Renee Montgomery Continues to Substitute for Kenny Smith on CBS Coverage March Madness viewers tuning into CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament likely noticed the continued absence of longtime analyst Kenny Smith from the broadcast. For the second consecutive day, Montgomery stepped in to fill his role, with the network attributing Smith’s absence to illness. The network confirmed that Smith missed Friday’s coverage due to sickness, marking another day of Montgomery’s involvement in the broadcast. Montgomery, a former WNBA standout, has consistently delivered strong performances in her broadcasting duties across various events. Her presence on Saturday’s coverage highlighted her ability to adapt to different roles while maintaining the quality of analysis expected from CBS Sports. However, fans and analysts alike have expressed hope that Smith will recover soon and return to the broadcast. The network has not provided specific details about the nature of Smith’s illness, leaving uncertainty about when he might rejoin the coverage. While Montgomery’s contributions have been well-received, the absence of Smith has sparked discussions about the impact of his absence on the broadcast. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on his condition, with some speculating that he may return for Sunday’s games. The situation underscores the reliance on substitute analysts during unexpected absences and the importance of having a versatile team to maintain the integrity of the coverage. As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on the games themselves, but the absence of a familiar voice like Smith has been a notable aspect of the coverage. Montgomery’s continued involvement ensures that the broadcasts remain engaging, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.#cbs_sports #kenny_smith #march_madness #ncaa_men_s_tournament #renee_montgomery
NCAA Men's Tournament Kicks Off with First Four Games The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament officially begins on Tuesday with the First Four games, setting the stage for a season of high-stakes matchups and potential upsets. Two key contests will air on TruTV, featuring No. 16 seeds Howard and UMBC, and No. 11 seeds NC State and Texas. The winners of each game will advance to the first round on Thursday, with the victors facing No. 1 Michigan and No. 6 BYU, respectively. The Howard vs. UMBC matchup highlights the potential for Cinderella stories, as both teams have emerged from their conferences as tournament champions. Howard, led by guards Bryce Harris and Cedric Taylor, enters the tournament on an eight-game winning streak, having dominated the MEAC with a 11-3 conference record. The Bison’s success is bolstered by their strong offensive rebounding and free-throw shooting, averaging over 25 attempts per game with a 73% conversion rate. Their only loss in the last month came in overtime to Yale, a team that narrowly missed NCAA tournament qualification. UMBC, meanwhile, brings a storied history to the First Four, most notably their 2018 upset of No. 1 Virginia. The Retrievers, coached by Ryan Odom before he took over at Virginia, are making their first tournament appearance since that historic run. Under new coach Jim Ferry, UMBC has maintained a strong defensive presence, limiting opponents to just 67 points per game while outscoring them by 13 points on average. The team’s ball-control strategy, with fewer than 10 turnovers per game and just five steals, underscores their disciplined approach. The NC State vs. Texas showdown adds another layer of intrigue, as both teams have faced challenges in their respective conferences.#tru_tv #ncaa_men_s_tournament #first_four #bryce_harris #cedric_taylor
