Billy Packer Swears That He Doesn't Molest Jim Nantz

From Michael Hiestand's Sports Television Column at USA Today:

Say what? As Sunday's Kentucky-Kansas game wound down, CBS' Nantz kept flogging the 60 Minutes show that would follow as featuring American Idol'sSimon Cowell- although Nantz, understandably, never mentioned the name of the hit Fox show. After Nantz called on-air partner Packer "the Simon Cowell of college basketball," Packer had this response: "I've never touched you when we were watching a basketball game."

Oh? Well, what about when you two aren't watching basketball games? What's the touching like then, Packer?

Packer's comment was followed, as you might imagine, with total silence from Jim Nantz (I'm guessing he crossed his legs and shifted uncomfortably in his chair, too, right before Packer gave him the lollipop he was carrying in his pocket, and angrily mouthed the words, "You better not tell your mom").

After the silence, Packer added, "Isn't that the accusation?" No, Pack, it's not. The accusation against Cowell -- and it's really not so much an accusation as it is a general statement of fact -- is that he's a cantankerous, egotistical, mean-spirited bag of vinegar and water.

But obviously, Packer was, for some reason, eager to get this denial out there in public. If any of you are in St. Louis next week, walk up to Packer and introduce yourself. I bet he responds by yelling, "I NEVER TOUCHED JIM NANTZ, OKAY?!"