Jim Nantz delivers misty-eyed final sendoff as March Madness broadcast run comes to an end

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As the University of Connecticut Huskies heard the final buzzer and stormed the court after beating the San Diego State Aztecs to win the NCAA Tournament, CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz was a bit choked up while trying to call the moment.

No, it wasn’t because he was happy for UConn, or sad San Diego State took the loss after a phenomenal run through March Madness. 

It was because, for the final time in his 32 years as the lead voice behind the Final Four and 36 years broadcasting March Madness, he had to sign off. 

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Announcer Jim Nantz calling his final NCAA basketball game, between the San Diego State Aztecs and Connecticut Huskies, at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023, in Houston, Texas. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

"One thing I learned through all of this is everybody has a dream and everybody has a story to tell. Just try to find that story. Be kind. 

"Can I tell you one other thing? I mean this, and not to try to pay off, ‘Hello friends,’ but to you, everybody in the college game. My CBS family, my family, all the viewers. Thank you for being my friend."

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Nantz isn’t walking away from broadcasting altogether, but college basketball will no longer be in the 63-year-old’s yearly schedule. He will still be the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS during the NFL season, while also broadcasting golf – The Masters, a favorite tournament of his, will be the next time he's on-air this week. 

But there’s no doubt college basketball made Nantz the broadcast legend he is today. His first game came at 26 years old in January