Kevin Harlan has one of the most recognizable voices in sports. The long-standing TV company has handled play-by-play tasks for NFL, NBA and College Basketball Games.
Harlan’s voice can currently be heard during some of this year’s NCAA Division in the Basketball Tournament Games. He was at the request of No. 6-Seded Ole Miss’ hard fought victory over No. 11 North Carolina.
But at one point during the first half, Harlan had to think quickly – and he certainly got up for the occasion.
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Broadcaster Kevin Harlan is introduced during the game between Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on January 18, 2024 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Ole Miss held a 41-23 lead over North Carolina with just over two minutes left before the break as a rebel player tried to prevent a delusional ball from going out of borders. But a Tar Heels player ended up diverting the ball.
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The deflection sent the ball, which was quick to the area along the sidelines, where Harlan sat with his headset on.
North Carolina Tar Heels plays Mississippi Rebels at the Fiserv Forum on March 21, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Jack Dempsey/NCAA -Photos via Getty Images)
Harlan then put his quick reflexes on full screen while at the same time offering a play-by-play of the action. “Saving the ball with a jump. Turned out of borders, deflected by me and out to the side,” he said as he stretched his arm out to make sure his TV partner Stan Van Gundy was not hit by the ball.
“It went right for you, did you see that?” Harlan then asked the former NBA coach.
Van Gundy then looked at the repetition and praised Harlan and said, “Big deflection!”
Kevin Harlan speaks during a ceremony honored former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders before a game against Los Angeles Lakers, February 15, 2018, in Minneapolis. (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA Today Sports)
Almost immediately after Tar Heels was revealed as one of the 68 teams that came to “The Dance”, the stored program faced a significant setback. When UNC was the last team that was awarded a place in the NCAA tournament, they had to play in the “first four” for podium purposes.
Tar Heels dominated San Diego State Aztecs in this matchup to serve No. 11 seeds in the South region. But North Carolina couldn’t overcome Ole Miss in the first round.
RJ Davis led Tar Heels with 15 points, while Sean Pedulla’s 20-point performance helped the rebels move on. Ole Miss meets No. 3 Iowa in the second round Sunday in Milwaukee.
