Kenny Smith’s absence from CBS March Madness coverage was conspicuous after his alma mater North Carolina suffered a stunning defeat to VCU
Kenny Smith disappeared from the analyst panel following UNC’s first-round NCAA Tournament loss to VCU(Image: CBS)
The current March Madness college basketball tournament has barely begun its initial phase, yet it has already vividly illustrated the volatile nature of fortunes. One minute a broadcaster is comfortably dissecting opponents at halftime, the next their beloved former university suffers a crushing defeat, decimating countless brackets and leading observant viewers to immediately spot a vacant spot at the broadcast desk.
This exact scenario unfolded for Kenny Smith on Thursday evening. The CBS and TNT analyst, who had been providing studio commentary alongside Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg, left the broadcast following North Carolina’s season-ending 82-78 overtime loss to VCU in the South Region’s opening round.
This significant upset was one of several surprises, including an early exit for a top NBA Draft prospect from the tournament, while Charles Barkley also took a sharp jab at an analyst known for supporting Donald Trump.
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Smith, a notable former basketball player for UNC, had participated in pre-game bracket discussions with Barkley. The Tar Heels initially held a strong 39-28 halftime lead and extended their advantage to 18 points early in the second half before their performance unravelled.
VCU, fueled by Terrence Hill Jr.’s persistent effort, mounted an impressive comeback from a 19-point deficit to secure the victory in the extra period. Hill notably scored 34 points, highlighted by a crucial stepback three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime, while Henri Veesaar’s 26 points and 10 rebounds proved insufficient for UNC’s survival.
Smith’s exit gained even more attention due to his prior confidence in North Carolina’s tournament prospects. He had predicted the Tar Heels would overcome Illinois before being defeated by Houston in the Elite Eight, further forecasting a national championship game between Michigan and Michigan State, with the Spartans ultimately triumphing.
Online reactions varied from amusement to accusations of “cowardly behavior,” with many focusing on the empty seat and speculating if he had left prematurely. While some reports suggested Smith might have been unwell, the timing of his departure inevitably led to questions.
For the first time since 1985, the year Smith himself played for the team, the Tar Heels have been eliminated in the round of 64 in back-to-back tournaments.
That season, he averaged 12.0 points and 6.2 assists as part of a UNC roster that included future NBA talents such as Brad Daugherty, Joe Wolf, Jeff Lebo, Dave Popson, and Steve Bucknall. Regardless of whether Smith’s exit was due to illness, disappointment, or simply unfortunate timing, the visual impact was undeniable.
Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis maintained that despite not scoring in the game’s final four minutes, his team still performed effectively during critical moments.
“Missing a shot doesn’t automatically imply something is wrong. We had clear opportunities. We took shots at the hoop. We executed plays as planned,” he explained.
“And we missed eight free throws. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in. You genuinely have to commend VCU,” he added. “Their resilience, coming back from being down 19, to keep fighting and find a way.”