NCAA Looking to Move Entire Mens’ Tournament to Indiana

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PHOTO - NCAA.org

There has been a significant change in how the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will operate. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee announced Monday the relocation of 13 predetermined preliminary round sites for the 2021 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

In a statement officials noted that “in recent weeks, the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has engaged in a thorough contingency planning process to determine the most effective way to conduct a safe and healthy March Madness for all participants for the 2021 championship. Through these discussions, it became apparent to the committee that conducting the championship at 13 preliminary round sites spread throughout the country would be very difficult to execute in the current pandemic environment. The committee has decided the championship should be held in a single geographic area to enhance the safety and well-being of the event.”

The statement goes on to note that the NCAA is in discussions with the State of Indiana, and the city of Indianapolis, to host the entire 68-team tournament around the metropolitan area during March and April. The city of Indianapolis was already slated to host the Men’s Final Four from April 3-5, 2021.

UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, who is the chair of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee stated “My committee colleagues and I did not come lightly to the difficult decision to relocate the preliminary rounds of the 2021 tournament, as we understand the disappointment 13 communities will feel to miss out on being part of March Madness next year. With the University of Kentucky slated to host first- and second-round games in March, this is something that directly impacts our school and community, so we certainly share in their regret. The committee and staff deeply appreciate the efforts of all the host institutions and conferences, and we look forward to bringing the tournament back to the impacted sites in future years.”

The committee went on to emphasize the importance of conducting the championship in a manageable geographic area that limits travel and provides a safe and controlled environment with competition and practice venues, medical resources and lodging for teams and officials all within proximity of one another.

The statement adds that CBS Sports and Turner Sports will continue to distribute all 67 games of the tournament across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV and their digital platforms.

PHOTO – NCAA.org

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