This seems to be the new "big" issue nationally. Will teams who are guaranteed an at-large bid opt out of their conference tournaments to avoid exposing themselves to Covid. In this scenario half of the Big 12 could safely opt out- do the 4 or 5 teams that are left then play for the automatic bid? Same with the Big 10. If Gonzaga (and possibly BYU if they keep winning) opt out, do the remaining teams get a chance for the automatic bid in the conference tournament. Can the NCAA do anything about this? I have my doubts because teams could simply claim they have Covid issues, the week of the conference tournament, and who could prove them wrong (there are likely to be some teams that "legitimately" will have to opt out). This would most strongly impact "bubble" teams that don't win their tournaments. This season is crazy and could get crazier.

Closing of a recent article by Dan Wolken-

Imagine getting through this entire season and putting yourself in position to go to a Final Four only to have several players forced to stay home because they contracted the virus at a conference tournament. That’s a nightmare scenario coaches are suddenly thinking about more frequently and talking about more publicly.

Nobody knows for sure where the conversation will go, but it’s going to dominate the discourse as college basketball’s rocky season heads toward its conclusion.