Vitale is taking extended break
Dick Vitale is taking an extended break from the airwaves to rest his voice.
The ESPN college basketball analyst said in a story posted Wednesday to ESPN Front Row that on a recent visit to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, throat specialist Dr. Steven Zeitels advised him to rest his voice because he has precancerous dysplasia of the vocalcord membranes.
“The good news is that he doesn’t believe anything is lifethreatening,” the 82-year-old broadcaster said. “Bottom line is I need to rest them — my voice needs a T.O., BABY!”
Vitale has undergone treatment this year for melanoma and announced in August that was declared cancer-free. In October, he announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
The Basketball Hall of Fame announcer said tests showed he had lymphoma and the treatment plan involved steroids and six months of chemotherapy. He was told by medical experts that there is a 90% cure rate and he had planned to manage his work schedule around his chemotherapy schedule.
Vitale joined ESPN less than four months after it launched in September 1979. He has been a longtime supporter of the V Foundation for Cancer Research and hosts a yearly gala for pediatric cancer research.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES No. 11 Auburn hands No. 16 LSU first loss
Walker Kessler had 16 points, a career-high 11 blocked shots and 10 rebounds to lead No. 11 Auburn to a 70-55 victory over previously unbeaten No. 16 LSU in the SEC opener for both teams.
Kessler got the second tripledouble in Auburn’s program history, but it didn’t become official until well after the game ended. Auburn’s official scorer credited Kessler with a rebound that initially had been ruled a team board with 9:55 left in the first half.
Host Auburn (12-1) has won nine straight. It didn’t give up a field goal in the opening 10 minutes. LSU fell to 12-1.
#3 Purdue 104, Nicholls State 90:
Zach Edey scored 21 points, Jaden Ivey added 19 and the Boilermakers (12-1) beat the visiting Colonels (8-6), who got 29 points from Ty Gordon. He went 9-for-15 from beyond the arc.
#6 Kansas 88, Nevada 61: Christian Braun scored 22 points as the host Jayhawks (10-1) rolled over the Wolf Pack (6-5) in a hastily scheduled game after both teams had opponents drop out with virus problems. The Jayhawks were supposed to play Harvard. Nevada was scheduled to face San Jose State.
#10 Michigan St. 81, High Point 68:
Gabe Brown scored a career high 24 points as the host Spartans (11-2) got past the Panthers (6-7) in a high-profile coaching matchup between High Point’s Tubby Smith and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo.
#19 Alabama 73, #14 Tennessee 68: Jahvon Quinerly scored 18 points as the host Crimson Tide (10-3) topped the Volunteers (9-3) in the SEC opener for both teams.
#21 Providence 70, #15 Seton Hall 65:
Noah Horchler had 17 and 13 rebounds as the host Friars (12-1, 2-0 Big East) handled the Pirates (9-2, 0-1).
#18 Kentucky 83, Missouri 56: Keion Brooks Jr. scored 17 points and the host Wildcats (10-2) rolled past the Tigers (6-7) in the SEC opener for both schools. Former Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin, who now leads Missouri, missed the game because of coronavirus issues.
#24 Wisconsin 89, Illinois State 85: Steven Crowl had 21 points and nine rebounds as the host Badgers (10-2) tripped the Redbirds (8-6).
Women
#10 Baylor 86, North Texas 65: Nalyssa Smith had 28 points and 11 rebounds as the host Bears (10-2) throttled the Mean Green (6-4).
#22 South Florida 70, Jacksonville 57: Elena Tsineke scored 22 points, Bethy Mununga had 21 points and 12 rebounds and the host Bulls (10-4) knocked off the Dolphins (7-4).