Kenny Smith was noticeably absent from CBS March Madness protection after his alma mater North Carolina misplaced to VCU in a serious upset
Kenny Smith was gone from the analyst desk after UNC misplaced to VCU in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament(Image: CBS)
This yr’s faculty basketball March Madness match hasn’t even accomplished its opening spherical, but it is already demonstrated how rapidly fortunes can shift. One second an analyst sits comfortably watching opponents wrestle at halftime, the following their alma mater collapses, wrecking brackets nationwide while viewers instantly discover a conspicuous absence from the printed sales space.
That state of affairs performed out for Kenny Smith on Thursday night after the CBS and TNT commentator, who had been offering studio evaluation alongside Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg, departed following North Carolina’s season-ending 82-78 extra time defeat to VCU in the South Region’s opening round.
The large upset added to a string of surprises, together with the match’s untimely exit for a number one NBA Draft prospect whereas Charles Barkley also aimed a savage dig at a Donald Trump-supporting analyst.
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Smith, a former UNC basketball standout, had appeared in pre-game bracket discussions with Barkley. The Tar Heels commanded a 39-28 halftime benefit and pushed their cushion to 18 factors early within the second interval earlier than issues unraveled.
VCU remained relentless behind Terrence Hill Jr., with the Rams finally overcoming a 19-point drawback earlier than sealing victory within the further session. Hill delivered 34 factors, capped by a clutch stepback three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in extra time, while Henri Veesaar’s 26 factors and 10 rebounds proved inadequate for UNC.
Smith’s departure resonated much more profoundly given his pre-tournament confidence in North Carolina’s prospects. He predicted the Tar Heels would beat Illinois earlier than falling to Houston within the Elite Eight, forecasting a nationwide championship showdown between Michigan and Michigan State, with the Spartans claiming the title.
Reactions on social media ranged from amusement to accusations of “typical coward behavior,” while others fixated on the vacant seat, questioning if he had departed early. Some accounts indicated Smith might need been feeling in poor health, though the timing did not assist appearances.
The Tar Heels suffered elimination within the spherical of 64 in consecutive tournaments for the primary time since 1985, the identical yr Smith was a participant on the squad.
During that season, he posted averages of 12.0 factors and 6.2 assists for a UNC roster that featured future NBA gamers together with Brad Daugherty, Joe Wolf, Jeff Lebo, Dave Popson, and Steve Bucknall. Whether Smith departed attributable to illness, disappointment, or unlucky timing, the visible had already made its affect.
Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis maintained that regardless of failing to attain within the recreation’s remaining 4 minutes, his squad nonetheless carried out effectively in crunch time.
“Just because you miss a shot doesn’t mean something’s wrong. We had open looks. We had shots at the basket. We had executed plays,” he said.
“And we miss eight free throws. Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in. You really want to compliment VCU,” he added. “Their resiliency in down 19 to keep trying to find a way.”
