The hyper-realistic basketball, which CBS debuted this NCAA Tournament, is a literal monstrosity.
Trying to understand why there was a talking basketball in between games today 😅
And equally confused why it kissed Chuck 🤣 pic.twitter.com/54bHbz2fQj
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March 21, 2026
The shriveled basketball, dubbed “Old Ball” or “OB”, is the newest gimmick from CBS Sports to keep us entertained during the *checks notes* best sports weekend of the entire year.
“I’m better looking than that, that looks like Clark” 😂😂
‘OB’ stopped by the set to visit our squad pic.twitter.com/5KdRwABayw
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 21, 2026
It was hard to find a positive review.
If you are gonna make a talking basketball
Don’t make it the most shriveled up disgusting thing that will haunt me in my dreams pic.twitter.com/MLYDofI2qs
— Max Hofmeyer (@hoffy8121) March 21, 2026
Yo @CBSSports, I don’t know what this talking animatronic basketball thing is…
But it’s terrifying. Please kill it. pic.twitter.com/x3YljamL7R
— Nick Yeoman (@NYeoman) March 21, 2026
How did anyone think that was a good idea? Terrible
— MoMoDad (@MoMoDad25) March 21, 2026
Gone are the days of Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson leading the college basketball studio show.