Jim Nantz Hit With 7-Word Jab by Charles Barkley as His Augusta National Plans Take a Blow Due to Family Time

Jim Nantz is a graduate of the University of Houston back in the day in 1981. He used to play collegiate golf with the likes of Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister. He holds a dear connection to his alma mater and that has been evident during the current March Madness run Houston Cougars are on. Nantz was in attendance at the Cougars basketball game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

He is again in attendance at the Cougars’ Final Four game against the Duke Blue Devils. The Cougars are on a brilliant run and all fans are expecting them to claim their first-ever NCAA title this year. Nantz is no exception. But his presence, at the game today prompted some funny jibes, especially with the Masters around the corner, from the broadcast team, which included the legendary Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson.

“It ain’t like he got a job.” Barkley quipped. “He quit ya’ll. He got plenty of free time on his hands.” Nantz was a regular at the NCAA Tournament behind the mike but chose to retire from calling college basketball. Nantz is still actively part of the broadcast team of golf though, which prompted Ernie Johnson to chime in, saying, “It’s Masters week, man!”. Nantz is currently putting a strain on his schedule as he is very much inclined to see his alma mater win its first-ever NCAA title on the basketball court, and spend more time with his family.

 

“It ain’t like he got a job. He quit ya’ll. He got plenty of free time on his hands.” – Charles Barkley on Houston alum Jim Nantz in the house

“It’s Masters week, man!” – Ernie Johnson

“That’s next week.” – Charles Barkley

And it kept going from there. pic.twitter.com/JR9bJi7K4v

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025

“I was prepared for this to be a new approach to Augusta this year. The plan was to get there on Sunday before, then all of a sudden, my University of Houston basketball team went on a roll, and found its way to San Antonio – and I have to be there for that on Saturday. That has brought an abrupt change to the current itinerary.” Nantz had stated previously.

Jim Nantz’s change in Augusta plans

Nantz was in attendance at the Cougars victory 69-50 victory over the Tennessee basketball team and post that match he laid bare his thoughts on the SIRIUS XM PGA Tour Radio. He was happy with with victory over Tennessee but feels like the bigger test comes now against the Blue Devils.

“You know, this is our seventh Final Four, and Tennessee has a pretty big basketball tradition. Both their men’s and women’s programs have strong histories, of course, the Pat Summitt days on the women’s side—but they’ve never been to a men’s Final Four. And here we were yesterday, facing them with a chance to go to our seventh, but we have never won the whole thing.” Nantz stated. The legendary broadcaster’s words imply great pride in the current basketball program at Houston. That is also why, he maintains an optimistic attitude despite Houston facing a legendary Basketball program at Duke.

“ And now we have go to go trough Duke. If we are fortunate enough to get past the Blue Devils, we’ll have Auburn or Florida waiting for us on Monday night.” Nantz added. His alma mater’s brilliant run to the Final Four has made him rethink his plans for the Augusta National as well. “So I’m taking it all in. It’s just kind of rerouted some of my travel plans to Augusta. But I’m taking my son—my boy Jamison, AKA Jamo—and we’re going to turn on the afterburners. My boy’s not used to staying up that late, but he will on Saturday night, that’s for sure.” The CBS broadcaster explained.

Do you think Kelvin Sampson and Houston can reward Nantz’s loyalty with a brilliant showing in the Final Four and subsequently fight for the title?

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