Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Nation Magazine Feature: Bill Raftery
12.30.15 | Men's Basketball, Athletic Department
…with the kiss!
Xavier Nation Magazine debuted in November 2014 as a publication produced by Xavier Athletics, designed specifically for its passionate and supportive fans. Xavier Nation aims to bring the alumni, fans and friends of Xavier content that can't be found anywhere else. The magazine goes beyond the statistics and history of a traditional media guide with stories that bring to life the coaches and athletes who represent Xavier.
Read one of the features from the magazine about FOX Sports 1 analyst Bill Raftery, who will be on the call for tomorrow's men's basketball game at Villanova.
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Long before Xavier was part of the BIG EAST, Bill Raftery was; before there was a BIG EAST, there was Raftery, who became head coach at Seton Hall in 1970—nine years before the conference was founded—and stayed through 1981 when he turned his attention to broadcasting.
Now Raftery, a longtime fixture on CBS and ESPN basketball broadcasts, is the lead analyst for BIG EAST basketball on FS1, and last season called his first Final Four for TV (he'd done 23 straight on radio). Raftery may be 72, but his catchphrases—"MantoMan!" "Onions!" "With the kiss!"—have endeared him to fans a quarter his age. Raftery, the keynote speaker at the All For One Fund's Night of Excellence in August, met with reporters beforehand, and Xavier Nation was there.
On Xavier as a BIG EAST program: I think it's certainly a complement to the league to have them come in after their great success. I had the good fortune of following them, doing the Atlantic 10 championship for CBS, so I know what's happened here.… The tradition is something that's rich, the building here, the competitive zeal, the NCAA opportunities they've been involved in, speak well. It enhances the image of the conference at a time when, at the beginning, people weren't so sure this thing would happen.
On the BIG EAST returning to its basketball roots: I think to stay alive, the football entities sort of became the overpowering decision-makers. Hopefully this will sustain itself. I think [focusing on basketball] is a healthy recruiting weapon, and I think with FOX's exposure, you can compete with any conference.
On Xavier taking the next step to a Final Four: We were great pals of [late North Carolina coach] Dean Smith, and for years nobody thought he could coach because he hadn't won a championship. But everyone in the business had the utmost respect for him.… I think that's what exists here at Xavier. It's a great program; they handle themselves extremely well.… You just have to be patient. You just keep knocking on the door.
On how Chris Mack is regarded in college basketball: In the old days, the [BIG EAST] coaches all had first names: There was Louie [Carnesecca, St. John's], and Jimmy [Boeheim, Syracuse] and John [Thompson, Georgetown], and Billy. I think this will be a first-name group too, as the years go on, Chris being one of them.… We enjoy the preparation part of it, coming in the morning of games, watching different coaches get ready. He covers everything. He provides the players an opportunity to be successful, and that's what great coaches do.
On finally calling a Final Four for TV: I'm so old, they figured, better give that guy a shot before he throws a seven.… It was nice to have people say good things, but I think it all boils down to, people watch the event.
On finding a steak in Cincinnati: We work late and we're usually downtown, so somewhere around there. Jeff Ruby's or The Precinct. Morton's is always good.
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Read one of the features from the magazine about FOX Sports 1 analyst Bill Raftery, who will be on the call for tomorrow's men's basketball game at Villanova.
Â
Long before Xavier was part of the BIG EAST, Bill Raftery was; before there was a BIG EAST, there was Raftery, who became head coach at Seton Hall in 1970—nine years before the conference was founded—and stayed through 1981 when he turned his attention to broadcasting.
Now Raftery, a longtime fixture on CBS and ESPN basketball broadcasts, is the lead analyst for BIG EAST basketball on FS1, and last season called his first Final Four for TV (he'd done 23 straight on radio). Raftery may be 72, but his catchphrases—"MantoMan!" "Onions!" "With the kiss!"—have endeared him to fans a quarter his age. Raftery, the keynote speaker at the All For One Fund's Night of Excellence in August, met with reporters beforehand, and Xavier Nation was there.
On Xavier as a BIG EAST program: I think it's certainly a complement to the league to have them come in after their great success. I had the good fortune of following them, doing the Atlantic 10 championship for CBS, so I know what's happened here.… The tradition is something that's rich, the building here, the competitive zeal, the NCAA opportunities they've been involved in, speak well. It enhances the image of the conference at a time when, at the beginning, people weren't so sure this thing would happen.
On the BIG EAST returning to its basketball roots: I think to stay alive, the football entities sort of became the overpowering decision-makers. Hopefully this will sustain itself. I think [focusing on basketball] is a healthy recruiting weapon, and I think with FOX's exposure, you can compete with any conference.
On Xavier taking the next step to a Final Four: We were great pals of [late North Carolina coach] Dean Smith, and for years nobody thought he could coach because he hadn't won a championship. But everyone in the business had the utmost respect for him.… I think that's what exists here at Xavier. It's a great program; they handle themselves extremely well.… You just have to be patient. You just keep knocking on the door.
On how Chris Mack is regarded in college basketball: In the old days, the [BIG EAST] coaches all had first names: There was Louie [Carnesecca, St. John's], and Jimmy [Boeheim, Syracuse] and John [Thompson, Georgetown], and Billy. I think this will be a first-name group too, as the years go on, Chris being one of them.… We enjoy the preparation part of it, coming in the morning of games, watching different coaches get ready. He covers everything. He provides the players an opportunity to be successful, and that's what great coaches do.
On finally calling a Final Four for TV: I'm so old, they figured, better give that guy a shot before he throws a seven.… It was nice to have people say good things, but I think it all boils down to, people watch the event.
On finding a steak in Cincinnati: We work late and we're usually downtown, so somewhere around there. Jeff Ruby's or The Precinct. Morton's is always good.
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