The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

The NCAA just announced that the entire 2021 Men's Basketball tournament will be held in one city (most likely Indianapolis).

Quote:Due to challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic, the entire 2021 NCAA men's basketball tournament will be played in one location, the NCAA announced Monday.

The NCAA said it is in talks with Indianapolis and the surrounding metro area to be that location.

The decision comes after NCAA officials met to consider a variety of contingency plans. The move means that 13 sites across the country will no longer host a preliminary round of the NCAA tournament.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...dianapolis

Well, the first and second rounds usually have 8 sites. Does Indianapolis have that many venues? (I guess they could hang a curtain down the middle of the dome and have two games going at once. I've heard that's been done before...)

(11-16-2020 02:18 PM)BatesUAB Wrote:  Well, the first and second rounds usually have 8 sites. Does Indianapolis have that many venues? (I guess they could hang a curtain down the middle of the dome and have two games going at once. I've heard that's been done before...)

There would only be a need for half that number as the same gyms can be used for the Thursday/Saturday sub-regionals and those scheduled on Friday/Sunday.

The Indianapolis Star listed possible sites:
Within Metropolitan Indianapolis
Lucas Oil Stadium
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Hinkle Fieldhouse
Farmers Coliseum
University of Indianapolis
Marian University
Southport Fieldhouse
Indiana Convention Center

Possibilities just outside the Metro
Indiana University
Purdue University
Ball State University
Indiana State University

I imagine the duration of the tournament may be contracted also, with no travel necessary between rounds.

Didn't think about the staggered game days. So, yeah, would only need 4 venues for the tourney, and bet you could definitely compress it down to 2 weeks. Also, gotta figure if they're doing this for the men's tournament they will likely do the same for the women's. Although I would imagine they would probably do it in a different city.

(11-16-2020 05:27 PM)BatesUAB Wrote:  Didn't think about the staggered game days. So, yeah, would only need 4 venues for the tourney, and bet you could definitely compress it down to 2 weeks. Also, gotta figure if they're doing this for the men's tournament they will likely do the same for the women's. Although I would imagine they would probably do it in a different city.

I'm hoping Dallas/Fort Worth for the women. There are plenty of arenas and maybe the curtain can get elevated to national status.

I actually kinda like this potential format (at least for this year). You have limited travel costs, control the environment and won't have 4 games in different time zones going on at once.

(11-16-2020 05:55 PM)blazerjay Wrote:  

(11-16-2020 05:27 PM)BatesUAB Wrote:  Didn't think about the staggered game days. So, yeah, would only need 4 venues for the tourney, and bet you could definitely compress it down to 2 weeks. Also, gotta figure if they're doing this for the men's tournament they will likely do the same for the women's. Although I would imagine they would probably do it in a different city.

I'm hoping Dallas/Fort Worth for the women. There are plenty of arenas and maybe the curtain can get elevated to national status.

You know, gotta figure not a lot of fans allowed, so little ticket money. That gap will need to be made up with ad revenue. That curtain is the perfect spot to place corporate logos, because they'll constantly be on the top of your TV screen. The curtain could be a revenue gamechanger.

CUSA. Leading the country!

(11-17-2020 08:49 PM)notnow Wrote:  CUSA. Leading the country!

Putting a shower curtain in between games.