The Final Four is one of the most premier destinations in all of college sports, so of course, the broadcast is expected to deliver its best.
Instead, we got this:
TBS had an absolutely packed desk as Magic Johnson and Dr. James Naismith (Will Forte) joined the Final Four crew in what was basically a seven-minute Capital One ad. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/WUuqwbsiy9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 5, 2026
7 analysts, one being a deceased James Naismith (Will Forte), led to a slew of upset basketball fans, calling the segment “bizarre”, “bust”, and “amateur”:
What is this bullshit with “Dr. Naismith”
— Drew Shirley Law (@drewshirleylaw) April 5, 2026
What in the bloody hell are we doing here? SEVEN people at the desk?!
Dr. Naismith?!@CBSSports @MM_MBB_TV @TurnerSportsEJ pic.twitter.com/CwbzBuaX0q
— Matt Froehlich (@Matt_Fra_) April 5, 2026
We have to put a stop to panel inflation. 7 people is too damn many pic.twitter.com/bEUQ2aquKn
— GFed (@GfedGoCrazy) April 5, 2026
Pregame show for the biggest and most anticipated game of the college basketball season and they roll out a fake James Naismith segment
Good stuff man pic.twitter.com/KT59lVRwDC
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) April 5, 2026
At least it was better than whatever this was to start the Tournament:
Naismith Orrrrrr Old Ball ?? pic.twitter.com/uG6ZVcZDZ3
— WilliamTyler (@MrWilliamTyler) April 5, 2026
Hopefully, they were saving the best material for the National Championship.
