Rece Davis, College GameDay crew give special tribute to Jim Nantz ahead of final NCAA Tournament call

As they closed their pregame show for the NCAA Championship Game, Rece Davis and the College GameDay crew shared their love for Jim Nantz. Nantz, the longtime voice of the NCAA Tournament for CBS, announced before this year’s tournament that it would be his final time calling the event. For the past 32 years, the country had Nantz on the broadcast for some of the most historic moments in sports.

Rece Davis closes College GameDay with tribute to Jim Nantz

As the ESPN pregame show drew to a close on Monday night, Davis signed off in front of NRG Stadium in Houston with a great fact about Nantz’s legacy.

“And tonight when you watch the game really enjoy our friend, the great legend Jim Nantz, who has been the voice of this tournament for decades,” said Davis. “And right outside — this is his hometown, he went to college in Houston — there’s a street right by NRG Stadium that is Hello Friends Way. Enjoy it when just in a matter of moments Jim is going to greet America by saying ‘hello friends’ and call the NCAA Tournament for the last time.”

The tribute was the latest in a series of incredible television personalities giving their love to Nantz ahead of the Final Four this year. On Monday night, the 2022-23 season will draw to a close — and with it, Nantz’s time leading broadcast coverage for the tournament. Adding to the special nature of the moment for Nantz is the venue for the Final Four being in his hometown of Houston, Texas.