The Final Four evokes powerful memories for Jim Nantz, who covered the event for CBS from 1991 to 2023. He fondly remembers the 2008 Final Four in the Alamodome, which also featured four No. 1 seeds, marking a rare occasion. That event was also significant as it was the last for longtime CBS color analyst Billy Packer, who retired following the 2008 NCAA Championship game.
Nantz dedicated nearly two decades working alongside Packer, who passed away in January 2023 at age 82. This weekend, while attending the Final Four as a fan and cheering on the Houston Cougars, Nantz took time to chat with Billy’s son, Mark, a broadcaster with the ACC Network. He recounted his unforgettable experience working that 2008 Final Four with Packer.
Nantz recalled Kansas amassing a significant lead over North Carolina in one of the Saturday semifinals. “Billy used to work with a manila folder in front of him. There was 7:38 left, and the score might have been 38-12 Kansas,” Nantz said, highlighting his remarkable photographic memory.
As the commercial break approached, Nantz looked at Packer, who remarked, “Jim, this game is over.” Nantz was taken aback, exclaiming, “It is?” to which Packer affirmed. Nantz remembered saying something like, “We’ll be right back to San Antonio after this.” North Carolina later reduced the deficit to four points in the second half, but the Jayhawks ultimately triumphed.
Nantz’s memory of Packer continued as he reflected on their last game together that Monday night in San Antonio—Memphis against Kansas. “The game went to overtime when Mario Chalmers hit a buzzer-beater to send it into overtime. My first thought was, ‘What a gift, I’ve got five more minutes to work with Billy.’ I had stood by his side for 18 years, and I wasn’t ready for it to end.” At that time, Nantz and several CBS executives were aware of Packer’s impending retirement, but fans and players remained oblivious, leading to an awkward moment during the Jayhawks’ postgame celebration.
“We interviewed Bill Self (Kansas coach) with Jayhawks players around us, and my hands were shaking with the microphone because no one knew why,” Nantz shared. “I just thanked Billy for another great road to the Final Four, and that was it.”
Jim Nantz joins ACC PM and reflects on his time calling the Final Four with Billy Packer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mbpITWGAu0
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) April 4, 2025
Nantz mused, “You’re bringing back some great memories for me. I miss him so much,” during his conversation with Mark Packer. He reminisced about dinner with Packer and others after the championship game, saying, “We celebrated his great career deep into the night. The next day, though, I had to rise early to fly to Augusta, leaving behind one of the most treasured relationships of my life. While that relationship didn’t end in San Antonio, our broadcasting partnership did. You can bet that when I’m in the arena tomorrow and hopefully Monday night, I’ll be thinking about that very occasion.”