Billy Packer, a college basketball analyst, dies at 82.

Billy Packer, a college basketball analyst, dies at 82.

Billy Packer, a long-time analyst for college basketball, passed away, his family said Thursday night

Billy Packer, a long-time analyst for college basketball, passed away, his family said Thursday night

Before his final Final Four in 2008, Packer, 82, spent 27 of his 34 years on Final Four broadcast teams with CBS Sports as an Emmy-winning college basketball commentator.

Before his final Final Four in 2008, Packer, 82, spent 27 of his 34 years on Final Four broadcast teams with CBS Sports as an Emmy-winning college basketball commentator.

 Packer's son, Mark, told The Associated Press that his father had spent the previous three weeks in the hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, dealing with various health problems before passing away from renal failure.

 Packer's son, Mark, told The Associated Press that his father had spent the previous three weeks in the hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, dealing with various health problems before passing away from renal failure.

Together with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire, Packer helped make three-man TV broadcast teams famous throughout his more than three decades as a prominent voice in the sport

Together with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire, Packer helped make three-man TV broadcast teams famous throughout his more than three decades as a prominent voice in the sport

Packer was also unafraid to express his opinions. One of his many memorable calls was "Simon says championship" when Arizona won the 1997 national championship behind a performance of 30 points by Miles Simon.

Packer was also unafraid to express his opinions. One of his many memorable calls was "Simon says championship" when Arizona won the 1997 national championship behind a performance of 30 points by Miles Simon.

From 1958 to 1962, Packer was a standout for Wake Forest as a player

From 1958 to 1962, Packer was a standout for Wake Forest as a player

He is better known in the sports world for his frank commentary on the biggest college basketball games from the sidelines

He is better known in the sports world for his frank commentary on the biggest college basketball games from the sidelines

Including many years of calling ACC games in addition to his responsibilities at CBS Sports, where he worked as an analyst from 1981 to 2008.

Including many years of calling ACC games in addition to his responsibilities at CBS Sports, where he worked as an analyst from 1981 to 2008.

Mark, Liz, and Brandt were all offspring of Packer, who also survived his wife Barb.

Mark, Liz, and Brandt were all offspring of Packer, who also survived his wife Barb.

On Twitter, Brandt Packer posted, "Rest in Peace to the greatest Dad, mentor, and best friend." "Throughout my entire life, I've strived to be like him."

On Twitter, Brandt Packer posted, "Rest in Peace to the greatest Dad, mentor, and best friend." "Throughout my entire life, I've strived to be like him."