Legendary college basketball analyst Billy Packer died earlier this week, and tributes began pouring in after the news was announced. Jim Nantz, who worked alongside Packer for many years, remembered his friend and colleague Friday morning.
During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Nantz told viewers Packer should be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
“I think Billy will go down in history as one of the greatest analysts in the history of sports television. I think that when you look at the pantheon of great analysts, you’ve got John Madden and you’ve got Billy Packer. You start right there. He blessed this network for a long time, from 1982 to 2008. One of my dearest friends. It’s been a restless night thinking of the Packer family, which I’m very close to. I got to speak to Billy the day before he died, and tell him I loved him.”
Nantz continued his praise for Packer — who announced 34 consecutive Final Fours, including each from 1991 through 2008 with Nantz — saying he was a steward of the game he loved so much.
“He was a genius. There was no one that could look at the field — in this case, the court — and see everything. He’s gonna be very much missed. He loved college basketball and he looked after it as a guardian of the sport. He’s just a giant. A giant heart, that’s all I can tell you.”
