Former Auburn Tigers star Charles Barkley and former North Carolina point guard Kenny Smith are usually impartial analysts, but Friday’s NCAA tournament Sweet 16 matchup was a special occasion. With North Carolina and Auburn facing off, the set was decorated with flags and balloons representing each school, and both Smith and Barkley were in full fan mode.
Smith actually played an NCAA tournament game in 1985, and helped bounce the Tigers by scoring 22 points on 75 percent shooting.
Barkley said last week that if Auburn and North Carolina meet in the Sweet 16, each former player should wear their school’s jersey on air, and Smith didn’t disappoint on Friday.
Smith: “All I’m saying is you told us, you told Ernie Johnson we were wearing our uniforms. Where’s your uniform?”
Barkley: “Uh, it didn’t fit.”
The TBS broadcast of the game welcomed Barkey and Smith on air during the first half, and they spent a minute bickering over the pace of the game and foul calls. It was delightful.
