College basketball on CBS will have a different look next season with the firing of Billy Packer and the naming of studio analyst Clark Kellogg to replace him during games.

Sean McManus, who oversees CBS' sports and news divisions, said in a statement that he "can't express how important (Packer) has been. It is almost impossible to over-estimate his passion, knowledge and commitment to the game."

Said Jim Nantz, Packer's on-air NCAA partner, in a statement: "No one has ever loved the game of college basketball more than Billy Packer. Fans don't realize they owe Billy a thank you. Billy always protects the best interests of the game."

Packer joined CBS in 1982, after having called NCAA tournament action on NBC with Dick Enberg and the late Al McGuire.

Packer, who has been part of every Final Four telecast since 1975, is pursuing other basketball projects, according to the Associated Press.

Kellogg, who played for Ohio State, joined CBS full-time in 1997 after having worked at ESPN.

Kellogg, in a statement, said Packer's "knowledge of the game and its history is unparalleled. That, along with his passion and keen insights, enabled him to do his work as an analyst better and longer than anyone in the game's history."