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ESPN has a large roster of basketball announcers, including play-by-play announcers, analysts, and sideline reporters. On March 11, 2025, Mark Neely and Fran Fraschilla announced the Arizona State vs. Kansas State game on ESPN+, while Matt Schumacker and Randolph Childress announced the Maine at Vermont game on the same platform. On March 9, 2025, it was announced that Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman would not be covering the ACC tournament as they usually do, with Dave O'Brien and Cory Alexander taking their place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 11, 2025 |
| Game | Arizona State vs. Kansas State |
| Time | 7 p.m. |
| Announcers | Mark Neely/Fran Fraschilla |
| Game | Central Florida vs. Utah |
| Time | 9:30 p.m. |
| Announcers | Dave Ryan/Pete Gillen//Brandon Baylor |
| Game | Maine at Vermont |
| Time | 7 p.m. |
| Announcers | Matt Schumacker/Randolph Childress |
| Game | Albany at Bryant |
| Time | 9 p.m. |
| Announcers | Wes Durham/Cory Alexander/Jim Boeheim |
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What You'll Learn
Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman
Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas are two of the most recognisable names in basketball broadcasting. Both men have extensive experience in the game and have become synonymous with ESPN's coverage of the sport.
Shulman began his broadcasting career at the University of Western Ontario, becoming a main voice of university football and basketball for the Western Mustangs. He later moved to radio station CKBB in Barrie, where he also volunteered for the local community television station. During the early 1990s, he was hired by Fan 1430, a sports radio station in Toronto, and would go on to host Prime Time Sports. Shulman joined ESPN in 2001, covering sporting events like baseball and college basketball. He remains the network's lead announcer for NCAA basketball.
Jay Bilas, meanwhile, is a former professional basketball player and coach. He played for and served as an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University, where he was part of the highest-scoring single class in college basketball history. Bilas joined ESPN in 1995 as a college basketball analyst and has served as co-host of ESPN's studio broadcasts since 2000. He has also been a colour commentator for ESPN since 1995 and is a featured basketball writer on ESPN.com.
Together, Shulman and Bilas bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to ESPN's basketball coverage. Their insights and commentary have no doubt enhanced the viewing experience for basketball fans around the world.
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Dave O'Brien and Cory Alexander
Cory Alexander, on the other hand, is a former professional basketball player turned broadcaster. His playing career spanned seven seasons in the NBA, where he represented the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Bobcats. Alexander's journey to broadcasting began after his retirement from professional basketball. He joined ESPN in 2009 as a college basketball analyst, bringing his expertise and insights to the screen. Alexander's playing career began at the University of Virginia, where he played for the Virginia Cavaliers from 1991 to 1995, achieving notable milestones during his college basketball career.
The duo of Dave O'Brien and Cory Alexander brings a unique blend of broadcasting experience and on-court expertise to the viewers. Their combined knowledge of the game, coupled with their ability to engage and inform audiences, makes them a dynamic team for ESPN's basketball coverage.
While it is unclear if they have worked together before, their individual contributions to the world of basketball broadcasting are significant. O'Brien, with his extensive experience across multiple sports, provides a veteran presence and a smooth delivery of play-by-play action. Alexander, drawing from his own playing career, offers insightful analysis and a player's perspective, enhancing the viewing experience for basketball fans.
Together, they showcase a seamless blend of commentary and analysis, providing viewers with a comprehensive and enjoyable understanding of the game. Their partnership exemplifies the effective combination of seasoned broadcasters and former players in the world of sports broadcasting.
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Matt Schumacker and Randolph Childress
Matt Schumacker is a play-by-play announcer and has worked on ESPN 107.5 / ESPN 1070 The Fan. He has also contributed to the expansion of Butlersports.com's live broadcast feature and served as an announcer for Butler Women's Volleyball and Men's and Women's Soccer.
Randolph Childress, on the other hand, is an American former professional basketball player. He played collegiately at Wake Forest University, where he averaged 18.4 points per game over his four-year career. In 1995, he had one of the most outstanding ACC Tournament performances of all time, leading to him being named tournament MVP. That year, he was also honoured as the ACC Male Athlete of the Year. Childress was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1995 NBA draft. He played for the Pistons and the Portland Trail Blazers during his two-season NBA career. After leaving the NBA, he played in Turkey, Australia, and Italy. Childress then returned to Wake Forest University in 2012 as the director of player development and was promoted to assistant coach the following year. He left the coaching staff in 2021 to take on a strategic role with the athletic department.
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Mark Neely and Fran Fraschilla
Mark Neely is an American sportscaster who currently serves as a play-by-play announcer for ESPN College Football, College Basketball on ESPN, and NBA on ESPN. Neely attended the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas, graduating from the latter. He has called a number of college football bowl games for ESPN, including the 2010 New Orleans Bowl, 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, 2014 New Mexico Bowl, and 2015 Cactus Bowl. In 2007, he was hired by Fox's Big Ten Network to call NCAA sports such as basketball and football.
Fran Fraschilla is an American basketball commentator and former college basketball coach. He attended James Madison High School and graduated from Brooklyn College. Fraschilla served as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island, Ohio University, Ohio State University, and Providence College. He then served as head men's basketball coach at Manhattan College, St. John's University, and the University of New Mexico before joining ESPN as a broadcast analyst. He currently serves as a game analyst on Big Monday broadcasts, covering primarily Big 12 action, and as a studio analyst for ESPN college basketball programming. He also covers the NBA draft, focusing mostly on foreign players. His son, James Fraschilla, played for the University of Oklahoma men's basketball team and was nominated for the Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year Award.
On March 11, 2025, Mark Neely and Fran Fraschilla announced the Arizona State vs. Kansas State game on ESPN+.
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Jordan Bernfield and David Padgett
David Padgett, on the other hand, is an American former basketball coach and player. As a college basketball player, he played for the University of Louisville after transferring from the University of Kansas. Padgett was a highly-rated prospect coming out of high school, averaging 27 points and 14 rebounds per game his senior year. He was a McDonald's High School and first-team Parade All-American, and a member of the 2004 USA Basketball Junior World Championship Qualifying Team, winning a gold medal. Padgett's college career was successful, serving as team captain at Louisville and putting up impressive statistics. He was named to the All-Big East Conference Second Team and was an Elite Eight finalist in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, despite losing to the Tar Heels. After going undrafted in the NBA, Padgett signed with the Miami Heat's summer league team but was later waived. He spent time playing in Spain and with the Portland Trail Blazers' summer league team before unofficially retiring and returning to Louisville as a coach. Padgett worked as an assistant strength coach, director of basketball operations, and assistant coach before being named acting head coach in 2017. However, he was not retained after Louisville's loss in the NIT.
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Frequently asked questions
Matt Schumacker and Randolph Childress.
Mark Neely and Fran Fraschilla.
Dave Flemming and Sean Farnham.
