Kenny Smith Absent from Day 2 of CBS NCAA Tournament Coverage Kenny Smith, a key figure on Inside the NBA, was absent from day two of CBS’ NCAA Tournament coverage due to being “under the weather.” His replacement for the studio segment was Renee Montgomery, a two-time WNBA champion who transitioned into broadcasting. Smith participated in the first day of coverage but left the set after No. 1 Michigan’s first-round victory over No. 16 Howard. His exit coincided with VCU’s upset of his alma mater, North Carolina, in a game that ended 82-78. Smith’s departure from the set sparked speculation, with many suggesting it was tied to North Carolina’s loss. The Tar Heels fell to VCU in the first round for the second consecutive season, marking the first time since the 1960s that the program had back-to-back opening-round exits. North Carolina struggled in the final stretch of the game, surrendering 23-8 to VCU. Head coach Hubert Davis acknowledged the team’s missed opportunities, noting that while they had open shots and executed plays, they missed eight free throws. Davis also praised VCU’s resilience, highlighting their ability to mount a comeback despite being down 19 points. Davis emphasized that the loss was not due to a lack of effort, stating, “We had shots at the basket. We had executed plays. And we miss eight free throws. Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in.” He also credited VCU for their determination, calling their comeback “resilient” and acknowledging that mistakes by North Carolina contributed to the defeat. The loss drew criticism from ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg, who criticized Hubert Davis and the North Carolina program for failing to meet the standard expected of the school.#north_carolina #hubert_davis #kenny_smith #vcu #reneemontgomery
