I know @IndianaFootball has been phenomenal since @CCignettiIU took over. As incredible as 29-2 is , it still is just absolutely amazing to see that Stadium packed and have the juice and atmosphere that it has. It is truly incredible to watch it unfold on @CFBONFOX @FOXSports

Congratulations @AndyMcKayHG Another year of getting October Baseball. @CleGuardians

In preparing for the CBB season this week, it seems like every 20 minutes it’s a game that Chris was doing. I ALWAYS took notes when he was doing games but I just can’t fathom the unfathomable of this. All we can do is pray for God’s peace+ strength for his Family and Friends.

Next time the Smoothies after Practice are runny or Charter gets delayed, show them this Schedule. One Team’s INCONVENIENCE would be another Team’s EXTRAVAGANCE.

Wise words then. Painfully poignant now.

Last December Chris Spatola sent me a book. Entitled “Endurance”, the historical account meticulously narrates the plight of Ernest Shackleton and his 27-man team that set to make the first land crossing of Antartica in the winter of 1914. After 10 months at sea, the crew become stranded when their ship, Endurance, became frozen, and eventually crushed, within the massive ice sheet leaving the sailors and their life boats 850 miles from the nearest civilization. “I’ve always found inspiration within these pages.” Chris wrote on a small postcard tucked within the front cover. “I hope you will find similar insight into the power of the human spirit as you embark on your journey.” Earlier that year I had been asked by ESPN to lead the college basketball production team, a squad responsible for the personnel on both sides our seemingly endless cameras. While I would never compare 1,400 live broadcasts to 800 miles of open Antarctic Ocean, the task felt similarly expansive at times. Calm seas could roll into angry squalls without a moment’s notice. As our passionate, ambitious roster of hundreds rightfully campaigned for bigger and better assignments, Chris was one of the few to sincerely inquire during a crazy transition from game producer to executive: “How you holding up in all this?” Such perspective spoke to his training in West Point and the experience of open combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom, for which he was recognized with the Joint Service Commendation Medal. The JCSM is awarded for “meritorious achievement or commendable service while assigned to a joint activity or defense agency involving multiple military branches.” I’ll admit I had to look up meritorious. “Worthy of high praise, reward or honor.” Personally, I prefer Jay Bilas’ less formal scout. “Chris was an Army combat veteran. High character badass.” That combat wiring fueled Chris’ broadcasting career. He was as intense on air as any analyst I encountered during my time in the producer’s chair. Meticulous eye for the game combined with low tolerance for anything below execution excellence. In moments when things would go sideways, a regular occurrence in the broadcasting world, Chris could run hot, which made our first few shows together an exercise in patience. I always respected the passion, even if it tended to fray my last nerve. He wanted the pictures in his mind to match those on the screen. Once he realized the feeling was mutual, we found that producer-analyst groove. The last game we worked together was in Winston-Salem, two seasons ago. My last before pivoting to “suit” life. We watched practices for a couple hours talking about anything and everything, one of his kids at his side. I’ve found those “hurry up and wait” type afternoons to be the hidden gems of the broadcasting road. Sure you’ll talk the open rundown and scouts on each team, but in between you learn about the wide spectrum of experiences that makes each person uniquely them. What guides their eye and powers their voice. The type of stuff you rarely find on Zoom, Teams or while combing through a budget. Chris’s background made him one of a kind. The image of Chris and his little one getting up shots in the empty Joel after practice that day sits vividly in my mind on this gray morning. That afternoon at Wake Forest turned out to be a memorable one. Wake upset #8 Duke. Deac fans stormed the court and hurt Kyle Filipowski in the process. Chris and Mike Monaco were sharp in the moment. Detailing the scene and analyzing the bizarre moment with clarity and conviction. I didn’t execute at that same level, rushing off the air too quickly and missing an overhead replay that captured the stampede far better than what we had documented in our closing sequence. Such are the details broadcasters grind about, especially in big moments. As I made a discouraged drive back to Charlotte down I-85 South, Chris called me with an unexpected word of encouragement. “You’re too hard on yourself.” He offered. “We all did what we could do in the moment. Plus, you know that overhead look will be looped on Sportscenter for the next week.” He wasn’t wrong, but the sentiment made me chuckle once I hung up the phone. This from the guy who had worn me out for years about our standards never being high enough. We traded texts earlier this month about the coming season. “I’m really looking forward to the year. Can’t wait!” Now he’s gone. At 47. After a day on the phone with dozens from our ESPN team, the common theme is pretty clear. We are crushed. Sort of feels like being lost at sea. I haven’t finished reading Chris’ gift, but made it through another chapter last night. Needed the reminder of what real toughness and grit look like. The map is in the title. Endure. It’s all we can do during life’s darkest days. Rest well, Chris. I hope, in some way, you can see all the outpouring of support in your memory. You will be sorely missed.

Chris Spatola was so smart. So knowledgeable on so many things. When you were around Chris you knew you were around someone that cared. Was committed to excellence. He held himself to such a high standard . His family deserves our prayers and needs to know our admiration for him.

In part of praying for Chris’s Family , I truly hope that there will be a time when they all realize how much people like me who worked with Chris at @espn or the people who served , played , coached or were friends with Chris truly respected him. He had conviction +empathy.

I love looking at all the pre season this and that lists. I may be missing it but I don’t see Ben Hammond @theb3nhammond of @HokiesMBB on them. He is a True 🏀 player. He can shoot it well. Attacker. Reads ball screens. Coast to coast player. A quick handed thief on D.

Regression doesn’t just SHOW UP at GameTime. It’s been coming. It’s been allowed to happen because the talk and the excuses outweighed the work and the hunger to get better. The distractions were more important than the commitment. It REVEALED ITSELF at GameTime.

Beware of the teams with -No new Locker Room - Bathroom stalls with broken doors - New Balls but can’t break them in until games start ( only 1/2 dozen new ones ) - Have to actually go to buildings 4 classes and have to WALK ( no Vans or golf carts ) -NIL is Gift Cards

Define Reality but don’t forget to Review/Renew the Vision after you’ve done that.

Five minutes on the clock. A prospect on the board. Tom Crean explains what he wants to know before the decision is made.

BE READY. BE ELITE. CHAMPS. 🏆 @sunsetAMIR Day 1 🦈 #SameOldBoringHabits #ToughestTeamWins #BannerBehaviors

Don’t let your love of; -Numbers/Analytics - Your Plays -Your Continuity offenses - Who’s getting the Shots Get distracted by how many LAYUPS/ Fouls at the Rim, Are being left on the Table in your offense.

Just Coach the Team. Daily Questions 1. What does My Head Coach need from Me today ? 2. What edges, details , listening or thoughts can I bring to our players today ? 3. How can I add to the impact and value of our preparation? 4. What can I do to communicate better as a staff?

Just Coach the Team. 1. Don’t waste FT Shooting standing around. Remind them. Teach it. Get their weight shift, lift, shoulders forward and follow through right. 3. Be obsessed with the weak side on O and D constantly and consistently 4. Coach the guys on the side. Teach them

Just Coach the Team. 1. Don’t watch shooting. Teach it. Remind them. Correct them. Encourage them. Emphasize THEIR details. 2. Who’s in charge of getting the last Man back? Eliminate 5 on 4’s. 3. It’s not “I want”. It’s “we want”. It’s not “I need “. It’s “we need”. 4. ENERGY

With the work ethic and dedication to getting the work in, this is not surprising for @TravionScott of @GeorgiaFootball Whatever he expects from the players, he has demonstrated already from himself. Many days I saw him running in full gray sweats in 85 degrees at Noon. Every Day

This is just another reminder that @richardson_book continues to do great stuff for young people. I have many friends at the @NCAA & have lobbied on his behalf with Enforcement but to no avail. He has a show cause order until ‘32. Given the utter absurdity of the FBI case (Remember “we’ve got your playbook”) & that others involved are now coaching because they could afford legal help, this is extremely unfortunate. Free Book Richardson. It’s a PR home run.