Davis Decides to Have All His Game Days With Alma Mater North Carolina
Well, at least Hubert Davis didn't think he was qualified sans coaching experience to be the bench boss of a power six conference akin to colleague Doug Gottlieb. Davis, an analyst for ESPN the past seven years, returned to his alma mater after being hired as an assistant by North Carolina coach Roy Williams.
Davis, recruited by Williams before leaving to become Kansas' coach, was an All-ACC second-team selection as a senior in 1991-92 (career averages of 11.8 ppg, 81.9 FT% and 43.5 3FG%) before playing 11 seasons in the NBA with five different franchises. He probably hopes some of the coaching acumen of ESPN Game Day crew members Bob Knight and Digger Phelps rubbed off on him.
With former coach Fran Fraschilla seemingly going after every job opening in Texas the last couple of seasons, ESPN might need to be more sensitive to assessing any ulterior motives of the Worldwide Leader's commentators. Regulars Jay Bilas, Dan Dakich, Dino Gaudio, Miles Simon, Bob Valvano and Tim Welsh each has previous DI coaching experience in various capacities. Theoretically, Dick Vitale could join new SMU mentor Larry Brown in the geriatric crowd.
Davis had an infectious laugh on TV that seemed as if it was forced at times solely to mollify his elders. He became ESPN’s virtual carbon copy of CBS network nabob Greg Anthony — earnest and affable but frequently appeared to be in over his head at the major-league level without first earning his spurs via proper grooming in the minors. Who will replace Davis on the Game Day crew and in CollegeHoopedia.com's ranking of Top 40 college commentators?