Nobody captures the excitement of March Madness quite like Andrew Catalon. The CBS play-by-play broadcaster has been part of some of the most significant moments of the NCAA tournament in recent years, including Fairleigh Dickinson’s monumental upset over No.1 Purdue in 2023. Catalon’s tournament run concluded this year with him and analyst Steve Lappas calling Houston’s Elite Eight victory over Tennessee. Following this, he’s set to shift gears to CBS’ coverage of the Masters starting next week. We recently spoke with Andrew Catalon regarding both the tournament and Augusta.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Awful Announcing: How has this year’s experience been different for you?
Andrew Catalon: “The chemistry within our crew is exceptional. We work so many games together—me, Steve, Evan Washburn, along with our producer and director, Jonathan Segal and Andy Goldberg. Our cohesion is strong; we’ve been preparing for this stage for months, so you can really feel that unity this year.”
What’s it like working with Steve?
“It’s fantastic. He’s become one of my closest friends. We spend more time together over the past few months than with our families, having called nearly 300 games since we began in 2013. It’s amazing how in tune we are with each other; we have so much fun.”
What’s an example of something extra your team brings to the broadcast?
“Meeting with players and coaches the day before each game is crucial. For instance, during the Sweet 16 game between Houston and Purdue, we witnessed Houston practice a critical play they ended up using to win. When we asked Coach Kelvin Sampson about it, he confirmed they train for these situations regularly.”
NO WAY 🤯
HOUSTON TAKES THE LEAD IN THE FINAL SECOND 😱 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/L2wCPQ34gD— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2025
Did you ever think that play would be used in the game?
“I asked Coach Sampson about it after noticing their practice because it reminded me of NFL teams running through end-of-game scenarios. Having insights like that ready when the game is tight is something we pride ourselves on as a group.”
Do you ever have a say in where you get to go for the tournament?
“It’s entirely up to our bosses. I aim for regions where I’m familiar with at least a couple of teams, as it helps with preparation. For instance, I had seen St. John’s and Purdue in Providence, which was beneficial.”
Do you have a favorite NCAA tournament moment?
“While Fairleigh Dickinson’s victory over Purdue is hard to overlook, I cherish the memory of Ron Hunter coaching his son R.J. when he fell off a chair to beat Baylor in 2015. That was really my first March moment.”
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What was a memorable game for you from this year’s tournament?
“The matchup between Calipari and Pitino was incredibly exciting, with their rich histories and the energy in Providence. Knowing the potential of that clash before the first round was thrilling.”
What was it like doing the games during the COVID-19 tournament of 2021?
“I was in the stands back then due to health protocols, so this year’s setting was much better. That season was all about adjustment, but I’m grateful for the way CBS and Turner managed everything.”
When do you start preparing for the Masters?
“I began preparing in January, knowing March would be focused on basketball. Getting ahead of my notes is key to my strategy.”
Any early predictions?
“Rory McIlroy is playing well, so I anticipate he’ll be a significant storyline in his quest for the career Grand Slam.”
“Seventh heaven for Houston! The Cougars advance to their seventh Final Four, hoping this trip brings their first title!” – Andrew Catalon 🏀🎙️ #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/mGMQWdHoPG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 30, 2025
