Jim Nantz called his final men’s basketball national championship game last season.
Now, he gets to experience the madness as a fan.
Nantz was in the stands for Sunday night’s thriller between No. 1 seed Houston, his alma mater, and No. 9 seed Texas A&M.
Jim Nantz was on hand to witness Houston’s thrilling 100-95 win over Texas A&M Sunday night Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK
After the Aggies tied the game on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game to overtime, Houston kept them at arm’s length in the extra period and put the game away with some clutch free throws.
Nantz acknowledged that Houston’s 100-95 win was special for his Cougars.
“Tonight we won one … and everybody on that staff, all the coaches, everybody on Kelvin (Sampson)’s staff, and everybody on that roster did something to make it happen,” he said, according to PaperCity Magazine. “You got Ryan Elvin making a huge free throw in that game. Cedric comes in, it doesn’t show up in the box score, but he’s doing things, setting screens, moving bodies around, it was big.
“I mean, everybody did something, and then, of course, (Emanuel) Sharp had a massive game, and L.J. (Cryer) and Jamal (Shead).”
Houston’s team effort throughout the 45-minute heart-stopper propelled the Cougars to their fifth straight Sweet 16.
In the process, Houston became the fifth team and the first since 1987 to win an NCAA Tournament game after four of its players fouled out.
Nantz saw a lot in his time calling NCAA Tournament games but said Houston’s win Sunday night was different.
“When’s the last time you watched a game where four starters fouled out?” he said. “And you gotta go win a game in overtime? To get to the Sweet 16? I only did 354 NCAA Tournament broadcasts, 96 final four games, 32 national championships. I’ve never seen a team have to band together like we did tonight.”
After 32 years of remaining unbiased, Nantz was able to put his full support behind his alma mater and experience March the way fans do.
“I’m seriously worn out,” he said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “My head is throbbing. My stomach turned somersaults.”
Houston advanced to the Sweet 16 with a win over Texas A&M. Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Nantz was caught doubled over, breathing sighs of relief, following the win.
Houston will look to make it to its fourth straight Elite 8 when it plays No. 4 seed Duke on Friday.