While there were a couple idle days a week or so ago, there is a plethora of basketball travel for this guy this week.
I’m not heading hither and yon, though, because there is all I can get to close to home.
First up is a congratulations to our local high school teams.
While there wasn’t the success everyone likes to have, I know from talking to players, coaches, parents and fans that this was a good season. Lots of growth as players and people, improvement as the season went along. Sometimes that is all we can ask for.
There is a congratulations going to Wabash, however, where there was success. A tremendous finish to the regular season, a conference tournament championship and another appearance in the national tournament. Way to go guys.
I’m on wheels all this week, and all over the place.
There was a Sunday, Wednesday and will be a next Monday trip to Indy for Pacers work.
There was a Tuesday trip to Butler for their NIT game against Minnesota. It was close and exciting, but the Bulldogs lost by one I had an interesting night working the game for ESPNU.
I got to work the first game for an announcer!
Myron Medcalf got to do his first play by play for a men’s basketball game. He has been a sideline reporter for the network for years, and is a really hard worker and good guy. When he heard I had some experience with a few announcers, he had some good questions, and took a few hints. He did a very good job. I don’t think my Fox NFL guys need to be worried just yet, but it was sure a good first game.
He was working with Tom Crean, the former Indiana coach, who brought a lot of knowledge obviously and that gave Myron another person to lean on. They had a close and exciting game, which every announcer loves because it makes the game easy to call. You can’t have a better place to call your first game than Hinkle Fieldhouse, and everything went very well. Except for the Butler losing part of course.
I was also very surprised to learn that Coach Crean had never coached a game at Hinkle. He had been to games recruiting, but never worked one there. Another good experience.
Back on the road…
I mentioned the Pacers last night (Wednesday). I had to turn down an offer to go to Terre Haute to cover the Indiana State game. They are also in the NIT. I won’t go into the whole deal about them not making the NCAA event…
Thursday is a trip to Gainbridge to prep for NCAA games in Indy on Friday. The second set of games is Sunday.
I won’t go to Indy Saturday, though, for some more practice and prep because I am heading to Bloomington for women’s games.
The Hoosiers gals are hosting first round games at Assembly Hall. I’ve got two on Saturday afternoon.
So there is wide range of games. At a few locations, but I’m plenty happy to be able to hop in the jalopy and sleep in my own house.
Or at least I hope in my house - I haven’t heard any forecasts of bad weather. My car will be for transportation only and not lodging…
It’s that busy time of year. The fun part is that the call to work at Tuesday’s Butler game came on Monday morning, the call to work at Terre Haute came on Tuesday, and the call for Saturday came on Wednesday. Love the last-second helter-skelter.
Now, I’m not the person doing all the scheduling, so I know it isn’t what it is cracked up to be.
I’m not sure what gives for next week. If the Sycamores win, there could be a game there. There are always more Pacers games on the horizon.
I know I won’t be doing any basketball stuff next weekend though. Spring football starts!
I have trip to Dallas for a UFL game. The email to set up credentials was there Monday.
I hope everyone is having a nice start to the second half of March, and I hope everyone had a great first day of Spring, which I believe was Tuesday.
I did have to turn down one other offer, now that I think of it.
Codey asked if I could cover the first high school softball game of the season. It’s getting to be that time on the calendar too.
We won’t chat again until after Easter, so I hope everyone has a happy and blessed Easter. Not too many chocolate rabbits…
Safe travels.
Jeff Nelson is a frequent contributor to the Journal Review and works professionally for Fox Sports assisting with NFL broadcasts and the Indiana Pacers.
