As is customary for big time sporting events, CBS is adding current coaches not involved in the tournament to be involved with their studio coverage of March Madness. One of those current coaches is former ESPNer and St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin. Villanova’s Jay Wright will also serve as a guest analyst in the Atlanta studio while Lavin will be stationed in New York. Here’s more details from CBS..
Turner Sports and CBS Sports have added Villanova head coach Jay Wright and St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin as guest studio analysts for the 2012 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, airing across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV.
Wright will contribute to coverage of the First Four® on truTV from the Atlanta studio on Wednesday, March 14, along with second round action on Thursday, March 15, andFriday, March 16. Wright will appear alongside Steve Smith, Seth Davis and Matt Wineron truTV’s Inside March Madness to wrap up each day’s action at 12:30 a.m. ET.
Lavin will serve as a guest analyst in the New York studio for third round coverage on Saturday, March 17, and Sunday, March 18, joining analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and hosts Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson.
Lavin’s return to television is a welcome sight. He missed part of the season at St. John’s this year while recovering from prostate cancer surgery. I always enjoyed his work at ESPN as an analyst, especially when working with Brent Musburger in the booth as the famed “Lavinburger” pairing. Lavin was good in the studio as well, and it’s a smart addition to get a current coach involved in the studio where Lavin can lift up Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, who may not have the same inner knowledge of college basketball. Plus, Lavin’s television experience with ESPN makes the move a win-win for CBS. Time will tell if he stays beyond the first weekend, but it would be a smart move for CBS & Turner. Once Lavin’s coaching career finally finishes up, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back on television.
(via Fang’s Bites)
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