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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Mike Taylor added to this discussion on March 25, 2008
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I thought ESPN did a pretty good job with the national championships. The one thing I liked the most about what they did was show more of the personal side of the wrestlers. It is so easy to forget these guys are no older than 23 years old and are competing for a national title. Seeing J.D.'s impersonation of Arnold and hearing about the Penn State wrestler's hobby is sewing... just classic. I hope they continue with this in the future. It was really nice to get a glimpse into these young men's personalities.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Jack Muni added to this discussion on March 25, 2008
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I think they do a fantastic job. I remember the days when ABC would cover the Nationals, and they would start some of the matches in the middle or end of the second period. ESPN captures the the excitement and human drama of the moment. Flowrestling has some nice moments behind the scenes after the wrestlers leave the main floor following their victory. The Mike Pucillo one is nice, and Phil Davis collapsing in tears in a dark corner shows the emotions finally coming out after a brutal weekend of wrestling center stage in an event many only can dream of.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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I thoroughly enjoyed ESPN's coverage. As always, I wish there would have been more. The big change for the better this year was ESPN360.com
ESPN360.com was broadcasting all four mats of the quarterfinals, and they broadcasted the finals. It was a free online broadcast and I think everyone can get it. If you didn't see it live, they have it archived so you can replay it whenever you want.
It would have been great if ESPN360.com broadcasted the whole tournament (all three days, championship and consolations).
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Interesting tidbit:
At the end of the night, the lead announcer from the ESPN finals broadcast said something like, "stay tuned to ESPN for SportsCenter where you'll see Mat Madness and March Madness."
I immediately said, "NO WAY they even mention Mat Madness."
Unfortunately I was correct.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Jared Mills added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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A nice little touch was the mic on the main ref. I think it added a little excitement. I liked hearing the ref yell "Work to improve!". <smile>
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
John Joyce added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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Not everyone gets ESPN360 unfortunately. Your service provider must have a contract with them to provide it. Time Warner in Dayton does not as I could not get it here. It started out on college campuses and spread to others through service agreements like with cable companies and not all of the internet providers jumped on board.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Mark Viviani added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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I thought that the coverage was pretty good. Now all they have to do is start showing some rugby and I'll be happy.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Gary Sommers added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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Quote from John Joyce's post:
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"Not everyone gets ESPN360 unfortunately. Your service provider must have a contract with them to provide it. Time Warner in Dayton does not as I could not get it here. It started out on college campuses and spread to others through service agreements like with cable companies and not all of the internet providers jumped on board."
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We don't either. I don't think very many do.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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ESPN360 is a website not a tv station. ESPNU, which broadcast the quarters and semis, is a special station for which you must pay. But anyone with internet access could have watched via computer.
ESPN's coverage of wrestling appears to be growing and I'll offer a theory.
Every time ESPN does an online survey such as...top college athlete of the year, top amateur athlete of the year, top coaches of all-time (Dan Gable was 4th in the voting)...wrestling fans vote in droves. ESPN has noticed how large a presence wrestling fans have on the internet and is responding with better coverage.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Greg Debbe added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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Hank - your internet provider needs to have a contract with ESPN to offer the broadcast through ESPN360.com. Most internet providers do not have it available like others have stated. Time Warner in Columbus does not have it either.
The coverage is great but I think ESPN and the Big Ten network need to have a constant riding time clock and a constant display of stalling warnings. Not complaining just think they can enhance it some.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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Quote from Greg Debbe's post:
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"Hank - your internet provider needs to have a contract with ESPN to offer the broadcast through ESPN360.com. Most internet providers do not have it available like others have stated. Time Warner in Columbus does not have it either.
The coverage is great but I think ESPN and the Big Ten network need to have a constant riding time clock and a constant display of stalling warnings. Not complaining just think they can enhance it some."
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Greg: I had no idea that was the case. I have sbcglobal as my ISP. I typed espn360.com into my browser, and the wrestling appeared as if by magic. I just assumed that it was the case for anyone.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Jack Muni added to this discussion on March 26, 2008
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I tried to get on in Jackson Township. and it kept prompting me for my AT&T high speed account number or some other high speed Massillon internet provider. My freind had Time Warner Cable & high speed internet service but I couldn't get on with that. It had to be AT&T or I think it was Massillon cable or TV or something?? I got frustrated and went to a sports bar and watched on ESPNU for quarters & semi's. Next year at this time I'll be with AT&T high speed internet connection.
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Discussion Topic: ESPN Coverage of the NCAA Championships
Roe Fox added to this discussion on March 27, 2008
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I really enjoyed the pace. I think as someone pointed out above, they didn't cut in to the finals matches at strange ponts. They also stayed in a match in its entirety, then went to commercial. Pretty good camera angles, too, in that on replays it was nice to have a couple of looks at something.
That Quint Kessenich was pretty good in the stands, too.
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