RIP Billy Packer

[Chip R]

https://theathletic.com/4130159/2023/01/27/billy-packer-dies-ncaa-basketball-announcer/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

[cumberlandreds]

I never cared for Packer's broadcasting that much. He was a joyless broadcaster who took everything too seriously. He also had some definite bias towards ACC teams. He was at his best when doing a game between two ACC teams or two non-ACC teams. He was part of maybe the best sports broadcasting teams of all time with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire. They were must see TV for the few short years they were together. No doubt Packer knew his stuff and he was always well prepared for games. He was part of my youth when I was just getting started watching games and for that I will always be appreciative of him. RIP Billy Packer.

[Tuff Nut]

A legendary broadcaster. RIP

[RichRed]

I never cared for Packer's broadcasting that much. He was a joyless broadcaster who took everything too seriously. He also had some definite bias towards ACC teams. He was at his best when doing a game between two ACC teams or two non-ACC teams. He was part of maybe the best sports broadcasting teams of all time with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire. They were must see TV for the few short years they were together. No doubt Packer knew his stuff and he was always well prepared for games. He was part of my youth when I was just getting started watching games and for that I will always be appreciative of him. RIP Billy Packer.

I didn’t love his broadcasting either even though I was an ACC (especially UVA) fan as a teenager. Still, his is one of those voices from your youth that you miss when it’s gone. Sad to learn of his passing.

[Chip R]

Packer's and McGuire's popularity dovetailed with the increased popularity of college basketball. They were quite the team. University of Iowa basketball began to become a very strong program about the same time and actually went to the Final Four in 1980. Their games were broadcast statewide on over-the-air TV. Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons were must see TV then. Those who watched the national broadcasts with Dick Enberg, McGuire and Packer felt that Packer wore his ACC bias on his sleeve. Some people associated with the University of Iowa rigged up an senior all star game in Cedar Rapids between the Big 10 All Stars and the ACC All Stars. They had Packer coaching the ACC All Stars and McGuire coaching the Big 10 All Stars.

https://www.thegazette.com/history/time-machine-when-cedar-rapids-hosted-all-star-basketball-games-with-top-players-from-acc-big-ten/

[Bourgeois Zee]

Those who watched the national broadcasts with Dick Enberg, McGuire and Packer felt that Packer wore his ACC bias on his sleeve.

Former Demon Deacon always did, IMO. His on-air opinions about the relative strengths of leagues became gospel-- which then influenced seeding, success, hundreds of millions of dollars, recruiting, and ultimately championships.

But... when focusing just on the basketball itself, in a good game, there weren't many who were better at transmuting that excitement in the game (and felt in the stands) through the airwaves into our homes. The trio of Enberg ("Oh, my!"), McGuire, and Packer were exceptional at the drama of the game and a large part of making it into the billion dollar industry it is.

[Kingspoint]

Always made the NCAA tournament a special event.

- - - Updated - - -

He was always correct about the inferior officiating of Pac-12 refs, which did effect the results of games.