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
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
