CBS Analyst Departs Following Team’s Stunning March Madness Upset
A CBS analyst left the broadcast after his alma mater suffered a stunning March Madness upset. Kenny Smith was not at the studio desk following North Carolina’s season-ending loss.
Broadcast absence draws attention
Smith had been working pre-game analysis with Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg. He departed after North Carolina fell 82-78 in overtime to VCU.
The game was the South Region opening round. Viewers quickly noticed Smith’s empty chair on Thursday evening.
How the game unfolded
North Carolina led 39-28 at halftime and built an 18-point advantage early in the second half. VCU mounted a comeback and erased a 19-point deficit.
Terrence Hill Jr. scored 34 points. He hit a stepback three with 15 seconds left in overtime to seal the win.
Henri Veesaar led UNC with 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Tar Heels missed eight free throws in the contest.
Reactions and context
Social media offered mixed responses. Some joked, while others criticized Smith for leaving the desk early.
Several posts suggested he might have felt unwell. The timing, however, intensified attention on his absence.
Smith’s ties and pre-tournament picks
Smith starred at UNC and played on the 1985 team. That season he averaged 12.0 points and 6.2 assists.
Teammates then included Brad Daugherty, Joe Wolf, Jeff Lebo, Dave Popson, and Steve Bucknall. UNC exited in the round of 64 in consecutive tournaments for the first time since that 1985 season.
Before the tournament, Smith predicted UNC would beat Illinois and fall to Houston in the Elite Eight. He also forecast a Michigan versus Michigan State final, with the Spartans winning.
Coach’s assessment
Head coach Hubert Davis defended his team’s late-game play. He noted the Tar Heels had open looks and executed plays in crunch time.
Davis praised VCU’s resiliency for fighting back from a large deficit. He acknowledged missed free throws affected the outcome.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments around the broadcast and game reaction. More updates will appear as information becomes available.
