After the time of the coronavirus pandemic interrupted the NCAA Tournament last season, the NCAA is taking steps to play in 2021.
The NCAA is moving its men’s basketball tournament of the same format from several cities to a singles venue to safely lead the crowning occasion for the National Champion of the Division I season, the organization announced Monday.
“It has become transparent to the committee that achieving the championship at thirteen initial circular venues across the country would be very difficult to carry out in the existing pandemic environment,” the NCAA said in its statement. “The committee made the decision that the championship deserves to be held in a single geographical domain for the protection and well-being of the event. “
This place will probably be Indianapolis, where the Final Four scheduled to take place on April 3 and 5. NCAA staff are in “preliminary talks” with Indiana and the city to host the tournament.
CBS Sports and Turner Sports will continue to distribute all tournament games on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV, according to the NCAA.
DO NOT RETURN: The NCAA must host a men’s tournament or
Limiting and providing a controlled environment will remain a priority for the plan-making committee, especially as COVID-19 infections are a record success across the country. playoffs in bubble format.
“The committee and staff have thoroughly monitored the pandemic to expand forward-looking contingency plans,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. << The Governing Council and my most sensitive priorities are to protect the physical condition and well-being of university athletes while improving their ability to compete at the highest level. These principles have guided the decision-making procedure as we continue to compare how to have a fair and championship experience. "
Indiana Sports Corp. had in the past developed a plan for groups and meetings to play in a bubble. These games would have been played on the courts of the Indiana Convention Center, and that would be an option for the NCAA tournament if there are no fans. Allowed.
“Indianapolis has a reputation for hosting the highest success in the country’s sports primaries, adding 8 Final Fours,” indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett tweeted. “Our city also houses some of the most productive public fitness professionals in the country, whose experience will be very important in making plans for a tournament. “
In addition to the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium, gym opportunities come with locals Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis University and Marian University. Southport Fieldhouse is another, the NCAA probably does not install games where there are top students. .
While the bubble extends beyond Marion County, which included Indianapolis, there are giant stadiums at Indiana University, Purdue, Ball State and Indiana State, which can allow a physical distance with some fans.
Gavitt told reporters at a conference call that the NCAA hoped to verify that Indianapolis is the host city until January 1.
“Preliminary discussions are only with Indianapolis, however, we have other cities on a list for if it doesn’t materialize (with Indy) as we expect. “
A resolution has not yet been made on whether the women’s basketball tournament, which is held at the same time as the men’s basketball tournament, will be adjusted to suit a format. The Women’s Final Four will be played in San Antonio.
“The Women’s Basketball Committee is proceeding with its ongoing discussions to the next steps of the women’s basketball tournament, the number one focus of those discussions is the protection and well-being of student athletes, coaches and others interested in organizing and achieving an NCAA Championship, Lynn Holzman, NCAA vice president of women’s basketball, said in a statement : “Due to the ongoing pandemic, the committee recognizes that the tournament may have another feeling. The committee intends to carry out a box of 64 tams and one thought of a variety of contingency plans, such as adding to cut the number of first and second minute circular venues or taking the entire tournament to one location, in conjunction with staff, medical experts and other stakeholders. “
Where are the venues for the 2021 men’s tournament scheduled:
The top four
Dayton, Ohio, March and 17
First and rounds
Boise, Idaho, March 18-20
Dallas, March 18-20
Detroit, March 18-20
Providence, Rhode Island, March 18-20
Lexington, Kentucky, March 19-21
Raleigh, North Carolina, March 19-21
San Jose, California, March 19-21
Wichita, Kansas, March 19-21
Regional sites
West – Denver, March 25-27
Midwest – Minneapolis, March 25-27
East – Brooklyn, New York, March 26-28
South – Memphis, Tennessee, March 26-28
Contribution: David Woods and Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.