Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
March 12, 2001

Walton will do game commentary during the NCAA Tournament. (Allsport)

Check out what CBS commentator Bill Walton had to say about the tournament seedings and previews the NCAA Tournament during his on-line chat.

Walton re-joins CBS this year where he will lend his basketball expertise as a commentator for the NCAA Tournament. No rookie to reporting on the tourney, Walton started in the early '90s reporting on the Final Four.

Besides his commentary, Walton will be keeping a close eye on a couple of tourney teams. Two of his son's made it into the NCAA Tournament. His son Nathan, a senior at Princeton, and Luke, a sophomore at Arizona, will both be fighting it out in the tourney.

During his college days, Walton won two national championships with UCLA and helped his team earn a NCAA record 88 consecutive wins. He was named NCAA Player of the Year three times ('72, '73 and '74) and was winner of the Sullivan Award for the U.S. Best Amateur Athlete of 1973.

Bill Walton: Hi! I'm so proud to be here today working for CBS on the NCAA Tournament and having 2 sons competing for the title. And proud to have Dick Enberg, who called most of my games, working with me. And proud to be working from my home of San Diego. So lets hop on the bus, throw it in drive and get going! Who wants to rock?

Question: redheadgal: Any seedings that really surprised you? (personally, Georgia State down at 11 in the West surprised me and probably Lefty too!)

Bill Walton: I am a big believer that people who spend a lifetime on figuring out where to seed Georgia State are more qualified than I am to question their judgement! The only thing I am not crystal clear on is why UCLA did not get the overall #1 seed! (Hahaha) Possibly Big East having two 10 seeds and Boston College at #3 seemed a bit low. I really thought Princeton would get at least a #2 seed. :-)

Question: boneddry: Do you agree with the Selection Committee putting Georgia in the tourney?

Bill Walton: Harrick has done a remarkable job in bringing this program back from the dead and we're not talking about coming back from a Jerry Garcia concert! Playing in the big power conferences certain has proven to be a major factor over the years in getting into the tournament. I foresee that trend continuing, particularly with such a dominant conference like the SEC. And we would like to thank Jim Harrick for yet another UCLA title in 1995. Most of their losses, as you would expect form a Harrick team, comes against the best teams. This is a classic example of why you should schedule the toughest teams possible as opposed to loading up on the Sisters of Mercy and trying to impress someone with inflated numbers.

Question: crutchfiel: All the Bama fans are saying the team got shafted not making it in, do you think they should have made it?

Bill Walton: This was a team that had high expectations. They've assembled a young cast of players including a first team all conference guy (Rod Grizzard). They loaded up on easy games early and that came back to haunt them. It hurt them in preparing for an incredibly difficult conference schedule and it hurt them in the overall credibility. This is the same thing as a UCLA alum, that I have been arguing for for years. Eliminate the weak opponents and play only the best. The fans have a better time and you are better prepared. A good example is Arizona and Duke. They go anywhere at anytime to play a good team rather than pad the schedules.

Question: hshrack: Hi Bill. I think Butler is capable of a few upsets. Who do you see as the Cinderella team this year?

Bill Walton: This is one of the really great success stories this year as the Butler Bulldogs had the ability to overcome adversity. Which is what you want young guys to learn to do. Starting last year where they almost upset Florida's run to the championship game. Then they lost their big man early on. Thad Matta has done a remarkable job of getting them to believe in themselves. Now they take on a tough Wake Forest team who looked like they would be a challenger for the ACC, early on. Wake is big, tough, physical, very athletic, and supremely confident coming into the tournament. Then Butler will have to face a possible 2nd round opponent in Arizona whose team is going to the Hall of Fame! They have their work cut out for them. But knowing their propensity to make things happen when the ball doesn't bounce to them.. they have a chance. At least until they play the mighty Wildcats! Cal-State Northridge is great. They beat UCLA at UCLA. Their star center Brian Heinle has a video collection he studies. Of some guy named Walton. Also watch out for Creighton, the #10 in the East. Princeton too. North Carolina might get to double figures if they play better than they did against Duke!

Question: friar: Do you think it is a conflict of interest that your son plays for Arizona and you will be announcing the games?

Bill Walton: I have previously announced two of my son's games. I don't feel there would be a conflict of interest, even if I was going to do them. One of the lessons I have learned as a broadcaster is that we cannot care who wins or loses the games. While I am a proud dad, as a broadcaster I report the facts. But if we are going to start speaking about conflicts of interest... Please, let us set up a whole separate chat!

Question: guest12: Bill what advise to you give to your son this time of year

Bill Walton: The advice is different. Generally the advice is that academics are always #1. And that they have to take care of business in the classroom first before heading off on the magical road to the Final Four. I tell them to make sure when they walk out of the gym, make sure they can look themselves in the mirror and say they did their best and didn't beat themselves. And make the most of every opportunity available. To fill up their schedule with the most challenging courses from the most interesting professors. And when they graduate they can say there is no way I could have done more and there is no way I could have had more fun. The advice for Nathan as the Tigers take on North Carolina... just like when Princeton beat UCLA in 1996 and a painful headline was "Brains over Bruins", there is NOTHING like beating the big guys! When they do challenge North Carolina, they are playing against Jordan, Perkins, Worthy, Dean Smith, Vince Carter, and all the others who went before. And that is when you know you really have a game; when you can beat the big guys. For Luke, I tell him that it difficult to play as the favorite, and you can't stand there waiting for someone to give you something. You have to find the level of self motivation to go out and outwork the opponent no matter who they are. For both of them.. the importance for defining the terms of the conflict; making the opponent play your game. Make the opponent spin around dazed and confused looking for the ball. Make the opponent realize they have no chance to win and wish they had never come at all. But always be gracious and dignified and show a lot of class regardless of the outcome. That the referees don't care who wins. And that no matter the outcome their Dad still loves them and their Dad could not be more proud of them.

Question: iowa24: Is Iowa a better team then everyone thinks?

Bill Walton: Alford has done a great job in getting this team back to an elite status in a short period of time. It shows character building. Not about Xs and Os but about people. It isn't about strategy and plays, but human values and characteristics and the depth of the personalities and character of the players. Iowa, which had to play regularly against some of the best teams like Illinois and MSU, learned a lot. Learned about competitive greatness and it came to fruition in the Big 10 tournament, where they were better than Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, and Indiana thought. Now, as they as cast in the role of somewhat the favorite, things will get tougher. But early on people have been telling me all season long, people I respect, work with and know, Bill.. watch out for Iowa, these kids have really got it. They have a real tough test one of the most highly anticipated first round matchups against the sharp shooting Creighton BlueJays. With BC, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Iowa in a very tough bracket. They have a lot of traveling ahead of them. When you are hot and have Steve Alford, there are no limits. We all hope Luke Recker is going to be able to compete at his expectedly high level and the word we are getting is he will be ready.

Question: spark480: Spartan fans feel they should have the 1 seed in the MW, I feel they are better off in the S, what are there chances of making it 2 straight years

Bill Walton: With the top seeds I don't think it makes a difference. From a man who travels 700,000 miles a year I am aware of the importance of good travel, from Lansing to Memphis is not much different than to Dayton. Lansing to Atlanta is easier than the Alamo Dome in San Antonio. When you look at Michigan State and Illinois at overall #3 and #4 in the 65, you look at a wash. The only real advantage is you miss out on a possible regional final showdown with Arizona. But when you are the best and think you are the best, bring em on! Don't waste people's time complaining about where they are going. This is about the defending champs with one of the game's best coaches, going back to try to be the first repeat since Duke in 91-92. Teams like Duke, Stanford, Illinois, MSU, AZ, UNC, and Kentucky have nothing to complain about and if they are still unhappy tell them to go look in the mirror! Go look in the mirror because they have only themselves to blame if they didn't get what they wanted. The great thing about NCAA Sports is that championship is out there for the taking.

Question: totalpckge: Do you think this is finally the year that Maryland makes it to the Final Four?

Bill Walton: We couldn't be happier for the Terps not to be confused with the Twirps! But when it all seemed to fall apart on a cold winter night when they gave it away to Duke, they started a 2 week free fall from which most thought they would not recover! But they landed on their feet and recovered and are back in it! Who would have thought!? We have all be there. We have all been in those situations where you couldn't have done worse in that big moment. The good thing about the NCAA Tournament is that you get a chance to get it all back. The way this Maryland team is playing; they have put their demons and skeletons back in the closet, and are making people proud! The big thing for them, and what affect many teams at this time of year, is that the failures of the regular season make you travel across the country and live on the road. You are talking about being on the road for guys who aren't used to that, at a time of year when you are tired, beat up, the hotel food is tough... life on the road is difficult. That is why the regular season is important. But when you are attacking you have a chance. They have a tough draw. George Mason is a potential Cinderella. A possible 2nd round matchup with Wisconsin or Georgia State? Well.. this is a match of epic proportions made in the CBS Corporate office For anyone who has known Lefty for 5 minutes or the 31 years I have known him, you know you better be ready! As you approach the tournament, what you really want more than seeding and location, you want health and to be on top of your game. Maryland has both. It would not surprise me at all to see them go very deep in the regional with a realistic chance of getting all the way to the regional final. Then it is just one game! And THAT is what makes this so special.

Question: bball4life: Are you upset that UCLA will be playing Hofstra in the 1st round?

Bill Walton: My email has been flooded today with people boasting that UCLA is going down and may not even score. Asking why UCLA is wasting money with the trip! I am proudly wearing my letterman's jacket, votive candles to Wooden lit, championship banner printed. heck.. might as well hang that Wednesday night! But that is what makes college basketball special; the pride, enthusiasm, and love for your school. And while the UCLA alums have all the respect in the world for Hofstra, the Bruin loyalists are extremely confident and are basically planning the championship parade and arranging with the Hall of Fame when the enshrinement will take place... as the Bruins march toward their 12th NCAA Championship.

Question: semolina: So give us your Final Four.

Bill Walton: UCLA, Princeton, Arizona, and whomever else wants to be there ... it doesn't matter! It is very difficult and probably unfair to pick a Final Four group. As a broadcaster the fans will think I am playing favorites. In the studio is a different story. This is all about the integrity and credibility of the staging of the events. We all have to be beyond reproach. While I have my personal and family allegiances, they will not come into play with any of my coverage for CBS. I have always been a high seed guy. Having come from UCLA, played in three Final Fours, having been the favorite, there is a lot to be said about how you play the regular season. But what makes this tournament so unique every year is the greatness of how basketball games are decided. By the one guy who goes out there and that day is the single best player. When you spend a lifetime making the ball become an extension of your mind, putting every ounce of your life spirit into being that best ball player. When you go out there and you feel so perfect, so in control and the level of perfection that is readily attainable is there at your fingertips.. this is the moment when legends are made and I am so honored to be a part of its past, so honored to be a part of its present and its future.

Bill Walton: I want to thank every one, the NCAA, UCLA, and CBS for giving me the greatest life anyone could possibly have.