Legendary college basketball analyst Dick Vitale has been cleared by his doctors to announce a game courtside for the third time this season. "Dickie V" will work with Jon Sciambi on Sunday's the matchup between No. 6 Villanova and No. 2 Baylor on ABC.
Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma in October. In August, he was diagnosed with melanoma, which has cleared. He made his return to broadcasting Nov. 23 for Gonzaga vs. UCLA. He then called Kansas vs. Dayton with Sciambi on Nov. 26.
MORE: Dick Vitale makes emotional return to broadcasting following cancer diagnosis
On Wednesday, Vitale tweeted that his doctors wanted to examine his blood counts before allowing him to travel to Waco, Texas, for Villanova-Baylor. Vitale received a call from his doctors a few hours after his tests saying he was cleared to travel. The doctors also cleared him to work the Louisville vs. Kentucky game in Lexington, Ky., on Dec. 22.
Oh baby my🙏🙏🙏were answered as Dr Rick Brown just cleared me to do the # 2 @BaylorMBB vs # 6 @NovaMBB Sunday 3Pm EST ABC It will be my 1st trip ever for a home Bears game .Can’t wait to join @BoogSciambi & @KrisBudden for a top 10 battle pic.twitter.com/3ATsWfT5N9
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 8, 2021
"After receiving my positive news, about blood counts from my medical team, headed by Dr. Rick Brown. I’ve been cleared to be courtside for No. 6 Villanova at No. 2 Baylor Sunday on ABC, Vitale said, via ESPN. "I’m jumping for joy knowing I’ll be sitting next to Jon Sciambi and talking hoops instead of chemotherapy and blood counts. It will be fun to also share stories with our reporter Kris Budden on the sidelines. It's my first ever trip to Waco since I began at ESPN on Dec. 5, 1979, and it is sure to be special. Thank you to all for the continued phone calls, messages, prayers and positive energy, it truly lifts me up!"
MORE: Dick Vitale calls Dayton's buzzer-beater upset of No. 4 Kansas
Vitale had his blood counts checked Friday before he flew to Texas. He shared that his counts will be checked again Monday after he returns home. These future tests will most likely determine how much we see Vitale going forward this season.
Only cancer patients & family members understand how the battle to recover is never ending. Yes told I can do @BaylorMBB vs @NovaMBB o”Sunday but also told they want me back for bloodwork Friday before I leave (Saturday) & Monday when I return . I get it to check blood counts . pic.twitter.com/Zddkn992bW
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 9, 2021
MORE: Dick Vitale reveals he has lymphoma months after beating melanoma
What time is Villanova vs. Baylor?
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 12
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
No. 6 Villanova will travel to Waco, Texas, to face No. 2 Baylor on Sunday, Dec. 12. The game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET.
What channel is Villanova vs. Baylor on?
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: ABC.com, fuboTV
The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Additionally, viewers can sign in with their cable subscription information to watch on ABC.com.
Viewers can also watch the Baylor vs. Villanova game live with fuboTV, which offers a seven-day free trial.