Fury as CBS cameraman just can’t stop zooming in on UConn star Liam McNeeley’s mom during Florida game
March Madness fans have criticized CBS for focusing too much on one female fan during Florida’s thrilling win over UConn.
The Gators eventually saw off the reigning men’s champions, having been level at 31-31 at the half, winning 77-75 to progress to the Sweet 16.
But CBS viewers were left furious over the way the cameraman consistently focused on woman in the crowd.
The fan at the center of the coverage was the mother of UConn star Liam McNeeley, Ashley.
McNeeley played well and poured in 22 points, including a three-pointer at the buzzer as UConn’s elimination was confirmed.
But the regular cutaways from the court to Ashley quickly irritated the viewers and they took to social media in large numbers to complain.
One posted: ‘CBS camera are making it a point to find Liam McNeeley’s mom in the stands’.
Another said: ‘I’m just happy I don’t have to see McNeeley’s mom again’.
A third commented: ‘CBS cameraman is a huge fan of Liam McNeeley’s mom, she’s gotten more airtime than the Gators cheerleaders and the Florida coach.’
‘The infatuation by CBS with Liam McNeeley’s mom is far too over the top’, posted a fourth.
A fifth replied: ‘We do not care about McNeeley’s mom, just stop.’
‘Camera guy is a big fan of Liam McNeeley’s mama,’ another added.
Florida was in danger of becoming the first No. 1 regional seed in this year’s tournament to be eliminated, just a week since winning the SEC tournament.
The Gators trailed with three minutes to play before Clayton’s three-pointer sparked the late-game surge that took them to victory.
UConn coach Dan Hurley’s X-rated reaction to the loss was caught on camera.
Liam McNeeley played well and poured in 22 points, including a three-pointer at the buzzer
He directed his comments, seemingly about the officials, at Baylor. The Bears took on Duke in the next game in North Carolina.
‘I hope they don’t f*** you like they f***ed us. I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor,’ Hurley could be heard saying.
The UConn coach then broke down during an interview. Hurley was overcome with emotion as he discussed the team’s first loss in 14 NCAA tournament games.
‘(Florida) showed their quality. I thought we played with tremendous honor, I thought we played with the heart of a championship program – a program that’s gone back to back,’ he told CBS.
