Spring Break
Which ESPN analyst hates UConn more?
Kevin Duffy and Max Jabbonsky
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Sports
Whenever the name "Digger Phelps" is uttered, I can't help but think of three things: how he annoyingly matches his highlighters and ties, his affinity for touching Bob Knight and, obviously, his pure hatred for UConn basketball. Despite the fact that Jim Calhoun's teams have historically been among the best in the nation, the former Notre Dame coach refuses to give them the credit that they deserve. The name "Digger" has nothing to do with the fact that Phelps spent his youth working at his father's funeral service, as is popularly thought. In actuality, it is due to the ESPN Basketball analyst's knack for insulting the student-athletes who represent the Huskies.
There are a lot of UConn haters out there, but no one hates the Huskies with the passion and absurdity that Robert Smith does. Smith, a former All-Pro running back with the Minnesota Vikings and current ESPN College Football analyst, just straight up hates on UConn football for no reason. Not only does he refuse to pick UConn in games against MAC teams like Buffalo, but he doesn't give the Huskies any credit for anything they do. The guy is a hater.
Kevin Duffy: Here's the difference between Phelps and Smith: Phelps' hatred of UConn comes from his well-documented Notre Dame bias. Phelps likes two Big East teams - Notre Dame and Pitt. He only likes Pitt because Bobby Knight had this weird obsession with the Panthers last season, and we all know Phelps has had a weird obsession with Bobby Knight for quite some time now. Smith hates UConn for absolutely no reason. He went to Ohio State, a program that isn't exactly UConn's rival.
Max Jabbonsky: Phelps' time as coach of the Fighting Irish can be summed up by a few shining moments - including seven upset wins over No. 1 ranked teams - but he was never able to reach the a championship himself. This has clearly had a negative effect on his analysis, as an inferiority complex has resulted in anti-UConn bias. Smith, on the other hand, is simply a victim of his own ignorance. Coming from a large football program at OSU, he is unwilling to give a relatively small program its due. When Randy Edsall has completed building the program here in Storrs, Smith will be forced to hate on the next building program.
There are a lot of UConn haters out there, but no one hates the Huskies with the passion and absurdity that Robert Smith does. Smith, a former All-Pro running back with the Minnesota Vikings and current ESPN College Football analyst, just straight up hates on UConn football for no reason. Not only does he refuse to pick UConn in games against MAC teams like Buffalo, but he doesn't give the Huskies any credit for anything they do. The guy is a hater.
Kevin Duffy: Here's the difference between Phelps and Smith: Phelps' hatred of UConn comes from his well-documented Notre Dame bias. Phelps likes two Big East teams - Notre Dame and Pitt. He only likes Pitt because Bobby Knight had this weird obsession with the Panthers last season, and we all know Phelps has had a weird obsession with Bobby Knight for quite some time now. Smith hates UConn for absolutely no reason. He went to Ohio State, a program that isn't exactly UConn's rival.
Max Jabbonsky: Phelps' time as coach of the Fighting Irish can be summed up by a few shining moments - including seven upset wins over No. 1 ranked teams - but he was never able to reach the a championship himself. This has clearly had a negative effect on his analysis, as an inferiority complex has resulted in anti-UConn bias. Smith, on the other hand, is simply a victim of his own ignorance. Coming from a large football program at OSU, he is unwilling to give a relatively small program its due. When Randy Edsall has completed building the program here in Storrs, Smith will be forced to hate on the next building program.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Tom
posted 2/18/09 @ 8:48 PM EST
Bobby Knight doesn't know anything about basketball! He's the leader in wins but that doesn't mean anything! It does? Well, who would have thought winning and graduating players is more important than being considered a 'good ole boy'? He may be a jerk but he's a very successful jerk. (Continued…)
Putski
posted 2/19/09 @ 8:33 AM EST
What, no mention of Billy Packer? I know he was fired and all, but he deserves a mention. Billy would have sucked Coach K's cock if he had a chance.
Post a Comment