March Madness announcers by game: Full list of broadcast teams for 2024 NCAA Tournament | Sporting News

Buckle up, folks. It’s that time of the year when buzzer-beaters break hearts, top contenders head home early, and unlikely heroes rise to the occasion. 

It’s time for March Madness. 

The NCAA Tournament never fails to disappoint, with chaos happening in four different regions around the United States before the yearly event culminates in Arizona this season. Fans can catch all of the action either through broadcasts on TV or viral clips on social media. 

MORE: Watch March Madness games live with SlingTV

There are eight broadcast teams for this year’s event; however, arguably the most recognizable voice out of them all will not be heard. Jim Nantz’s final time on the call took place in 2023, as the longtime CBS analyst announced that last year’s tournament would be his final March Madness. The play-by-play phenom had called tournament games since 1990, but he elected to step away from the gig to spend time with his kids. 

So, who is going to be on the microphone to call the college hoops action? Here are the announcing teams from CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery for this year’s tournament. 

SN’s MARCH MADNESS HQ
Live NCAA bracket news | TV schedule | Printable PDF

2024 March Madness Announcing Teams

Ian Eagle’s team is now the top broadcast crew for the tournament.

**Regional Weekend teams**

Who are the March Madness announcers?

The studio shows will be hosted by Ernie Johnson in New York and Adam Lefkoe in Atlanta. Joining Johnson will be Charles Barkley, Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith, and Wally Szczerbiak. Greg Gumbel, who is typically the lead studio host, is not covering the tournament this year. 

Alongside Lefkoe in Atlanta will be Jay Wright, Candace Parker, and Seth Davis. 

Adam Zucker will also serve as studio hosts in New York with analyst Wally Sczerbiak and Jamie Erdahl providing game updates. 

As for the crews on the call, many longtime viewers will recognize the broadcast teams sitting courtside. Here is a guide to each broadcast team on site for the tournament. 

Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, Tracy Wolfson

With no Jim Nantz this year, Ian Eagle gets the call-up to be on the top broadcast team. Eagle joined CBS in 1998 as a play-by-play announcer for college basketball and the NFL. He’s also been an announcer for the Brooklyn Nets since 1995.

He’s joined by Nantz’s longtime partner Bill Raftery, who has been with CBS since 1983. The 79-year-old Raftery is of course famous for his, “ONIONS!” call during broadcasts. 

NBA Hall of Fame forward Grant Hill will also provide analysis, as he has since joining NCAA college basketball broadcasts in 2015. Tracy Wolfson, known for her role as the NFL on CBS sideline reporter, will shift from field level to courtside. 

MORE: Ultimate guide to March Madness: Expert picks, upsets, winners, odds & more

Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce

Brian Anderson has been the voice of MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers since 2007 and has been with Turner Sports on a national level since 2008. He’s joined by Jim Jackson, who has been calling games since 2007 following a 14-year NBA career. Allie LaForce is a sideline reporter for the NBA on TNT and played college basketball at Ohio University. 

Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, Andy Katz

One of the most exciting voices in sports, Kevin Harlan is back on the call for March Madness. Dan Bonner started calling NCAA Tournament games in 1991 and will provide analysis with former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy.

Big Ten Network college basketball analyst Andy Katz will report from the sidelines.

Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Evan Washburn

NFL on CBS announcer Andrew Catalon is back for another tournament run and will be alongside Steve Lappas, who’s been in the role of analyst since 2015. Evan Washburn, the NFL sideline reporter typically on Eagle’s crew, joins Catalon and Lappas for the same role. 

Lisa Byington, Steve Smith, Robbie Hummel, Lauren Shehadi

Lisa Byington became the first woman to call NCAA Tournament games for CBS and Turner Sports as a play-by-play announcer. She now holds the same role for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

Former NBA player Steve Smith and former Purdue great and NBA player Robbie Hummel will provide analysis. Lauren Shehadi is probably best known for her role as an MLB Network host and reporter, but she’s been doing tournament games since 2021.

Spero Dedes, Jim Spanarkl, Jon Rothstein

NBA, NFL, and college basketball announcer Spero Dedes has been with CBS since 2009 and started calling NCAA Tournament games in 2010. He teams up with Jim Spanarkel, a longtime analyst on CBS since 1998, and college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. 

Tom McCarthy, Deb Antonelli, Avery Johnson, AJ Ross

Tom McCarthy, the voice of the Phillies and a play-by-play announcer for the NFL, is in action for his first March Madness tournament. He has called games for CBS since 2014, but he gets the bump to the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

His analysts are Deb Antonelli, who has called men’s tournament games since 2017 and women’s college basketball since 2003, and Avery Johnson, who has been with CBS since 2019. AJ Ross will patrol the sidelines, much like she has for the NFL on CBS since 2018.

Brad Nessler, Brendan Haywood, Dana Jacobson

College sports fans will recognize Brad Nessler for his work as the lead play-by-play announcer for SEC football games — a role he’s had since 2017. In 2018, Nessler called his first NCAA Tournament games. Sitting next to Nessler will be former NBA big man Brendan Haywood, with Dana Jacobson reporting. 

MORE: Six Cinderella stars who could bust your March Madness bracket

March Madness announcing schedule 2024

Here are the announcers for each game on the 2024 schedule, which will be updated throughout the tournament. 

Sweet 16

Thursday, March 28

Friday, March 29

Elite Eight

Saturday, March 30

Sunday, March 31

Final Four

Saturday, April 6

National championship

Monday, April 8