TNT’s Kenny Smith Chats About the Tourney, Expanded Coverage

Editor’s Note: Kenny Smith, an analyst for TNT and CBS and a former North Carolina point guard, is partnering with Coke Zero to help promote a new, interactive site called the Coke Zero Social Arena, where college hoops fans can follow all the March Madness action this year. Smith chatted with Hoopville’s Michael Protos for a few minutes to talk about his outlook for the NCAA Tournament, critics of TNT’s analysts, and a few details about the Coke Zero campaign. TNT’s NBA coverage team, including Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Smith, will be covering their first tournament since the NCAA signed a new TV deal with the combined forces of CBS and TNT.

After getting to review the brackets a little more since last night, who do you have in your Final Four?

Kenny Smith: I’ve got North Carolina winning it all, beating Kansas. I also have Duke making it to the Final Four, and my surprise team is K-State. If Jimmer doesn’t get hot, Jacob Pullen will get hot, and they’ll make it.

Which bubble teams are you surprised to see in the tournament? And which teams would you like to have seen in the field instead?

Kenny Smith: I’m not really a proponent of saying who shouldn’t be in. Those kids who made it have worked hard. They might have had some tough losses along the way, but they are deserving to be in. I’m surprised like everyone else about Colorado and Virginia Tech —and even Harvard. I feel for Tommy Amaker.

What’s the biggest surprise in seeding?

Kenny Smith: I did think BYU would be a No. 2 seed even though they lost in the championship. They didn’t really have a chance to show what they can or can’t do without [Brandon] Davies. It’s difficult to play any team [like San Diego State] and beat them three times. That was a little surprising.

You played for the Tar Heels when they lost to Indiana in 1984 and Villanova in 1985. What are the essential qualities that an underdog needs to pull off an upset against a higher seeded team?

Kenny Smith: It’s not difficult if your style is contrary to theirs, and they’re not accustomed to playing that style. There are a lot of teams that only had lost one or two games [for much of the season]. If you fit into that realm of style [of teams that beat them], you’re gonna make people’s lives difficult. There’s no sure-fire way to win the championship. You have to be prepared for teams of different styles.

Are there any first-round upsets you could see happening?

Kenny Smith: Here are some games to watch out for: Gonzaga vs. St. John’s. We know Gonzaga’s really good and has a great coach. Cincinnati vs. Missouri is another one. And watch out for Louisville vs. Morehead State. That one is gonna be close. Morehead State has [Kenneth Faried], who is a top rebounder, and Louisville’s not that big.

Several major media analysts have been skeptical that you, Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr, Charles Barkley and the rest of TNT’s NBA team will be able to provide high-quality coverage throughout March Madness. Charles responded to Billy Packer’s criticism on the air last week. Have you guys been brushing up on NCAA history and the major story lines of this season, or are you already familiar with much of that?

Kenny Smith: Basically, we have haters. I feel great [about the NCAA coverage]. We watch basketball. You don’t just limit it to one level. For me, I’m living in a space that I’m very comfortable in. For me, it’s more analysis as it happens. If Kemba Walker crosses someone over and makes the game winner, I’m asking, “Well, why did you switch? He shouldn’t have been open.” I’m gonna tell you why it happened or why it didn’t. That’s an easy place for me. If we’re watching third-graders play, I can break it down for you.

Did T-Mobile put Charles up to that rant at Billy Packer? I’m waiting for the autotuned version of that to come out kinda like the “I may be wrong” commercial.

Kenny Smith: You know what the funny thing is, Charles didn’t know that Billy [said things in a USA Today article]. I told him, and he got upset. saying “I don’t just take hits. I hit back.” I was surprised [Billy] said it without talking to anyone. He doesn’t know what I’m watching. To make a statement like that was a little bit out of order.

[The tournament is] about the kids. The game has a life of its own. I don’t care how great an announcer is. Two or three years ago, no one had seen George Mason play more than two or three times. Who really knows all these teams unless you’re a fan or covering the team? The tournament takes on a life of its own.

During your playing career at North Carolina, you saw the NCAA Tournament field expand from 48 teams to 64. At the time, how did you feel about expansion?

Kenny Smith: The more, the merrier. When you’re trying to win the championship as a player, you couldn’t care less. I don’t think the kids are worried or saying anything. From a viewer’s standpoint, it’s great because it gives an opportunity to give kids of the George Masons of the world or Akron to see them. People don’t get to see them all the time and all of a sudden, they’re highlighted. For example, we were watching the Big Ten championship yesterday, and Penn State is not on your radar all the time — and they’re in a power conference.

What are your thoughts on the potential for broader expansion to 96?

Kenny Smith: The more, the merrier. But if you’re No. 97, you had an opportunity to get in, and I’m sorry, that’s it. There’s no such thing as a bubble team with 96 teams.

Tell me a little about what you’re doing with the Coke Zero Social Arena.

Kenny Smith: If you go to CokeZeroSocialArena.com, you can watch the games online. You can tweet and Facebook people around the country. You can talk a little trash and have some fun while the games are going on. There’s a sweepstakes, and you can get a chance to win a trip to the Final Four. You have different analysts’ tweets and blogs on there daily. It’s a great interactive experience.

Getting back to the field, do you have beef with the choice of any of the No. 1 seeds?

Kenny Smith: No, not really. To me, seeding only matters in the first round. Everyone’s good. Everyone’s able to get it done. For me, after the first round, I don’t believe there’s any match up [advantages].

Are there any players in particular you’re expecting to have a big tournament?

Kenny Smith: It’s easier for players to get hot than for a whole team to get hot. Any team that has a great player can do it. Kemba showed you he could do it in the Big East Tournament. Jimmer can do it. If a player can get hot for five or six games, all of a sudden [your opponents are] in trouble.

Do you think Kemba Walker and the rest of the UConn Huskies will be exhausted after playing five games in five days to win the Big East championship?

Kenny Smith: At 18, I was Superman. At 19, I was Batman. After this week they have off, they’ll be ready go.

Here’s some more information about the Coke Zero Social Arena.

• To start, you can watch the games online if you’re unable to escape work Thursday and Friday or are otherwise away from a TV during any tournament game.
• If you somehow miss the live action altogether, you can watch a recap of each round through the site’s Impressive Moments video feature. Plus you can vote on the best highlight.
• During games, the Coke Zero Social Arena will feature tweets, trending topics, and Facebook comments and stats in the site’s Social Ticker.
• In case you don’t get enough of a bracket fix by picking the field, you can track the Coke Zero Social Arena’s Social Bracket, which will rank and advance teams based on online mentions.