I really hate having to listen to basketball games. It’s even worse than listening to football games. You just don’t get a sense of what other players are doing without the ball. You are totally dependent on the announcers to tell you what they find relevant. So take these thoughts on the Pitt radio crew for what they are worth.
Hillgrove and Groat have long, storied ties to announcing Pitt basketball but, I was frequently befuddled by what was actually happening in the game. Not until early in the second half did Groat finally explain that Providence was doing a great job setting screens to free up the shooters.
I think Hillgrove has a great voice for calling games, but aside from the obvious name confusion issues, the big beef with him is that he doesn’t see the plays develop so he will completely whiff on a call — roughly every 8th play. You never know what happened.
Groat is the kindly old grandfather, does a good job of not talking over the action, and can still provide some sharp analysis coming out of time-outs and commercials to explain what a team is or isn’t doing — when he has time. Of course, this is live action, so time is a luxury. The problem is during the game, his comments are frequently banal, cheerleading or just confusing because he is expected to say something. Comments like, “You have to make that pass, young fella’,” after a turnover really don’t do much.
The problem is, people freak when you get rid of longtime, established game-callers. It becomes a comfort and familiar. Groat, especially, would cause a large hue-and-cry because of his age and history with Pittsburgh.
The other problem, is the “be careful what you wish for” risk. Who’s to say that if Groat or even Hillgrove that the next crew would be better. Groat at least isn’t talking over the actual call very much. The trend with color analysts has been to chatter non-stop, and frequently about things not pertaining to what is happening on the court or field.
Kind of feeling a little “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” regarding the radio. Well, hopefully with high expectations next year, more of the games will be televised and on Full Court.
Sorry, just had to get that out of my system.
