‘Ain’t like he got a job’ – Charles Barkely fires shot at famous Houston alum on heels of Final Four game against Duke

“Hello, friends.” It is the iconic opening warm welcome by broadcaster Jim Nantz. Nantz is a Houston alum that takes great pride in his Cougars A sound that will grace everyone’s television next weekend when Nantz calls the Masters. But before golf’s grandest event takes place, all eyes are on San Antonio this weekend at the Final Four. And that’s where you can find Nantz at the moment, just don’t tell Charles Barkley. Nantz’s Houston Cougars are taking on the Duke Blue Devils with a trip to the national championship on the line, but when the CBS cameras picked up Nantz walking into the arena, Barkley wasn’t having any of it. “It ain’t like he got a job,” Barkley joked. “He quit ya’ll. He got plenty of free time on his hands.” “It’s Masters week, man,” Ernie Johnson chimed in. “That’s next week,” Barkley replied. From 1991 to 2023, Nantz called every Final Four in the NCAA tournament. He retired from calling college basketball two seasons ago and is now enjoying it as a fan. X/@CBSSPORTSBarkley ribbed Nantz on the broadcast[/caption] Nantz was given a standing ovation at the Final Four in 2023 for his final callGetty Especially as a Houston fan and alum. Nantz attended Houston and graduated in 1981. Over 40 years later, he is in attendance in San Antonio to watch his beloved Cougars in the Final Four. Barkley joked with Nantz, although the Hall of Fame big man may seem a little salty after his Auburn Tigers lost to the Florida Gators in the first game, 79-73. Now all the attention is on Duke and Houston. Will Cooper Flagg be playing for the national championship? Or will Nantz extend his stay in San Antonio? March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment

Apr 6, 2025 - 04:23
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‘Ain’t like he got a job’ – Charles Barkely fires shot at famous Houston alum on heels of Final Four game against Duke

“Hello, friends.”

It is the iconic opening warm welcome by broadcaster Jim Nantz.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 05: Jim Nantz walks onto the court before the Final Four Game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Alamodome on April 05, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.  (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Nantz is a Houston alum that takes great pride in his Cougars

A sound that will grace everyone’s television next weekend when Nantz calls the Masters.

But before golf’s grandest event takes place, all eyes are on San Antonio this weekend at the Final Four.

And that’s where you can find Nantz at the moment, just don’t tell Charles Barkley.

Nantz’s Houston Cougars are taking on the Duke Blue Devils with a trip to the national championship on the line, but when the CBS cameras picked up Nantz walking into the arena, Barkley wasn’t having any of it.

“It ain’t like he got a job,” Barkley joked.

“He quit ya’ll. He got plenty of free time on his hands.”

“It’s Masters week, man,” Ernie Johnson chimed in.

“That’s next week,” Barkley replied.

From 1991 to 2023, Nantz called every Final Four in the NCAA tournament.

He retired from calling college basketball two seasons ago and is now enjoying it as a fan.

X/@CBSSPORTS
Barkley ribbed Nantz on the broadcast[/caption]
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 01: Announcer Jim Nantz reacts during the first half in the game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and San Diego State Aztecs during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at NRG Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Nantz was given a standing ovation at the Final Four in 2023 for his final call
Getty

Especially as a Houston fan and alum.

Nantz attended Houston and graduated in 1981.

Over 40 years later, he is in attendance in San Antonio to watch his beloved Cougars in the Final Four.

Barkley joked with Nantz, although the Hall of Fame big man may seem a little salty after his Auburn Tigers lost to the Florida Gators in the first game, 79-73.

Now all the attention is on Duke and Houston.

Will Cooper Flagg be playing for the national championship?

Or will Nantz extend his stay in San Antonio?

March Madness Top Stories

Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson

‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance

March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant

NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever

Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment