Kevin Harlan has one of the most recognizable voices in the sport. The longtime broadcaster handled play-by-play operations for NFL, NBA and college basketball games.
Harlan's voice is now heard in part of this year's NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Game. He wanted a fierce battle victory for sixth seed Ole Miss against 11th North Carolina.
But at some point in the first half, Harlan had to think right away. And he certainly stood up on that opportunity.
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
Broadcasting station Kevin Harlan will be featured on January 18, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis during a match between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Ole Miss took a 41-23 lead for North Carolina with just two minutes left before halftime when the Rebel players tried to ensure the wrong ball didn't fall out of bounds. However, the tar heel player ended up deflecting the ball.
no. 2nd seed Alabama is narrowly upset by no. 15 Robert Morris
Deflection speeded towards the area along the sideline where Harlan was sitting with his headset on.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will play Mississippi rebels at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 21, 2025. (Jack Dempsey/NCAA photo via Getty Images)
Harlan then fully exhibited his quick reflexes, providing play in action at the same time. “I'm going to save the ball dramatically. I'll hit the boundary, deflect it against me, and I'll fall to the side,” he stretched out his arm to keep his broadcast partner Stan Van Gundy from hitting the ball.
“It was right for you, did you see it?” Harlan then asked the former NBA coach.
Van Gundy then watched the replay, praised Harlan and said, “A great bias!”
Kevin Harlan will speak at a ceremony honoring former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Sanders before his game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Minneapolis on February 15, 2018. (Brace Hemmelgarn-usa Today Sports)
Shortly after Tar Heel was revealed as one of 68 teams to “dance,” the renowned programme faced considerable backlash. UNC was the final team awarded the NCAA Tournament spot, so they had to play in the “first four” with seed purposes.
Click here to get the Fox News app
The Tar Heels dominated the Aztecs in San Diego State in that matchup and earned the 11th place seed in the South Region. However, North Carolina couldn't overcome Ole Miss in the first round.
RJ Davis led the Tar Heels with 15 points, with Sean Pedulla's 20-point performance helping the Rebels advance. Ole Miss meets No. 3 Iowa in the second round on Sunday in Milwaukee.
Follow Fox News Digital's x Sports Coverageand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
