). In Spokane, Vince Grippi notes the disconcerting view was "made up some by the abundance of floor-level replays, something CBS and TBS are more than willing to give us." Meanwhile, TNT play-by-play man Brian Anderson "consistently gave viewers more insight" than his analyst, Chris Webber. Anderson "did his homework" and it "really helped down the stretch." Gonzaga G Zach Norvell Jr. "connected on a long ball right in front of coach Mark Few," and earlier in the game, Anderson had "mentioned Norvell's Chicago roots, his high school's pedigree -- and his penchant for making the big shot" (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 3/16).
THE GOOD & THE BAD: In San Diego, Tod Leonard notes for the second straight year, ESPN analyst Debbie Antonelli has been "tabbed by Turner Sports and CBS as a color commentator for regional first- and second-round games." She will "provide analysis alongside Carter Blackburn and sideline reporter John Schriffen." A year ago, Antonelli "made headlines because she was the first woman assigned to NCAA Tournament men’s games since Ann Meyers Drysdale" in '95. If anything, this year’s assignment "feels more like a form of validation." Antonelli said, "I was excited the day they hired me back, because it meant that it wasn’t just a one-hit opportunity for me" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/15).
LAY OFF THE KIDS: In Syracuse, Geoff Herbert wrote truTV viewers for Syracuse-Arizona State on Wednesday night during the First Four "received a gut punch when a young ASU fan was shown crying on national television -- repeatedly." He was "sobbing his eyes out with just over a minute left in the game and SU leading by three." Then truTV showed him again "bawling ... with 0.4 seconds left." The heartbreaking image "quickly became a meme on Twitter." However some people "criticized TruTV ... for lingering" on the young fan. The broadcast "even showed him a third time after the game was over, being comforted by a woman who appeared to be his mother" (SYRACUSE.com, 3/15).
