Kara Lawson...

**ThatllDoCy** · 01-20-2011, 01:50 PM

I thought they did a good job of researching prior to the game. They seemed to really be ready to start talking up OSU at any time if we had not taken the game over.

**CycloneRulzzz** · 01-20-2011, 02:46 PM

Best part of the game was when Kara was describing a play with the camera focused on her writing on a coach marker board. ESPNU can't afford a telestrator.

**ca4cy** · 01-20-2011, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Clone9

Her knowledge and insight were good, but her voice was a little monotone and bland. She needs to liven up a little bit to keep moving up the ladder, IMO.

Maybe they could liven up a little, but I'd rather have my announcers understated than trying to overpower the game. Cyclone games excepted, if the game isn't exciting enough to carry itself, then I'm probably not going to be watching it for very long anyway.

I turned off the tv as soon as it was announced that Ejim got a T and the other guy got nothing so I didn't hear her commentary on that. Overall I thought she did a very nice job. She does a lot of in studio stuff for ESPN and ESPNU, so it's good that she can go back and give an educated take on ISU if the subject arises.

If I were going to complain about anything regarding our last two ESPN family broadcasts, it's that none of the announcers seem to be able to mention the fact that maybe we're just tired at the end of these games. I don't view it as an excuse when it's a simple statement of fact. That said, it's nice to be on national tv again so I'll let it slide.....for now.

**wxman1** · 01-20-2011, 03:24 PM

I didn't get to watch the whole game but what I saw/heard I was quite impressed with.

**Cyclonestate78** · 01-20-2011, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by ISUChippewa

On a different note, was anyone else really impressed with Kara Lawson last night on ESPNU?

I thought she was excellent. You could tell she was a former player from her analysis and I think she knows the game. I thought she was just as good as the majority of male color commentators I've heard on TV.

I would go a step above "just as good" and say flat out that she was better then most. The guy from ESPN that did the Kansas game was flat out pathetic. To compare the two would be like saying Lawson has a Masters degree in basketball knowledge while the guy from the Kansas game analyzes basketball at a 2nd grade level. The difference was night and day.

**twistedredbird** · 01-20-2011, 03:58 PM

She probably demonstrated more knowledge of basketball than most people are used to. She broke down plays, and was spot on the execution of key plays. I was a UT women's basketball fan for a long time, and never cared for Kara, especially when she picked Stanford to beat TN in the championship(how can you not pick your alma matter-probably jealous the CP could do it and she didn't), but she does know her basketball, and its refreshing to listen to an announcer that has that depth of reality and knowledge call the game.

Its ironic, but there a lot of women announcers who come out of women's basketball.

**Rickybaby** · 01-20-2011, 04:28 PM

I thought she did a good job too. For a while I thought it was Cheryl Miller because she was the only other female announcer I had ever heard who knew her ****. I wouldn't mind this lady covering more games; which means it probably won't happen. If she was a real hottie then maybe ... but good at what she does ... never happen. Man, I'm getting a bit of an attitude ain't I?

**CtownCyclone** · 01-20-2011, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by CyclonesRulzzz

Best part of the game was when Kara was describing a play with the camera focused on her writing on a coach marker board. ESPNU can't afford a telestrator.

Nobody can ever compare to John Madden on the telestrator. She was wise not even to attempt it!

On topic, I thought she was pretty good. I've heard my share of terrible color commentators in the past covering ISU events, and she was one I'd listen to again.

**herbicide** · 01-20-2011, 04:45 PM

I give her a good grade too. It may be sexist, but most of the time I find female color commentators to be be subpar.

I give her a better grade than her partner, for sure. IMO she was leaps and bounds better than most of the color commentators we get for the non prime-time games.

**isuno1fan** · 01-20-2011, 04:53 PM

Ehhh...I prefer men calling the men's game.

She was ok, but just don't like women doing the men's play by play.

**theshadow** · 01-20-2011, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by CyclonesRulzzz

Best part of the game was when Kara was describing a play with the camera focused on her writing on a coach marker board. ESPNU can't afford a telestrator.

That's ESPN's new thing this year - analysts drawing on white boards. I've seen it on all their networks at some point during the season.

**sodakjoe** · 01-20-2011, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by ca4cy

Maybe they could liven up a little, but I'd rather have my announcers understated than trying to overpower the game. Cyclone games excepted, if the game isn't exciting enough to carry itself, then I'm probably not going to be watching it for very long anyway.

I turned off the tv as soon as it was announced that Ejim got a T and the other guy got nothing so I didn't hear her commentary on that. Overall I thought she did a very nice job. She does a lot of in studio stuff for ESPN and ESPNU, so it's good that she can go back and give an educated take on ISU if the subject arises.

If I were going to complain about anything regarding our last two ESPN family broadcasts, it's that none of the announcers seem to be able to mention the fact that maybe we're just tired at the end of these games. I don't view it as an excuse when it's a simple statement of fact. That said, it's nice to be on national tv again so I'll let it slide.....for now.

I do know that Lawson did give this at least a passing mention, because they discussed the fatigue factor at the end of the game. She talked about how a jump shooting team will struggle if they're fatigued because their legs get tired and they can't get up for their shot like they usually do. I know that they at least mentioned the number of minutes our guys were playing or the fact that we were only 7 deep a number of times, but I don't think they mentioned it in direct relation to us blowing the game.

**cycopath25** · 01-20-2011, 05:52 PM

I thought she wasn't very good. Trying too hard to predict plays and her break down of possible plays late were horrible.

**Drive4cy** · 01-20-2011, 05:56 PM

She carried Dan McLaughlin. He should stick to doing sports inside the state of Missouri.

**sodakjoe** · 01-20-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by cycopath25

I thought she wasn't very good. Trying too hard to predict plays and her break down of possible plays late were horrible.

You mean like where she showed why it was Ejim's fault the 3-pointer wasn't defended, and then on what I think was the second possession of OT they ran the EXACT SAME PLAY and Ejim failed to defend it AGAIN?