I was flipping channels last night trying to find something to watch and I came across the The Big Ten Network. Ahh yes. Big Ten Basketball. In my opinion, there is nothing finer in the land (except for maybe Big Ten Football). Ohio State was playing Northwestern and the Buckeyes were consistently up 10 or so. Then the tide started to turn and Northwestern, behind all Big Ten first-teamer John Shurna, started to make a run. After all, the Wildcats need another signature win to make their first NCAA Tournament.... EVER.
As Northwestern climbed back into the game, play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson reeled me in. He is, far and away, my favorite announcer. He seems to make everything more interesting and his excitement for the game is contagious. I was actually excited about the finish of a game that I wouldn't otherwise care about. This game had a NCAA feel to it, but sadly, we will not get the privilege of hearing Johnson, and his insane enthusiasm, at this year's tournament. The Big Ten Network lured him away from CBS, and March Madness. I think that is a shame but I do get to see, and hear, him more often on BTN.
Northwestern found themselves down 3 with less than a minute to go. They tried to run a flare screen for John Shurna but against a really good defensive team, that isn't going to work. So the Wildcats improvised and Alex Marcotullio let it fly from 25 feet. That is when it happened. OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!! Vintage Gus Johnson! After a Buckeye timeout, Jared Sullinger scored to give OSU a 2 point lead with 3.1 seconds left. Johnson was a more subdued on that call but there is only so much you can do with a layup. The final shot came from Shurna, a desperation heave at the buzzer that glanced off the rim. Unfortunately, it didn't go in but could you imagine Gus Johnson's call if it had? It would have been epic!
In case you didn't see it (or hear it), here he is at his finest!
http://btn.com/2012/02/29/best-of-gus-no-11-ohio-state-at-nu/
As Northwestern climbed back into the game, play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson reeled me in. He is, far and away, my favorite announcer. He seems to make everything more interesting and his excitement for the game is contagious. I was actually excited about the finish of a game that I wouldn't otherwise care about. This game had a NCAA feel to it, but sadly, we will not get the privilege of hearing Johnson, and his insane enthusiasm, at this year's tournament. The Big Ten Network lured him away from CBS, and March Madness. I think that is a shame but I do get to see, and hear, him more often on BTN.
Northwestern found themselves down 3 with less than a minute to go. They tried to run a flare screen for John Shurna but against a really good defensive team, that isn't going to work. So the Wildcats improvised and Alex Marcotullio let it fly from 25 feet. That is when it happened. OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!! Vintage Gus Johnson! After a Buckeye timeout, Jared Sullinger scored to give OSU a 2 point lead with 3.1 seconds left. Johnson was a more subdued on that call but there is only so much you can do with a layup. The final shot came from Shurna, a desperation heave at the buzzer that glanced off the rim. Unfortunately, it didn't go in but could you imagine Gus Johnson's call if it had? It would have been epic!
In case you didn't see it (or hear it), here he is at his finest!
http://btn.com/2012/02/29/best-of-gus-no-11-ohio-state-at-nu/
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