Jim Nantz wants final game to feel 'as normal as possible'

Tonight will be the final time we hear Jim Nantz’ voice for a title game in the NCAA Tournament. After three decades of play-by-play in March Madness, he will be calling it a career in college hoops at the conclusion of the matchup between San Diego State and UConn.

Still, if nothing else, Nantz wants tonight’s game to be as normal as possible. In a conversation with Matt Norlander at CBS, Nantz says he just wants the ship to sail smoothly throughout the broadcast. Then, once he removes his headset and gives away the trophy, he’ll gladly step out of the spotlight for the final time.

“I want this to feel as normal as possible,” admitted Nantz. “I just want to have a nice, clean, high-camaraderie broadcast. In sync with (producer) Wolfie (Mark Wolff) and (director) Mark Grant. Grant (Hill) and (Bill Raftery) and Tracy (Wolfson). I just want it to be clean. All in sync.”

“Take off the headset, go give the trophy away,” Nantz said. “It’s their moment. It’s not mine.”

Monday’s final featuring the Aztecs and Huskies will be Nantz’ 354th call in the NCAA Tournament. That run includes 32 calls in the national championship game and 96 in the Final Four over the course of 37 total NCAA Tournaments.

Even with all of those games and years of experience behind him, though, he says this tournament has been especially unique. More than ever, Nantz believes this tournament proved it’s true that this is an event tailor-made for ‘dreamers’.

“This event is really made for dreamers. People that are given a chance to compete. The little guy. And what we have is we have a bunch of dreamers who made their way to Houston,” Nantz said ahead of the Final Four on Saturday. “Florida Atlantic, San Diego State? Think about it. Miami? Never been here before. That’s what gives life to this tournament. It can’t always be the same teams. And this is a great example. UConn has the history of course. They’re all four coming here bonded as much as I’ve seen any teams in my career. There’s a closeness that got them here.”

This won’t be Nantz’ final call ever. He still plans on continuing on with golf, specifically The Master’s, as well as the NFL. However, considering he’s a Houston alum, there will be no better venue for him to finish his career calling college basketball than NRG Stadium. It’s not an overall goodbye but, in this sport, Nantz is crossing his fingers for one more effortless, yet magical, call to see himself out with.