A Q&A with play-by-play man Gus Johnson
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Women's Golf, Scott Carter
As soon as Florida fans learned late Sunday that play-by-play man Gus Johnson was calling Thursday night's Sweet 16 showdown between the Gators and BYU on TBS, UF fans quickly started voicing their approval on Twitter.
Based on the tweets, Gators love Gus.
The 43-year-old Johnson has become a fan favorite not only among Gator Nation, but across the country, especially during March Madness when his emotion and energy seem to jump out of the TV through those sizzling pipes of his.
He is also the voice of Madden 11 and even the subject of a recent New York Times profile.
GatorZone.com caught up with Johnson courtside on Wednesday as the Gators practiced at New Orleans Arena. The last UF victory Johnson called was Jan. 3, 2009, a 68-66 win over North Carolina State at the O'Connell Center.
Click here to watch the final two minutes of the game, including Johnson's call of the winning shot with 11 seconds left by former Gator Nick Calathes.
“Here's Calathes, starts, stops, teardrop up and innnnnn,'' Johnson shouts.
It has been more than a year since Johnson worked his last Gator game, a 61-60 loss at Tennessee on Jan. 31, 2010.
Here is a Q & A with Johnson:
Q: What is your initial impression of the Gators from what you've seen on film?
A: They can just play. They've got good players and an incredible coach. They are tough. I like them. They are tough and they are disciplined. They play in the SEC with Kentucky and won the regular season. They are a good team.
Q: What's the favorite March Madness call of your career?
A: I don't know. I've been a part of so many great games. I don't know if I have a favorite. I just like being here watching the game. That's what I would be doing anyway. To be a part of it is incredible.
Q: What's the most memorable game you have called in the tournament?
A: The one I remember the most is 1996 when Princeton beat UCLA. UCLA was the defending national champ and Princeton from the Ivy League beat them. They beat them the Princeton way with a back-door cut in Indy.
Q: When did you first begin to notice all the fanfare that connects you and March Madness?
A: All of a sudden it just happened. I don't know if I feel like I'm synonymous with the event, because I'm not watching the games. I'm not sitting at home watching. I'm at work. I get so much positive feedback from people and I really appreciate it. It makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing and that I'm good at my job.
Q: You called Billy Donovan an incredible coach. Why?
A: Two national championships and a national final. He's incredible. He's still young and strong and focused. I just think the people of Florida are lucky to have a man like that as their coach. He is so engaged in basketball, he loves living in the state. That's Billy the Kid man. He'll always be Billy the Kid to me.
