Better hold on, Walton’s ride a doozy
Arkansas’ performance in Monday’s 75-64 loss at California in the National Invitation Tournament may not be remembered by Razorbacks fans as much as Bill Walton’s commentary on the ESPN2 broadcast.
The Basketball Hall of Famer was paired with play-by-play broadcaster Roxy Bernstein in Berkeley, Calif., and for two hours they provided plenty of entertainment as Walton’s material included cycling, the Pacific-12 Conference and dogs.
Here are some of the highlights of Walton’s wide-ranging commentary:
After seeing former Arkansas star Corliss Williamson in attendance, Walton brought up the Razorbacks’ loss to UCLA (Walton’s alma mater) in the 1995 national championship game: “George Zidek turned Big Nasty into Big Sissy.”
During the first half, in which Arkansas trailed 31-8 at one point: “Can anything happen on a positive sense here for the Razorbacks, who have come this far on their charter plane.
Can they make a shot or get a rebound and get back in this game?”
After a Razorbacks missed shot: “Arkansas needs to spend time practicing shooting.”
Walton, trying to encourage Arkansas, which trailed 38-23 at halftime: “Keep playing your style, especially when it’s such a delicious style!”
After Bernstein read a promo for the Frozen Four, the NCAA’s hockey final four:
Walton: “So this Frozen Four … is that some sort of drink that you have on spring break or what is this?”
Bernstein: “It probably is somewhere. But that’s actually the Frozen Four, it’s for ice hockey.”
Walton: “Ice hockey?”
Bernstein: “I know you’re big into cycling, Bill, but when was the last time you were on ice skates?”
Walton: “It’s been more than a couple of days. Wayne Gretzky, that guy he could skate.”
Bernstein: “That’s why he was called “The Great One.”
Walton: “He could think too.
He saw things before anybody else did. Saw things before they happened. That’s the way that Ricky Kreklow has played here tonight.”
Walton on visiting Hogback Ranch in Utah:
Walton: “Have you ever visited Hogback Ridge in southern Utah?”
Bernstein: “I have not.”
Walton: “One of the most spectacular places and remote places in the world.”
Bernstein: “Where in Southern Utah is it?”
Walton: “It’s between Boulder and Escalante. Escalante, the stair steps that lead up from the Grand Canyon all the way to Bryce and Zion Park. But Boulder, right next to Hogback Ridge, is a very narrow ridge of a road that comes over the top of it. It’s spectacular.
They didn’t get electricity, they were so remote, until 1947.”
Bernstein: “[Tyrone] Wallace has his shot blocked. Six on the shot clock for Cal.”
Walton: “But if you’re ever in Southern Utah, go to the Hogback Ridge. It will completely change your life forever, one of the most spectacular, beautiful places in the world!”
As the game was ending:
Walton: “Thank you, for a real good time!”
Bernstein: “It was fun, Bill!”
Walton: “A great night of basketball here in Berkeley, the epicenter of the world.”
Arkansas fans might beg to differ, Bill.
Quote of the day
“This is the right time to be winning.”
Tennessee’s Jarnell Stokes on the Volunteers, who have win eight of their past nine games and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
Sports, Pages 20 on 03/26/2014