(03-15-2019 03:55 PM)TerryD Wrote:  March 15, 2019
Season-Opening Games

The 2019-20 men’s basketball season will open strong on ACCN with four high-profile matchups on November 5 and 6. Leading off, Georgia Tech will play at NC State, and Miami will host Louisville on November 5. The following day, Virginia visits Syracuse and North Carolina hosts Notre Dame.

Date Event Network
Tue., Nov. 5 Louisville at Miami ACCN
Tue, Nov. 5 Georgia Tech at NC State ACCN
Wed., Nov. 6 Notre Dame at North Carolina ACCN
Wed., Nov. 6 Virginia at Syracuse ACCN

We knew with the combination of ACCN and moving from 18 to 20 games that this was coming, but I still don't like it. I hope in future years when we don't have to "unveil" the network that they at least schedule the extra conference games in December, rather then having teams play conference games to open the entire basketball season. Crazy to think you could play a league opponent and then potentially not see them again until the ACC tournament 4.5 months later.

(03-15-2019 04:04 PM)CollegeCard Wrote:  

(03-15-2019 03:55 PM)TerryD Wrote:  March 15, 2019
Season-Opening Games

The 2019-20 men’s basketball season will open strong on ACCN with four high-profile matchups on November 5 and 6. Leading off, Georgia Tech will play at NC State, and Miami will host Louisville on November 5. The following day, Virginia visits Syracuse and North Carolina hosts Notre Dame.

Date Event Network
Tue., Nov. 5 Louisville at Miami ACCN
Tue, Nov. 5 Georgia Tech at NC State ACCN
Wed., Nov. 6 Notre Dame at North Carolina ACCN
Wed., Nov. 6 Virginia at Syracuse ACCN

We knew with the combination of ACCN and moving from 18 to 20 games that this was coming, but I still don't like it. I hope in future years when we don't have to "unveil" the network that they at least schedule the extra conference games in December, rather then having teams play conference games to open the entire basketball season. Crazy to think you could play a league opponent and then potentially not see them again until the ACC tournament 4.5 months later.

Those aren't just throw-away games, either. We're talking 5 of the final 8 in this year's ACCT.

Thanks guys. It certainly sounds like a home run announcement. Looking forward to working them into the morning listening routine.

And I agree that it would be nice to allow some non-conference games before some conference games. As tune ups, if nothing else. That time of year, they need to be week day contests, as college (and pro) football dominate the sports scene then.


All that said - I am pretty excited for the ACCN. It will quickly become one of my most watched channels.

(03-15-2019 05:18 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  Thanks guys. It certainly sounds like a home run announcement. Looking forward to working them into the morning listening routine.

And I agree that it would be nice to allow some non-conference games before some conference games. As tune ups, if nothing else. That time of year, they need to be week day contests, as college (and pro) football dominate the sports scene then.


All that said - I am pretty excited for the ACCN. It will quickly become one of my most watched channels.

"Tune it in and rip off the knob."

I like Pack on XM Radio. I enjoy his preseason trips across the country visiting fall camps before the start of the season.

Not so familiar with Durham but enjoy his broadcast work

I just rewatched the press conference since I had missed part of it when it aired originally... guess where the Mark Packer/Wes Durham show will originate?

ESPN is setting up a studio in Mark Packer's basement! I believe he lives in Charlotte.

Que the fans who'll point out that the SECN gets the old ESPNU studio and the ACCN gets Mark Packers basement...

While I'm joking around and nit-picking the ACCN, notice this typo from the GetACCN FAQ page...

Quote:How will this impact my cable bill?
ESPN negotiates wholesale rats, and retail prices are determined by each distributor...

(03-15-2019 03:34 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  OK ... I'll admit my ignorance. Fill me in on Packer and Durham. Why are they so good?


And is this in fact the news Bilas was referencing?

The sons of Billy Packer and Woody Durham bring a depth of knowledge of the history of the conference.
Billy Packer along with Jim Thacker were "the" broadcast team for ACC basketball. Packer went on to team with Al McGuire to broadcast college hoops for NBC.
Woody Durham was the legendary play-by-play man for Carolina for 40 years.
Both Mark and Wes are very accomplished in their own rights.......but those apples didn't fall too far from their respective trees.
Both of these guys KNOW the ACC, they are that good, and they will represent and present Louisville with pride.

(03-15-2019 07:45 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-15-2019 03:34 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  OK ... I'll admit my ignorance. Fill me in on Packer and Durham. Why are they so good?


And is this in fact the news Bilas was referencing?

The sons of Billy Packer and Woody Durham bring a depth of knowledge of the history of the conference.
Billy Packer along with Jim Thacker were "the" broadcast team for ACC basketball. Packer went on to team with Al McGuire to broadcast college hoops for NBC.
Woody Durham was the legendary play-by-play man for Carolina for 40 years.
Both Mark and Wes are very accomplished in their own rights.......but those apples didn't fall too far from their respective trees.
Both of these guys KNOW the ACC, they are that good, and they will represent and present Louisville with pride.

And I would add to this...they're not just accomplished in their own rights, but they are their own people (despite Wes sounding like his dad). Having been pretty well exposed to both guys, I don't think either one is their father just reincarnated, or particularly pulls that much of their father's "schtick".

The big advantage of their "names" is that few people are as versed in ACC sports having grown up in it. They've got a handle on what makes the ACC that might not be rivaled anywhere. No matter how good a broadcaster someone might be, you can't just plug in some former athlete from New Jersey who committed to UVA in 1995 and have the intrinsic knowledge these guys do. You can study all the old stats and results, but these guys know the cultural history of the ACC, the rivalries, the eras, etc.

But what I really like from these guys is their personality and humor. They're great storytellers. They are different, Packer is a more traditional radio host and knows how to prioritize entertainment, but Wes Durham is low key a very funny guy on the radio. He's dry and witty.

I don't know their chemistry together, but they are people that I could literally listen to for hours, and there aren't that many of those. I expect that people that are not familiar with them are going to enjoy it.

(03-18-2019 09:59 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  

(03-15-2019 07:45 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-15-2019 03:34 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  OK ... I'll admit my ignorance. Fill me in on Packer and Durham. Why are they so good?


And is this in fact the news Bilas was referencing?

The sons of Billy Packer and Woody Durham bring a depth of knowledge of the history of the conference.
Billy Packer along with Jim Thacker were "the" broadcast team for ACC basketball. Packer went on to team with Al McGuire to broadcast college hoops for NBC.
Woody Durham was the legendary play-by-play man for Carolina for 40 years.
Both Mark and Wes are very accomplished in their own rights.......but those apples didn't fall too far from their respective trees.
Both of these guys KNOW the ACC, they are that good, and they will represent and present Louisville with pride.

And I would add to this...they're not just accomplished in their own rights, but they are their own people (despite Wes sounding like his dad). Having been pretty well exposed to both guys, I don't think either one is their father just reincarnated, or particularly pulls that much of their father's "schtick".

The big advantage of their "names" is that few people are as versed in ACC sports having grown up in it. They've got a handle on what makes the ACC that might not be rivaled anywhere. No matter how good a broadcaster someone might be, you can't just plug in some former athlete from New Jersey who committed to UVA in 1995 and have the intrinsic knowledge these guys do. You can study all the old stats and results, but these guys know the cultural history of the ACC, the rivalries, the eras, etc.

But what I really like from these guys is their personality and humor. They're great storytellers. They are different, Packer is a more traditional radio host and knows how to prioritize entertainment, but Wes Durham is low key a very funny guy on the radio. He's dry and witty.

I don't know their chemistry together, but they are people that I could literally listen to for hours, and there aren't that many of those. I expect that people that are not familiar with them are going to enjoy it.

Something else I like: the ACCN isn't shaping up to be SECN-lite, but rather something very different (and well suited to the ACC, as far as I can see).

(03-18-2019 10:24 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-18-2019 09:59 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  

(03-15-2019 07:45 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-15-2019 03:34 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  OK ... I'll admit my ignorance. Fill me in on Packer and Durham. Why are they so good?


And is this in fact the news Bilas was referencing?

The sons of Billy Packer and Woody Durham bring a depth of knowledge of the history of the conference.
Billy Packer along with Jim Thacker were "the" broadcast team for ACC basketball. Packer went on to team with Al McGuire to broadcast college hoops for NBC.
Woody Durham was the legendary play-by-play man for Carolina for 40 years.
Both Mark and Wes are very accomplished in their own rights.......but those apples didn't fall too far from their respective trees.
Both of these guys KNOW the ACC, they are that good, and they will represent and present Louisville with pride.

And I would add to this...they're not just accomplished in their own rights, but they are their own people (despite Wes sounding like his dad). Having been pretty well exposed to both guys, I don't think either one is their father just reincarnated, or particularly pulls that much of their father's "schtick".

The big advantage of their "names" is that few people are as versed in ACC sports having grown up in it. They've got a handle on what makes the ACC that might not be rivaled anywhere. No matter how good a broadcaster someone might be, you can't just plug in some former athlete from New Jersey who committed to UVA in 1995 and have the intrinsic knowledge these guys do. You can study all the old stats and results, but these guys know the cultural history of the ACC, the rivalries, the eras, etc.

But what I really like from these guys is their personality and humor. They're great storytellers. They are different, Packer is a more traditional radio host and knows how to prioritize entertainment, but Wes Durham is low key a very funny guy on the radio. He's dry and witty.

I don't know their chemistry together, but they are people that I could literally listen to for hours, and there aren't that many of those. I expect that people that are not familiar with them are going to enjoy it.

Something else I like: the ACCN isn't shaping up to be SECN-lite, but rather something very different (and well suited to the ACC, as far as I can see).

Agree. I don't have a problem, in fact I welcome it. I don't think you try to out-do "It just means more." Because you can't.

Don't get me wrong, I'm more of an SEC style fan of a more SEC style program. But you can't outdo the SEC at their own game.

The face of the conference right now is Dabo Swinney. They guy is obviously great, but he's a little silly, entertaining as hell, and HAVING FUN. I would be more than happy to see the ACC's overall aura to be more Dabo Swinney, Dino Babers, Buzz Williams than Saban, Pruitt, Muschamp, Fisher, etc.

Now, don't get me wrong, you've got to be good at sports. That's non-negotiable. But if you can be good at sports, and fun as hell, now you've got something a hell of a lot better than just "Almost as good as the SEC".

The ACC Network is an opportunity for branding, and I certainly hope that brand is something more than "We're closer to the SEC than you think!" So far, looks pretty good. I hope more of their shoulder programming leans into humor and entertainment and less "this is very serious business".

We better get a few folks who have background in knowing Big East and Eastern Indy history. So far it is a Piedmont Love Fest on the radio

(03-18-2019 12:25 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  We better get a few folks who have background in knowing Big East and Eastern Indy history. So far it is a Piedmont Love Fest on the radio

Why?

(03-18-2019 03:01 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-18-2019 12:25 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  We better get a few folks who have background in knowing Big East and Eastern Indy history. So far it is a Piedmont Love Fest on the radio

Why?

I listen to the ACC radio station quite a bit...I have never heard the Syracuse promo spot. That is for a starter.

I think they need a few more personalities that can talk the history of teams outside the usual suspects.

(03-18-2019 08:08 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(03-18-2019 03:01 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-18-2019 12:25 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  We better get a few folks who have background in knowing Big East and Eastern Indy history. So far it is a Piedmont Love Fest on the radio

Why?

I listen to the ACC radio station quite a bit...I have never heard the Syracuse promo spot. That is for a starter.

I think they need a few more personalities that can talk the history of teams outside the usual suspects.

Of course I'm messing with you... Yes, there are now ACC schools outside of the Carolinas!

I have XM satellite radio too and I think Mark Packer is OK. He’s not my favorite but he’s also not the worst by any means. I don’t go out of my way to listen to him because it’s a lot of the same old rah-rah, sis boom-bah bull**** that you can get anywhere.

He will say things like, “Playing at night in Death Valley...I gotta tell ya, it can be done, it can definitely be done. But it is a really tough assignment.”

Well, no ****, Pack!

I guess I just think that if you are a satellite radio listener, you’re probably a big enough fan that you’v got the basics down and you probably want a little more in depth analysis. I know I do.

I do think Pack at least gives you glimpses of authenticity. Many of their personalities won’t even give you that. I think their morning show with Taylor Zarzour and Greg McElroy is unlistenable. It’s the most boring radio show ever produced.

As for Wes Durham, I think he is a good play by play guy. He has a great voice and he certainly seems knowledgeable. I can’t stand him with that Bates guy. That guy is a goofball and it just feels like you’re watching being force fed bad dad jokes for three and a half hours. It’s just a bad broadcast.

Then, you get *expert analysis* [/align]from Terry Bowden and Takeo Spikes in the studio and you have something truly special.

Packer and Durham are together on ACC this morning on XM radio from 7-10 Monday through Friday on the ACC channel. It is my understanding that this show will be televised and simulcast on the ACC network during the same time frame. They are a good pairing with good chemistry, They do a good job of covering all the ACC schools.

By the way I thought I had heard that each ACC school other than Duke would have a conference basketball game in November. If so, we’ve got another announcement coming. Of course, I expect other announcements anyway for play by play and color announcers for the network as well as on air studio personnel. I would also expect announcement of some roles, perhaps limited in some cases, for people such as Bilas, Jay Williams, Seth Greenberg, Tommy Bowden, etc. I think there will be several press conferences.

By the way, I really want Dan Bonner and Mike Gminski doing basketball color on the ACC network. Who do the fans of the more football centric schools and the newer ACC schools want? I don’t mind Laphonso Ellis. Is he popular beyond Notre Dame fans? That’s where he played, isn’t it? Who else is there with ACC ties?

(03-21-2019 09:29 PM)Hallcity Wrote:  By the way I thought I had heard that each ACC school other than Duke would have a conference basketball game in November. If so, we’ve got another announcement coming.

Something like this?

http://theacc.com/news/2019/3/15/mens-ba...games.aspx

(03-21-2019 09:29 PM)Hallcity Wrote:  By the way I thought I had heard that each ACC school other than Duke would have a conference basketball game in November. If so, we’ve got another announcement coming. Of course, I expect other announcements anyway for play by play and color announcers for the network as well as on air studio personnel. I would also expect announcement of some roles, perhaps limited in some cases, for people such as Bilas, Jay Williams, Seth Greenberg, Tommy Bowden, etc. I think there will be several press conferences.

By the way, I really want Dan Bonner and Mike Gminski doing basketball color on the ACC network. Who do the fans of the more football centric schools and the newer ACC schools want? I don’t mind Laphonso Ellis. Is he popular beyond Notre Dame fans? That’s where he played, isn’t it? Who else is there with ACC ties?

Sean McDonough went to Syracuse. So did Beth Mowins. Two professionals.
Danny Kanell played QB for FSU, does a nice job IMO.
Samantha Ponder went to Liberty, married a Seminole (Christian).
That's about all I can think of at the moment.