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Broadcast misidentifies Cincinnati fan as Hall of Famer Edgerrin James

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•02/17/24•

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

During Saturday’s game between Cincinnati and UCF, the ESPN+ broadcast said Edgerrin James was in attendance. The camera showed a fan dressed in Bearcats attire on hand for the matchup between the two Big 12 newcomers.

There was one problem, though. It wasn’t James.

Social media quickly noticed it was not, in fact, the former Miami star and Pro Football Hall of Famer. James’ son plays for Cincinnati and he’s reportedly sitting courtside for the game, but the fan the broadcast showed wasn’t him.

Edgerrin “Jizzle” James Jr. is a guard for Cincinnati and entered Saturday averaging 7.5 points and 2.1 rebounds. The Bearcats have a 15-9 overall record and a 4-7 record in Big 12 play as they look to bounce back from two straight losses.

Of course, Edgerrin James Sr. made a name for himself at Miami from 1996-98. He ran for nearly 3,000 yards over his three years with the Hurricanes and was drafted No. 4 overall by the Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowler, James led the NFL in rushing twice and went into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

The Big 12 looks to be in strong position with March Madness approaching

It’s looking like another banner year for the Big 12. Entering Saturday, the conference led KenPom in efficiency and had sizable lead over the Big East, which sits in second place. In On3’s latest Bracketology, James Fletcher III projected the Big 12 to get 10 bids, headlined by Houston as a No. 1 seed in the South Region. The Cougars were the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament selection committee’s Top 16 reveal in Saturday’s mock bracket.

There’s sure to be a big shakeup, though, after BYU fell to Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Oklahoma State shot 59.6% from the field, including 50% from three-point territory, to defeat BYU 93-83 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. That all started from a 49-point outburst in the first half, including an 8-of-14 showing from three-point distance in the first 20 minutes.

BYU tried to make a comeback in the second half and got within single digits multiple times down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough. Oklahoma State came away with the victory – its third in Big 12 play this season – and its first win over an AP-ranked team in just over a year. The Cowboys’ last top-25 victory came on Feb. 11, 2023 when they defeated Iowa State.