NCAA Tournament

The NCAA is not going to replace any team in the Division I men's or women's basketball tournaments that might be forced to withdraw because of COVID-19 issues after the events begin. 

Per David Worlock of NCAA.org, the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball committees announced plans in the event that a team has to withdraw. 

The organization's determination noted "reasonable efforts will be made to ensure a full field is in place before the start of the championship. No replacement teams will be introduced after the championship begins."

There is still a possibility that replacement teams could receive a tournament invitation, but it will only happen before the event begins. 

"Replacement teams will only be introduced into the championship within 48 hours after the announcement of the field, and at no time thereafter," Worlock wrote.

Worlock also noted the NCAA will not reseed teams, nor will the tournament bracket be changed once it's finalized and released. 

The NCAA has taken steps to reduce the amount of travel that teams will have to do during the tournament in an attempt to decrease the risk of a potential coronavirus outbreak.

The men's event will be held in the Indianapolis area starting March 18. Teams included in the 68-team field will arrive in Indianapolis on March 13 and 14, based on the NCAA's travel protocols established for the tournament. 

The women's tournament is taking place in and around San Antonio, Texas, starting March 21. The 64-team field will be announced March 15, with teams arriving in the city on March 16 and 17. 

One month away from the start of the 2021 men's basketball tournament, the NCAA has announced it will allow a limited number of fans to attend games. 

Per an official statement, capacity will be limited to 25 percent at arenas with social distance protocols in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The capacity total will include team members, essential staff, family members from both teams playing in games and regular fans. 

"We continue to use the knowledge we have gained over the season on how to conduct games in a safe environment," said NCAA President Mark Emmert. "I want to thank our host universities and conferences, the Indiana State Health Department, and the leaders in the Marion, Monroe and Tippecanoe county health departments as they help make that possible."  

Friday's announcement comes after the NCAA previously laid out plans to hold the entire tournament in the Indianapolis area. 

The Final Four and national championship game were already scheduled to be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Two basketball courts will be installed at the stadium to allow for multiple games to be played at the same time during the early rounds. 

The city will now host a majority of the tournament's 67 games, but other venues around the area will also be used to avoid sending all of the teams to one spot. Purdue University, Indiana University, Butler University and IUPUI will also host games. 

Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, will be used for games during the first two weekends. 

The 2021 men's basketball tournament is set to begin with First Four games on March 18. The Final Four will be held on April 3, followed by the national title game two days later. The full 68-team field is scheduled to be announced on March 14.