From The Tribune staff reports
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The NCAA announced Monday its entire 2021 men’s basketball tournament will be held in Indiana, with the majority of the competition taking place in Indianapolis.
Selection Sunday is scheduled for March 14 followed by the Final Four on April 3 and 5. Exact preliminary-round dates are to be determined.
“This is a historic moment for NCAA members and the state of Indiana,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “We have worked tirelessly to reimagine a tournament structure that maintains our unique championship opportunity for college athletes. The reality of today’s announcement was possible thanks to the tremendous leadership of our membership, local authorities and staff.”
According to multiple reports, the tournament will be hosted by Ball State, Butler, the Horizon League, Indiana, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue. Practices will be conducted at the Indiana Convention Center.
Games will be played (one at a time) on two separate courts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Competition will also be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hill in Bloomington.
“The 2021 version of March Madness will be one to remember, if for no other reason than the uniqueness of the event,” said NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt. “With the direction of the Men’s Basketball Committee, we are making the most of the circumstances the global pandemic has presented. We’re fortunate to have neighbors and partners in Indianapolis and surrounding communities who not only love the game of basketball as much as anyone else in the country but have a storied history when it comes to staging major sporting events.”
Each of the tournament’s 67 games will air on TBS, CBS, TNT or truTV.