{"id":179,"date":"2023-03-14T16:47:31","date_gmt":"2023-03-14T16:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/podcasts\/?p=179"},"modified":"2023-03-14T16:47:31","modified_gmt":"2023-03-14T16:47:31","slug":"greg-gumbel-talks-his-cbs-decades-involvement-with-ncaa-tourney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/podcasts\/greg-gumbel-talks-his-cbs-decades-involvement-with-ncaa-tourney\/","title":{"rendered":"Greg Gumbel Talks His CBS Decades Involvement With NCAA Tourney"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Greg
Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; CBS announcer Greg Gumbel prior to the national championship game in the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Baylor Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The NCAA Tournament<\/strong><\/a> is about to begin and with it, Greg Gumbel\u2019s<\/strong> 26th year as host on CBS. \u201cPlum job is probably putting it lightly\u201d declared the 76 year old sportscaster. \u201cThere are people who would give their right arm to be sitting next to Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis on selection Sunday or sitting next to Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Talk about some heavyweights!<\/p>\n

Gumbel has maneuvered through myriad games during the last quarter century but it\u2019s the first two days of the tournament that are a unique challenge. \u201cThose first two days are absolute murder. 16 games on Thursday, 16 games on Friday. The last games usually finishes up at 1AM, 1:30.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

And there\u2019s not much time to sleep. Gumbel and crew have to be back in by 7:30 for production meetings, voice overs, rehearsals, research. Think it\u2019s a glamorous job? Gumbel wouldn\u2019t trade it for the world.<\/p>\n

But there are some drawbacks. Take for example: when the network used to leave one game for another that is close in score with little time remaining. Guess who got blamed for this?<\/p>\n

Greg Gumbel!
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\u201cSure, because I\u2019m the face. The switchboard would explode. People in Kentucky-<\/strong> how dare you take them away from their Kentucky Wildcats, but they were leading by 35!…<\/em><\/p>\n

“We\u2019re watching the game and Greg Gumbel has to stick his big nose\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

We both broke out in laughter. But it\u2019s the nature of the beast and a glorious beast it is.<\/p>\n

Buzzer beaters are the best. We all love them. Plus, there are now four networks doing the games: CBS, TNT, TBS and TRU TV.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always want to get someone to the sight of a possible buzzer beater. You\u2019ve got to take the majority of your audience to the game.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

So, get ready because this should be another wild NCAA Tournament!
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Hear the second part of George’s conversation on “Tell me a story I don’t know” with Greg Gumbel<\/a> by clicking play below,<\/p>\n