Kentucky vs Santa Clara: Spanarkel's Duke Loss Lingers

0:00On March 19, Kentucky basketball fans are tuning in for the Wildcats' first round matchup against Santa Clara in St. Louis, airing on CBS this Friday. It's a rare chance to see the team on CBS during March Madness, breaking from their usual ESPN coverage under the new SEC deal. That shift means fewer gains with the same familiar ESPN voices that have worn on listeners all season. Instead, Sparrow DDs will handle play-by-play alongside color commentator Jim Spanarkle right from court side. Kentucky supporters have mixed feelings about announcer's tie to rivals and Spanarkle fits that bill perfectly for many. His history adds extra tension heading into tournament play. Forty-eight years ago, in 1978, Spanarkle Captain Duke in the National Championship Game also held in St. Louis. Kentucky pulled out a six-point win, powered by Jack Gibbons' 41 points, securing their fifth title without Adolf Rubb. As the Wildcats chase another deep run, fans will watch closely, knowing Spanarkle's past-loss lingers in the air just like it did back then.