We call it the Pat O’Brien Rule.

Would a sports host be watching an event if he/she weren’t working it? When O’Brien hosted the NCAA Tournament, we always got the impression he would prefer to be sipping white wine on a sailboat than watching all 63 games.

To his credit, O’Brien has smoothly made the transition from sports to entertainment, where he fits in better. For the Olympics, he is making a sports cameo. While O’Brien is a pro in studio, he never seems genuinely immersed in the events.

Jim Lampley does seem to have the Olympic flame in him. Though Lampley comes across a little smug at times, he is an Olympic stalwart. He loves the Games.

If Lampley weren’t hosting, the only reason he might not watch it is because he couldn’t stand not being at the Games. Thus, Lampley takes Matchup gold.