For many college basketball fanatics March is always the best month of the year. During the month of March there are games going on non-stop while 68 teams compete for a national championship in a tournament known as March Madness. Filled with upsets and stories of Cinderella teams making runs deep into the tournament, March Madness is paradise for anyone who loves sports.

   This year with the COVID-19 pandemic putting sports on hold many were questioning whether or not the NCAA would even play a regular season. Now, with the season underway and most teams reaching the midpoint of their own seasons, the question changed to whether or not the NCAA would be able to hold such a large tournament during the pandemic. On Nov. 16, 2020 the NCAA announced they would be holding the tournament in 13 different cities throughout the U.S. Then on Dec. 29, 2020 the NCAA announced that instead of playing the tournament in 13 different cities that the whole tournament would be played in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

   Selection Sunday, the day the whole college basketball world watches to see if their team made it into the tournament, will be held on March 14. The NCAA has announced that the games will be played in Lucas Oil Stadium and five other locations throughout the city. The dates for the preliminary rounds are still yet to be determined while the proposed date of the Final Four is April 3 with the national championship to follow two days later on April 5. All 67 games will be streamed by CBS Sports and Turner Sports on TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV and their digital platforms.

   The NCAA has seen a mix of emotions following the release of their news about the tournament. In response to the praise and backlash they have received, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt said “The 2021 version of March Madness will be one to remember, if for no other reason than the uniqueness of the event. With the direction of the Men’s Basketball Committee, we are making the most of the circumstances the global pandemic has presented. This is going to be complicated and difficult; there’s no question about that.” 

   The NCAA will be working with all the coaches, players and schools involved to make sure they are following the guidelines and restrictions in Indiana. The NCAA will also be working with local officials in Indianapolis to determine whether or not it is reasonable and safe enough to allow a certain amount of fans into the games. As of right now the only spectators allowed inside will be the family of players, coaches and staff. 

   The NCAA will promote “Mask Madness,” an initiative that will promote health and safety. As a part of the initiative the NCAA will donate thousands of masks throughout the state in the time leading up to the tournament.