CBS Had To Replace Kenny Smith For Friday's NCAA Tournament Coverage CBS viewers might have noticed a change in the studio setup during Friday’s NCAA Tournament coverage. Kenny Smith, the longtime analyst, was replaced by Renee Montgomery, a former NBA and NCAA champion, who joined Adam Zucker and Charles Barkley at the desk. Zucker mentioned that Smith was “under the weather” for the second day of the tournament’s first round. Smith left the studio early on Thursday, departing just before the end of the Howard-Michigan game. The situation was severe enough to keep him at home overnight, though the exact cause remains unclear. Barkley, Smith’s longtime broadcasting partner, humorously addressed the situation, joking that Smith might have taken the day off to enjoy a beach vacation. “Keep your shirt on at the beach, Kenny,” Barkley quipped, after the rest of the desk wished him well. The tweet, shared by Awful Announcing, highlighted the lighthearted moment, with the hashtag #MarchMadness and #NCAATournament. While Smith’s absence could be due to illness—given his age of 61—some fans speculated he might be struggling emotionally after his alma mater, North Carolina, suffered a dismal day. The Tar Heels’ performance took a sharp turn, starting with fans initially mocking arch-rival Duke for losing to a 16-seeded team, Siena. However, Duke advanced to the Round of 32, while UNC’s own team was eliminated by an 11-seeded VCU squad. This marked UNC’s second consecutive one-and-done exit in the Round of 64 under head coach Hubert Davis. Fan reactions quickly turned to humor, with some suggesting Smith’s absence might be due to emotional distress rather than illness. One user joked, “Is he under the weather or crying about the UNC loss?” Another remarked, “That’s funny. Kenny seemed fine when Siena was winning.#ncaa_tournament #kenny_smith #charles_barkley #adam_zucker #rene_e_montgomery
Renee Montgomery replaces Kenny Smith in NCAA Tournament studio coverage CBS and TNT Sports faced multiple absences during the 2026 NCAA Tournament due to illness, with a notable change occurring during Friday’s Round of 64 coverage. Renee Montgomery took over the main desk in New York, stepping in for Kenny Smith, who was absent due to illness. Host Adam Zucker introduced the day’s broadcast, acknowledging Smith’s absence and sharing a get-well message. Smith had already exited late night coverage on Thursday after missing the Michigan-Howard game, leaving the set without him. Montgomery joined Zucker, Clark Kellogg, and Charles Barkley for the studio segment. Barkley humorously teased Smith by joking about keeping his shirt on at the beach, referencing their longtime collaboration on Inside the NBA. Montgomery’s substitution marked her first major opportunity in NCAA Tournament coverage, though she is better known for her work with CBS’s WNBA broadcasts. Smith’s absence followed Brian Anderson’s withdrawal from play-by-play duties on Thursday, as he was sidelined by illness. Anderson, who called the NC State-Texas game alongside Barkley and Dick Vitale, sounded hoarse during the First Four contest. He was replaced by Jason Benetti on CBS/TNT but is expected to return to commentary on Saturday. Montgomery, a studio analyst for CBS’s WNBA coverage, has a distinguished career both as a player and advocate. She won two WNBA championships during her playing days and is currently a part-owner of the Atlanta Dream. She also led social justice initiatives, including a decision to sit out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on the Black Lives Matter movement. This role in NCAA Tournament coverage represents a significant milestone for Montgomery, offering her exposure to a broader audience.#kenny_smith #charles_barkley #adam_zucker #renee_montgomery #cbs_tnt_sports
Selection Sunday Announcers 2026: CBS Lineup Revealed The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s Selection Sunday will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET, with the bracket reveal set to broadcast on CBS. The event marks the beginning of the college basketball season’s most anticipated moment, as teams are matched against one another in a process that determines the path to the national championship. The bracket’s unveiling will feature a mix of established analysts and familiar faces, with the broadcast team offering insights into the matchups and potential upsets. Adam Zucker, based in New York, will serve as the primary host for the selection show. Joining him at the desk will be Clark Kellogg, Jay Wright, and Seth Davis. The panel will provide commentary on the seeding process, the implications of each team’s placement, and the likelihood of underdog stories emerging. The broadcast is expected to highlight the competitive dynamics of the tournament, with analysts breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the teams involved. The selection process itself involves a committee of experts who evaluate teams based on criteria such as win-loss records, strength of schedule, and performance in key games. The final rankings will determine which teams advance to the next round, setting the stage for the March Madness journey. Fans tuning in will get a glimpse into the strategic decisions behind the bracket, as well as predictions for the upcoming season. This year’s broadcast will continue the tradition of blending analysis with entertainment, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how the tournament’s structure is shaped. The presence of seasoned commentators like Wright and Davis, alongside Zucker and Kellogg, ensures a mix of expertise and engaging storytelling.#ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #cbs #adam_zucker #clark_kellogg #jay_wright
