Jim Nantz Trending for Cheering on Alma Mater Houston in March Madness
No. 1 seed Houston (32-4) got everything it wanted and more from No. 9 seed Texas A&M (21-15) on Sunday night but managed to move on to the Sweet Sixteen with an incredible overtime victory, 100-95.
After A&M hit a game-tying three at the buzzer to send this game to overtime, attrition started to play a major role in the contest. Four Cougars ended up fouling out, and it wasn’t just any players. UH has to find a way to win without its top three guards after Jamal Shead, L.J. Cryer, and Emanuel Sharp all fouled out.
Despite the odds, Houston became the first team to win an NCAA Tournament game with four players fouled out since UTEP did it in 1987.
The Cougars’ performance was legendary, and one of its biggest legends was amongst the crowd, taking in one of the most memorable games in recent memory.
Houston alum Jim Nantz is one of the most decorated and beloved television broadcasters in all of sports and has given NCAA Tournament fans a lifetime’s worth of unforgettable calls in the Big Dance.
However, the 2023 NCAA Tournament was Nantz’ last time on the call, as he stepped away from broadcasting March Madness to focus on his family and other broadcasting commitments. He’s still the voice of The Masters and serves as the lead play-by-play analyst for CBS’ coverage of the NFL, but from now on, he’ll take in all the action as a fan.
On Sunday night, Nantz was front-and-center for his alma mater’s nail-biter in a surreal moment for college basketball fans.
There is something a bit unsettling about seeing Jim Nantz in Houston Cougars gear just taking in a game as a fan. However, it sure is fun to see him take everything in and enjoy it with the people he loves most.
Are you sad that you haven’t gotten to hear a classic “Hello, friends.” from Nantz this year? This might cheer you up.
After the game, Nantz appeared in the Houston locker room and was awestruck with what he’d just witnessed from Kelvin Sampson’s squad in a gut-check win for the Coogs.
Nantz’s Cougars will face No. 4 seed Duke in the Sweet Sixteen in Dallas (Tex.) on Friday, March 29, with tipoff set for approximately 8:39 p.m. CT.
