From left to right: Rece Davis, Digger Phelps and Jay Williams discuss college basketball during the ESPN College GameDay broadcast at the Coors Events Center on Saturday in Boulder. (Kai Casey/CU Independent)
ESPN College Game Day has arrived in Boulder, and the events of Saturday morning bolstered CU’s school spirit for its men’s basketball team. Fans filling almost four sections of the Coors Events Center provided an electric black and gold backdrop for the GameDay crew, which consisted of Digger Phelps, Rece Davis and Jay Williams. Due to travel complications, Jalen Rose was not in town to take his usual seat at the broadcast booth.
Fans waved homemade signs ranging from praise for stars of the CU men’s basketball team (“It’s ‘Ski’ Season”) to degrading Arizona’s top players (“Nick Johnson gave Bob Costas pink eye”). Other signs were purely made for ESPN’s attention, including sponsored State Farm signs and parental shout-outs: “Hi Dad, send money.”
Before the broadcast began at 8 a.m. MST, anchor Digger Phelps took control of the microphone and addressed the students who came out to support the Buffs. Referencing Colorado’s win against UCLA last Thursday and having four players score double digits during that game, Phelps expressed his strong belief in both the heart of the Buffs squad and their ability to beat Arizona tonight.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Tonight is also senior night for Colorado, and center Ben Mills and guard Beau Gamble will be recognized for their contributions to the team and pending graduation.
After the GameDay broadcast ends at 10 a.m., events for the rest of the day include a meal break for the anchors, crew and media, as well as the reception of various feeds on ESPN. The live College GameDay pre-game show, integrated with footage from reporters at the Syracuse vs. Duke game, will air live at 4 p.m. A halftime show will be taped during the home game tonight.
Contact CU Independent Assistant Sports Editor Jordyn Siemens at jordyn.siemens@colorado.edu
