March Madness: Behind the scenes

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - March Madness is not all about the players, coaches and cheerleaders.

There's another group of very important people working hard to get these games on the air for your viewing pleasure. Eyewitness News is taking you behind the scenes and introducing you to the CBS production crew.

The NCAA tournament is taking a timeout in Providence. So, we thought we'd take the time to show you exactly what it takes to go from the court to your living room.

Two 57 foot trailers parked outside "The Dunk," house everything CBS needs to show fans one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.

Inside there are nine monitors showing you every available camera angle. It's also where the audio crew is listening in to make sure you hear every sneaker squeak and net swoosh.

In the truck next door, graphics producers keep track of the stats. It's no easy feat and it takes a team of trained professionals to do the job right.

"When you have a technical crew, it's maybe 21-22 people, and then we have I want to say 15 production people," said Doug Fleetham, CBS Sports Technical Manager.

"I think everybody's job has just been made easier by all the added technology, doing replays can get them cued up quicker the graphics appear quicker, the graphics can be displayed in more depth there can be more information added on it's artistically a better look and it happens a lot quicker," said Bob Mansbach, CBS Sports Producer.

"You just try and follow the game and you know statistically show the viewers why the game is going like it is. It's exciting, the whole country's watching you, there's 3 other games going on elsewhere so you're kind of interwoven across the country and its a national event so absolutely it's fun," said Todd Keric, Graphics Producer.

The crew will be back at "The Dunk" hard at work for Saturday's two games.