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Published: Jul 20, 2008 10:31 AM
Modified: Jul 20, 2008 10:31 AM
Billy packs his bags
Names & Notes -- Basketball
Longtime college basketball analyst Billy Packer's run with CBS is over after the network decided not to renew his contract. The Wake Forest graduate had done color commentary for 34 straight Final Fours for CBS and NBC, dating back to the 1974 NCAA Tournament won by David Thompson's N.C. State Wolfpack.Tournament ratings had gone down in the last two years, although CBS insists that had no bearing on the decision, instead saying they simply wanted to take a new route and offer Clark Kellogg a chance in the spotlight. Still, it's no secret that a fierce anti-fan base had built up over the years and made itself heard on the Internet. More than 5,000 people signed the petition to CBS to get rid of Packer on ipetitions.com, and a remarkable 57 Facebook groups have been created decrying the veteran commentator, including one called "There is no such thing as too many 'Billy Packer sucks' facebook groups."
The Los Angeles Daily News reported last week that Alex Stepheson has decided to finish his career at the University of Southern California. The forward, a native of nearby Torrance, Calif., chose to leave Chapel Hill to be closer to his ailing father. He averaged 4.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.
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