UNLV, to the NBA to Network College Basketball Analyst…
CBS Sports & CBS College Sports Network’s Greg Anthony takes you inside his mindset prepping for a game and how similar it is to his playing days.

At CBS College Sports I’m fortunate to work with some really talented people behind the scenes: Producers, Directors, Associate Directors, PA’s and the like. What creates an interesting dynamic is that each of these individuals has a unique style. They’re kind of like officials.  It’s not always as combative as it might be between officials and players, but at times it can be.   Just as the officials have a job to do, CBS College Sports’ crews want the same outcome that I do except they don’t always see the game the way I do.  I don’t mean that as criticism.  It’s just that we may be watching the game in a different way.  So if I’m focused on a particular player and want to make a point for the viewer, it doesn’t always jibe with what and where the Producer and Director want or need to go. Maybe there’s a promo they have to get in and it doesn’t mesh with where I am.  I said earlier that they’re like officials.  When I played I always wanted to know who was officiating because each one had their own style some are prone to call offensive fouls, some allow more contact when you’re guarding.  Some allow rougher post play etc. So it’s your responsibility as an analyst/player to make the adjustment.

I’ve found that game day as an analyst is a lot like game day as a player.  A lot of it has to do with your preparation, mindset, and your ability to react to what’s going on in the game. When you go into a game as a player you have to be ready for what the opponent does.  What are their strengths, can we affect what they’re doing both offensively and defensively?  How do your strengths match up and ultimately are you mentally ready to compete, in essence what’s your energy and confidence level like?  You don’t know that until the game starts. As a player there were times I felt horrible.  Maybe I had the flu or didn’t sleep well the night before or had an argument with a girlfriend.  And just when I felt like I was in store for a nightmarish performance I performed terrifically. Then there were times when I could not have been more mentally prepared and physically fit and let’s just say the results didn’t add up.
 
I’ve often said that sports are what reality TV strives to be. No one - and I mean no one - knows what’s going to happen. In any given game, something’s going to happen that was totally unexpected. Maybe a kid who’s a walk on has a career night or someone who averages 4 pts goes for 25. Maybe your best player is in foul trouble in the first half and that changes your strategy. 
 
As an analyst, much like as a player, my objective is not only to analyze the situation but develop a course of action to bring about the best result.  I have to keep viewers in tune with what’s going on why it’s going on and what has to happen, to change that course.  As a player, whether you have your “A” game or not you have to find a way to win.