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Since he became a color commentator for CBS Sports in 1983, Bill Raftery has coined numerous iconic phrases that have become synonymous with college basketball.
But prior to his "Onions!' and "With a kiss!" calls that he makes throughout the broadcasts of the sport's biggest games, Raftery starts every game with a statement intended to help the viewer prepare for the game.
Ironically, it's one that many viewers have a hard time picking up on.
As the ball is tipped, Raftery quickly diagnoses the defense of the team that lost the jump. He starts by addressing his two broadcasting partners, play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle and fellow color analyst Grant Hill, then names the team on defense first, followed by what kind of defense the team is playing in.
The latest examples came during the NCAA Division 1 Men's Final Four games between UConn and Illinois and Michigan and Arizona. He pauses for a second before speeding up his cadence when addressing the type of defense being played.
"Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, right now Arizona goes a little... man-to-man!" Raftery said swiftly after Michigan won the tip."
Last year, Raftery revealed on the Pardon My Take podcast that he didn't realize he was saying it when it first started.
"It was to get out of the play-by-play man's way. I would do it quickly, never thinking I was connecting the three words," he said on a March 14, 2025 episode of the podcast.
Raftery will be on the call with Ian Eagle and Grant Hill for the final game of the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball season when No. 1 seed Michigan takes on No. 2 UConn in the championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiannapolis, Indiana. Tip-off is set for 8:50 p.m. and will be broadcast on TBS, truTV and streaming on HBO Max.
Make sure to lo listen closely for Raftery's defense call, which most often comes within the first 10 seconds of gametime after the ball is tipped.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: What Bill Raftery says at the start of NCAA men's basketball games
Continue reading...
But prior to his "Onions!' and "With a kiss!" calls that he makes throughout the broadcasts of the sport's biggest games, Raftery starts every game with a statement intended to help the viewer prepare for the game.
Ironically, it's one that many viewers have a hard time picking up on.
As the ball is tipped, Raftery quickly diagnoses the defense of the team that lost the jump. He starts by addressing his two broadcasting partners, play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle and fellow color analyst Grant Hill, then names the team on defense first, followed by what kind of defense the team is playing in.
The latest examples came during the NCAA Division 1 Men's Final Four games between UConn and Illinois and Michigan and Arizona. He pauses for a second before speeding up his cadence when addressing the type of defense being played.
"Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, right now Arizona goes a little... man-to-man!" Raftery said swiftly after Michigan won the tip."
Last year, Raftery revealed on the Pardon My Take podcast that he didn't realize he was saying it when it first started.
"It was to get out of the play-by-play man's way. I would do it quickly, never thinking I was connecting the three words," he said on a March 14, 2025 episode of the podcast.
Raftery will be on the call with Ian Eagle and Grant Hill for the final game of the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball season when No. 1 seed Michigan takes on No. 2 UConn in the championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiannapolis, Indiana. Tip-off is set for 8:50 p.m. and will be broadcast on TBS, truTV and streaming on HBO Max.
Make sure to lo listen closely for Raftery's defense call, which most often comes within the first 10 seconds of gametime after the ball is tipped.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: What Bill Raftery says at the start of NCAA men's basketball games
Continue reading...
