Kenny Smith misses March Madness broadcast on March 21, 2026, sparking rumors

Kenny Smith was missing from the March Madness games on Friday, March 21, 2026. This is the first time he has missed games in many years.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Indianapolis, IN – March 21, 2026 – The March Madness broadcast on CBS Sports and TNT Sports faced an unexpected disruption on Friday when commentator Kenny Smith was notably absent from the studio. Smith's sudden departure from the NCAA Tournament coverage triggered a flurry of online chatter and theories, with his colleague Charles Barkley sending a public, albeit teasing, "get well" message. Smith was reportedly feeling "under the weather," according to reports.

Smith's absence on Friday followed the previous night's significant upset, where his alma mater, the North Carolina Tar Heels, suffered a close 82-78 loss to the VCU Rams. This timing fueled some fan speculation on social media platform X, with queries ranging from whether Smith was "under the weather or crying about the UNC loss?" to suggestions he had walked off the set in protest. Barkley himself lightheartedly alluded to Smith's known dedication to fitness, joking during the broadcast, "Keep your shirt on at the beach, Kenny."

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Barkley, a fixture of the "Inside the NBA" crew, was also a noticeable absentee from Friday's March Madness games. This follows a period of significant professional flux for Barkley and his long-time colleagues. The "Inside the NBA" team recently transitioned to broadcasting on ESPN, marking a new era for the show after years on TNT. Barkley had previously announced a sabbatical from "Inside the NBA" during March Madness, citing the demanding broadcast schedule and the significant network changes.

The move to ESPN, which acquired the NBA media rights, had raised questions about the future of the beloved "Inside the NBA" program and its iconic personalities. Barkley, while confirming his continued involvement with the show on the new network, had also indicated an intention to wind down his broadcast career in the coming years. He has expressed a desire to continue working with Turner Sports and ESPN, navigating the evolving media landscape.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Kenny Smith not at the March Madness games on March 21, 2026?
Kenny Smith was not at the March Madness broadcast on Friday, March 21, 2026, because he was feeling sick. His absence caused many people to guess why he was not there.
Q: Did Kenny Smith's absence have anything to do with UNC losing?
Some fans wondered if Kenny Smith was upset about his old team, the North Carolina Tar Heels, losing their game the night before. However, reports say he was just feeling sick.
Q: What did Charles Barkley say about Kenny Smith's absence?
Charles Barkley made a joke during the broadcast, saying 'Keep your shirt on at the beach, Kenny.' He was teasing Kenny about being out.
Q: Was Charles Barkley also absent from the March Madness games on March 21, 2026?
Yes, Charles Barkley was also not at the March Madness games on Friday. He had said before that he would take some time off during March Madness this year.
Q: Why is Charles Barkley taking time off from March Madness?
Charles Barkley is taking a break from March Madness because his show 'Inside the NBA' recently moved to a new network, ESPN. He said the work schedule was hard.