CBS and FOX Sports college basketball analyst Bill Raftery remains one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting. As the 2025-2026 college basketball season progresses, Raftery is still calling marquee matchups, continuing a career that has spanned over four decades. The enduring appeal of his commentary lies in his unique, colorful vocabulary, which has generated a long list of catchphrases that are now synonymous with the game. This longevity, coupled with his deep knowledge and genuine enthusiasm, has solidified his reputation as a true class act in the media world.
The Iconic Raftery Dictionary
Raftery, a former head coach at Seton Hall, transitioned to broadcasting in the 1980s and developed a signature style that blended tactical insight with unscripted fun. Unlike commentators who rely on rehearsed material, Raftery’s phrases often sounded like they were simply bubbling up from his pure joy for the sport.
His repertoire includes classics that are now part of the college basketball lexicon:
- “Onions! Double Order!”: Reserved for a player sinking a clutch shot in a high-pressure moment. It is perhaps his most famous line, signaling the courage (or “guts”) required.
- “With a Kiss!”: The mandatory call whenever a player uses the backboard glass for a successful shot.
- “Send it in, Jerome!”: A reference to his legendary call for Jerome Lane’s backboard-shattering dunk in 1988, used today for any emphatic slam.
- “Get those puppies organized!”: A colorful instruction for players, usually big men, who need to gather their feet and body position for a post move or jumper.
- “Nickel-Dimer”: A term he uses for a soft or questionable foul call, indicating it was minor and perhaps shouldn’t have been whistled.
The 2025 Paradox: Fatigue and Final Fours
In 2025, Raftery’s presence is more valued than ever, especially as the college game undergoes massive structural changes due to the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) policies and the transfer portal. Raftery, 81, remains an observer who embraces change while staying committed to his craft.
However, recent comments from the analyst reveal a fascinating personal paradox. While fans continue to crave his signature calls, Raftery admitted in 2025 that he has grown “tired of saying them” because they no longer feel spontaneous.
“This sounds crazy,” Raftery said earlier this year, “but I actually am tired of saying them. All of them were natural, so now they’re not natural.”
This honesty underscores the challenge of maintaining authenticity after decades in the public eye. Though his signature phrases may now be consciously deployed, Raftery’s work ethic and enthusiasm have not waned. He is still the lead college basketball analyst for CBS/TNT’s NCAA Tournament and Final Four coverage, now paired with Ian Eagle and Grant Hill, and he continues to call major Big East games for FOX Sports.
Despite the self-admitted fatigue of his catchphrases, Raftery remains a consistent, engaging, and indispensable voice. His career proves that a broadcaster’s true legacy isn’t built on a single line, but on a deep, infectious love for the game that endures year after year.
