Dick Vitale and Charles Barkley pair up for the NCAA Tournament First Four broadcast

For the first time in their long and celebrated careers, Dick Vitale and Charles Barkley will share the broadcast booth for an NCAA Tournament game that brings together more than 100 years of combined basketball experience. The pairing will call a First Four matchup as part of CBS Sports and TNT Sports coverage.

Before that, the duo will make their regular season debut for No. 22 Indiana at No. 17 Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 13 on ESPN. Vitale’s presence on the stand is particularly notable considering his own recent health trip. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, 86, announced in September that he is currently cancer-free following a PET scan. Over the past four years, Vitale has dealt with multiple diagnoses, including melanoma, lymphoma and laryngeal cancer, all of which were successfully treated.

Vitale returned to the broadcasts earlier this year, courtside for then-No. 2 Duke’s game against Clemson — his first broadcast in 22 months. He has played more than 1,000 games in his career, becoming one of the most enduring and beloved voices in college basketball.

Barkley, an award-winning analyst from TNT Within the N.B.A has been bringing a contrasting style to Vitale’s energetic, narrative approach for 25 years. The combination of Vitale’s passion and Barkley’s candid insight promises to deliver a broadcast full of personality, humor and basketball expertise.

“Dick has meant so much to the game of basketball, and we have long felt that he deserved the opportunity to call an NCAA Men’s Tournament game, and we are pleased that he has finally agreed to several offers,” said Harold Bryant, executive producer and executive vice president of production for CBS Sports. “If he has the match played with Charles, it will be must-see TV and a great way to tip off the First Four.”

The First Four pairing gives fans a rare opportunity to see two legends of the game together, combining decades of experience, perspective and plenty of personality. While the stakes are high for the teams involved, the presence of Vitale and Barkley ensures the broadcast will be as memorable for the off-field commentary as the action on it.