Nice interest piece on the meticulous preparation of Bill Raftery:
A Sportscaster's Secret Playbook
But this comment indicates it may have put together some time ago:
"On the bottom right corner, Mr. Raftery lists strategic moves that might beat this team. Against Xavier, lay off guard Mark Lyons and lure him into shooting three-pointers."
That would be fine by me. Lyons is shooting 50% from three his past ten games.
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01-31-2011, 01:59 PM #1
ONIONS! - Bill Raftery on Game Preparation
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
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01-31-2011, 02:02 PM #2
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Color me impressed by the work that Raftery does in preparation for every game.
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01-31-2011, 03:34 PM #3
Obviously, those were Raft's notes from before the XU/Minnesota NCAA game last year.
Cool, nonetheless."I Got CHAMPIONS in that Lockerroom!" -Stanley Burrell
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01-31-2011, 03:39 PM #4
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I definitely have more respect for Raftery after reading that article, but his style still rubs me the wrong way. Small doses only.
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01-31-2011, 03:44 PM #5
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He's a little over-enthusiastic sometimes, huh?
In that regard, he's like Dick Vitale, if you took all of the "suck" out of Dick Vitale. (Vitale's enthusiasm about college basketball is really the only thing I like about him. It's clear he really loves the sport, even as he suckles at the teat of everyone and everything famous)
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01-31-2011, 04:01 PM #6
Smileyy, Having dealt with Dickie V I can say there is much more to Dick than a surface scan. First, a lot of my reaction to him is from the view of a former sportswriter. That said, I have found him to be a front runner who really likes Xavier and has since the days of Pete Gillen. I never called him that he hasn't returned my call, no matter what. He always asks to be remembered to Sister Rose Ann Fleming, something that never ceases to amaze me.
I got to know Dick when he brought his Detroit U. teams into Schmidt , long before Xavier was even considered NCAA tournament -competitive. Before I left the Post, for good (The summer Matta bailed and Sean took over) I often called and talked to Dick on various subjects in the sporting world, especially college and pro basketball, which he has more contacts than anyone I've ever met. He was never too busy to talk with a colleague as he used to call me. A very nice man.
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01-31-2011, 06:53 PM #7"It's like X wasn't given enough to do, so they had to promise it more. Okay, you don't start a lot of words, but we'll give you a co-starring role in tic-tac-toe. And you will be associated with hugs and kisses. And you will mark the spot. And you will make writing Christmas easier." -Mitch Hedberg
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01-31-2011, 07:11 PM #8
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q -
I don't doubt it. I probably should have clarified the "suck" part -- he's just not a very good announcer for PBP or color. A good guy to have drop into the booth to add his excitement though. He really does love college basketball and the players, and all the hard work and success that they see.
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01-31-2011, 07:15 PM #9
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01-31-2011, 07:18 PM #10
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