I’m not in the “anyone but Benz” camp, but I do question whether he has the radio play-by-play experience and ability to paint a picture as the game unfolds.  I think his stronger suite is the interview format where he is very good.  On the other hand Tim is a well-known local media personality, so you could do a lot worse.  The other question is whether he would even want the job with the travel requirements that would perhaps interfere with his existing schedule.

Nobody will or can replace Ray. His passing was the end of an era for this program.

I like Benz as long as he isn't teamed with Cannon. Although, ESPN+ to Duquesne radio seems like a demotion in 2026. The fact that DU allows Cannon too continue broadcasting Dukes basketball is very indicative of the general lack of professionalism in the university's media presentations & public relations.

I wonder if they are considering streaming the TV audio for the home games & doing a real radio broadcast for the road games. I know I don't want them to have "road" radio broadcasts that are really 2 dudes sitting in separate locations in Pittsburgh watching & commentating on the opposing team's TV stream.

Also, who would want to follow Ray?

townsonkid wrote:

I'd bet they end the radio broadcast.  Its on 104.7 HD, how many listeners do they get, 25?
Everything is streaming now.    Maybe Buono moves in with Benz and Ellis on the espn+ feed.

Long post warning.

Most games are still on AM 970 unless they conflict with a Pens game or on the rare occasion a Steelers game.  But honestly, it doesn’t not matter what the station is anymore because most people listen on their phones and not over the air radios.

A lot of schools are controlling the broadcasts from their own apps.   They sell and keep the advertising and bypass radio stations all together. 

I wonder if Ray’s health (and age) last season were the reasons road games were not attended by the radio team.  I’ll be interested in seeing if that changes this season. 

Also I’m not a big fan of simulcasts of radio and tv games.   The announcers tend to forget the radio listeners are not watching.  Ray was always great at giving the score constantly.  TV people have the score bug to rely on.

I doubt if the radio play by play announcer pays more than the ESPN + broadcast, so I doubt it’s Benz.   Plus, I don’t see him traveling to announce road games.

I bet the play by play guy is someone new.  Perhaps one of the many local HS play by play announcers.  I’d like to have them give it to a DU sports journalism grad. 

Perhaps Robert Healy, the DU professor, who has subbed on football and basketball in the past.   

I’d like someone in the radio broadcast to be pro Duquesne  unlike the current ESPN + men’s team.  Doesn’t have to be a full on homer, but tone down the excitement when the other team is beating DU.

I hope Noah stays on as color because I really like him.  I like he gets frustrated when they put out a poor product.

townsonkid wrote:

I live 20 miles outside of the city and cant get 970AM on a radio.  Also, the 970am web page, you can get the games on there, but then when they go to commercial, they might not come back.   Soend up having to listen to the local duo on epsn+, or whatever the host team has on the road, some are good, some are awful.
But more and more often, I'd just mute it. 

Downvoted the I heart radio app.   And you will not have a problem with 970 AM or the HD station.   I listen there all the time.  Even at games but the delay can be significant.

I would be OK with Benz and Zaslau. I mostly agree about Buono, but he was put in almost impossible situations to show any enthusiasm. I would be OK with him getting a second chance, maybe on the women's games. Frankly, Alex P. is really decent for football but is way out of his element for basketball. My only absolute NO is Loose Cannon.