Debbie Antonelli made a determined effort to be in Iowa City on Thursday night to witness Caitlin Clark's historic moment. As a seasoned figure in basketball, having been a player under Kay Yow at North Carolina State in the 1980s and later establishing herself as a highly regarded broadcaster, Antonelli understood the challenges ahead. Despite the anticipated sleep deprivation, she recognized the rarity of someone breaking the NCAA women's career scoring record and felt compelled to be present. Following her ESPN coverage of USC's victory over Arizona in Los Angeles on Monday night, Antonelli swiftly returned to her home in Charleston, S.C., for less than 24 hours before embarking on a journey that involved flights from Charleston to Charlotte, then from Charlotte to Des Moines, and finally, a two-hour drive from Des Moines to Iowa City.
Antonelli expressed her love for the game and the conviction that she should be present in Iowa City, stating on Thursday afternoon, "I'm enamored by the whole Clarkanomics, which is what I have called it. It's pure joy when you watch her play." Antonelli joined the 15,000-plus spectators at Carver-Hawkeye Arena that night to witness Clark's record-breaking performance, where she scored 49 points in Iowa's 106-89 victory over Michigan. As a seasoned analyst in women's basketball, Antonelli has also had a literal front-row seat, providing national coverage. The Athletic recently interviewed broadcasters, including Antonelli, to gain insight into their experiences calling Clark's games and how her exceptional skill set has influenced their approach and preparation.
Zora Stephenson, the play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports and Peacock.
Calling games featuring Clark: Six, including Thursday
Describing her games requires a thesaurus. It's crucial to vary the expressions while conveying the same brilliance, ensuring not to downplay the extraordinary nature of her performance. I constantly remind myself to maintain the same level of awe, whether it's her fifth 3-pointer or the first game of hers that I ever called, considering that some viewers might be witnessing her talent for the first time.
Significant effort and consideration went into my preparation for the Iowa-Michigan game. I sought advice from Brian Anderson of TNT Sports and Brewers broadcasting fame, who provided invaluable insights. A recent lunch with Jim Paschke, the longtime Bucks broadcaster, was also enlightening. Noah Eagle's contributions have been exceptional. It's a blend of thorough preparation and genuine excitement about being present in the arena for such a record-setting moment.
Having played college basketball, the journey to Iowa games often stirs up emotions for me. The immense attention surrounding the Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark contributes to the excitement. No other college athlete boasts the impressive combination of 3,000 points, over 800 rebounds, and over 900 assists. Beyond the stats, her consistency in long-range shooting, proficiency in logo-3 shooting, relentless work ethic, and overall skill set set her apart. The fact that she accomplishes all this at the age of 22 is truly remarkable. Personally, I find myself in awe. The first game I called of hers on Jan. 2 against Michigan State, where she hit a game-winning shot from the logo, remains my favorite. This is undeniably Caitlin's moment, and my role is to encapsulate it in words.
Rebecca Lobo, analyst for women's basketball at ESPN
Clark games covered: 12
When discussing Caitlin extensively, the key is to find distinctive yet illustrative angles. While showcasing her impressive long-range shots, it's essential to highlight how her proficiency in making those 3-pointers alters defensive strategies against her and her teammates. An additional aspect is her remarkable skill as a "get ahead" passer, arguably the best since Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. Last season, we emphasized this with a graphic displaying her get-ahead assists, supported by a breakdown telestration during a game. This year, we delved into her shot-making from 25-plus feet, comparing it to Sabrina Ionescu and Taurasi's WNBA numbers from the previous season, and followed up with an analysis of how her extended range influences defensive tactics.
Caitlin exerts a unique control over the home arena, unlike anything I've encountered in college basketball. There are specific instances when she possesses the ball, and you can sense the fans collectively holding their breath in anticipation. The eruption of cheers follows when the shot goes in or a remarkable pass is executed, creating an incredible atmosphere.
Her home games often require extended periods of silence for broadcasters. Among my cherished moments calling her games are the one where Dave O'Brien and I covered her game-winning shot against Indiana last year, an extraordinary experience. Ryan Ruocco and I had the privilege of calling her 3,000th point. Her remarkable performance in the national semifinal against South Carolina last season stands out.
A more subtle yet personal favorite moment occurred during Iowa's practice last year in Portland. As they prepared to face UConn and worked on their press break against scout players, Caitlin passionately urged the practice players to intensify their effort. She wanted them to challenge her and the team as they would be challenged in the upcoming game. This assertiveness resonated with me, and I thoroughly appreciated it.
Ryan Ruocco, the play-by-play announcer for the Women's Final Four on ESPN.
Paraphrase: Calling games featuring Caitlin Clark presents a unique challenge. When she's on the court, there's a sense of readiness to make a call earlier than with other players. Rebecca Lobo, my broadcasting partner, is considerate and adjusts her commentary when Caitlin has the ball, anticipating the potential for a shot at any moment. It requires heightened focus whenever Caitlin is in possession, given her propensity to take shots from various spots on the floor.
The creative aspect comes into play when finding distinctive ways to capture the energy and significance of Caitlin's plays. It's both challenging and enjoyable to come up with varied descriptions that go beyond a typical made 3-pointer. Reflecting on her remarkable performance against South Carolina in the national semifinals last year, it showcased her necessity to be exceptional against a formidable opponent like South Carolina. However, if I had to pinpoint one memorable moment from a game I called, it would be her early deep 3-pointer in the national championship game, a shot that resonated with viewers worldwide.
Clark games covered: 7
Numerous stories about Caitlin have been shared, making my task challenging to unearth fresh information and provide insights that viewers might not be aware of. For instance, during last year's NCAA Tournament, I discovered an intriguing detail: Caitlin possesses unusually large hands, resembling giant mitts. It was surprising that this aspect remained unknown despite three years of coverage, but it adds a unique dimension to her game, particularly in her ball handling.
Paraphrase: During tonight's game (Rowe covered the record-breaking event against Michigan for SportsCenter), I conducted an interview with Caitlin's brother afterward. He shared an interesting anecdote about their mini-ball basketball games in the basement, where Caitlin, in pursuit of a rebound, accidentally pushed him into the wall, leading to him needing four staples in his head. I echo the sentiments of Rebecca and Ryan regarding the rhythm of Caitlin's games; you need to be cautious not to talk overplays or shots, as you never know when she'll pull off something magical.
Beth Mowins, ESPN play-by-play broadcaster for women's basketball and college football, has covered around 10 or 12 of Caitlin's games. Calling her games makes you realize the significance of this moment with a massive audience. Caitlin stands at the crossroads of skill, personality, social media, and the women's sports renaissance. This unique combination, along with the accessibility of information, sets her apart. Caitlin's impact goes beyond records, influencing the playing style of emerging talents like JuJu Watkins. Mowins believes it's crucial to provide perspective, comparing Caitlin to past greats and discussing their achievements. She recalled a special moment during the Indiana game last year when a young girl, brought over for an interview with Caitlin, showcased the profound impact players like Caitlin have on people's lives, creating cherished memories.
Debbie Antonelli, basketball analyst for ESPN, CBS, and Westwood One.
Clark games called: 10
She prompts you to search for new adjectives to portray her in ways that haven't been explored previously. From a historical standpoint, I'm aiming to identify a suitable language to vividly describe what sets her apart. When I was calling the majority of Jackie Stiles' games, I experienced a similar challenge. It required delving deeply to articulate things differently and ensure the right emphasis.
When collaborating with Beth (Mowins) during her games, I tend to have more moments of staying silent. For instance, when she's at midcourt and launches a shot from the logo, Beth might exclaim, "From the logo for 3 ... it's good!" In such instances, there's a tremendous applause or noise, and I don't need to interject every time. The cadence involves more periods of silence, allowing the director to cut the visuals to align with her actions. Therefore, there is a mechanical distinction when commenting on her games.
Comments
Post a Comment