Everyone knows him as Raf.
Everyone also knows him as the guy calling college basketball games on ESPN.
So something will be different for Bill Raftery this week, when he opens his 33yrd season as a broadcaster on an entirely new network, Fox Sports 1, assigned principally to a new league with an old brand name. Fox teamed him with a new partner, electrifying play-by-play voice Gus Johnson.
Raf’s first game with Fox will take him back to his old Big East roots, with Boston College (of the new ACC) taking on Providence (of the new Big East) at 6 p.m. ET Friday. On New Year’s Eve, he’ll call an intriguing doubleheader to open the Big East season: St. John's at Xavier at noon, Villanova at Butler at 7:30 p.m.
Raftery’s distinctive style has made him a fan favorite throughout his three-plus decades at the mike with ESPN (and with CBS during the NCAAs), from his trademark “man-to-man!” opener to his “onions!” exclamation if a player hits a big shot. But Raftery is a shrewd, insightful analyst whose self-deprecating references to his time as Seton Hall coach can’t hide his expansive knowledge of the game.
Sporting News talked to him by telephone as he prepared for the coming season.
SN: Obviously, Fox Sports 1 has gone all-in on the Big East, so let’s talk about where you think the league is headed. How much of a force can the conference be in this sport without football involved and more or less “advertising” the league from September on?
Raftery: It reminds me so much of when the whole deal started, with the exception of they’ve got a little bundle of cash. David (Gavitt) in his wildest dreams in 1979 … He thought there was a chance to market and impress the country, but it wasn’t much of a package.
It’s imperative, I think, to impress the country again. November and December, their intersectional games, particularly in the first couple years—it’ll impress people if they’re able to compete and win big games.
SN: It’s a different league now, with teams in the Midwest such as Butler, Xavier, Creighton and Marquette. Can the league still command the attention of high school prospects on the Eastern seaboard?
Raftery: The name is part of it. It was big for them in terms of image and recruiting, along with the Garden. Even with DePaul struggling a little bit, Marquette’s still very good. It hasn’t hampered them at all to be out there with the Big East name. Butler is doing nicely with some kids. I think the name itself sort of stands alone. Kids are more interested in style of play, exposure, competition and hopefully that’s what the league will stand for.
SN: How important is it for the Big East to keep Madison Square Garden as the home of the tournament?
Raftery: I think it really helps. It’s just always been a great week, reminiscent of when I was a kid and the ACC Tournament became such an important date on the calendar of basketball nuts.
An important thing for the league, too, is there are a lot of even teams. With them playing twice, getting a shot at a third time and that being in the Garden—I think that will be very inviting to the teams involved.
SN: Are you pleased to see the return of the double round-robin format? Would you be opposed to expansion in order to preserve it?
Raftery: With 16 teams, you might not have played a guy for a couple of years. We’ve all seen that in football, where a team might make the Rose Bowl from the Big Ten without playing Michigan or Ohio State. I think this is a great situation for these teams, as they gain confidence.
From left, Bill Raftery, Val Ackerman and Gus Johnson (AP Photo)
In other leagues, it suffers in terms of that evenness of competition. But I wouldn’t be opposed to an expansion if it made sense, if there is a team that would be representative or have the philosophy of these other teams. There’s a lot of good programs out there. Right now, I don’t feel or hear anything at all. Nobody seems to have that interest as we speak.
SN: What new Big East matchup are you most excited about seeing?
Raftery: I’m excited about them playing everybody. Just to see how playing Wednesday/Saturday, Wednesday/Saturday—you have to play teams that are pretty darned good—how will they stack up? Having done some work with Creighton I’ve been very impressed with their talent. Xavier, having seen them practice and they’ve done so well for so long in the Atlantic 10, dominated the league for so many years, it will be interesting to see how they do in this league.
And that leaves Butler. I found going to their practice, it was like going to Brad’s practice—the same procedures, setup, philosophy, defensive strength. The Roosevelt Jones kid being injured really hurts, and Brandon (Miller) has to find out what he wants to do at the point guard position.
I’ll be curious to see them banging heads night-in/night-out and see how all three respond.
SN: With the exception of St. John’s NCAA trip in 2011, it’s been a while since the teams in the New York metro area were big factors in the league. Do you see that changing soon?
Raftery: Seton Hall is a good example of exactly what you’re saying. (Kevin Willard is) having a knockout recruiting year; I think the change in the league has helped them quite a bit. A ‘This league is here to stay’ type of thing. I think it’s given teams a lot of confidence. Ten is a lot less than 16, and it’s certainly a lot less without UConn, Louisville, Syracuse.
In the early 80s, we were thinking Providence and Seton Hall would never make the Final Four, and then Rick did it in ’87 at Providence and P.J. had Seton Hall in there two years later.
I think everybody has to feel, ‘If we get some good kids, we can be a presence as well.’
SN: What about St. Johns? You’ve watched them since Steve Lavin took over, the progress in recruiting and the setback when he was ill.
Raftery: To me, they could win it all in the league. I just think there are so many key things: Defensively, getting these talented kids to get after it. (D’Angelo) Harrison’s attitude, which has been good so far; Rysheed Jordan, everyone says he’s been the real deal running the team.
If they can guard—they’ve got size and they’ve got backcourt play—they could be terrific. They’re good, it’s just a matter of a mindset at this point. Steve is healthy and looks much better. He’s got the old spunk back.
SN: Will there be any noticeable difference with you broadcasting on Fox after all these years on ESPN?
Raftery: It’s interesting, all these companies now, they’re a crossbreed of people from all walks of life. Some of the people there obviously started at Fox, but there’s ESPN guys, there’s CBS guys.
The idea of really doing the best job you can no matter where you go prevails.
ESPN was so good to me, and I just loved our team. Jay (Bilas) and Sean (McDonough) and the producers and the team. That was the hardest part. Usually if you’re leaving someplace, they’re upset with you or you’re upset with them. I didn’t even think of this, but Fox expressed an interest, and the more I thought about it, I was there at the beginning of the Big East and maybe, for me, the end will be there as well.
03-09-2011, 02:50 PM
