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Andy Katz explains why NCAA’s new March Madness plan could be an advantage for B1G teams

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

Without having a 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament Championship, the NCAA is looking at options to face the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

One option being considered is to have the entire 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament to be played in one location, the NCAA announced Monday. The NCAA said that it is currently in talks with Indianapolis and the surrounding metro area to be that location.

Andy Katz, analyst for the Big Ten Network, gave some thought on how the proposed location could benefit the league.

“The tournament will be seeded 1-68 and the B1G more than likely could have as many as nine, ten or eleven teams in this field,” said Katz.

“The protocols of the NCAA Tournament will still stand in terms of who you can play in the first round. Don’t expect B1G teams to play each other in the first round, now it may happen in round two, or the sweet 16 or elite 8.”

Katz brings to light a couple other benefits to an Indiana tournament, “Travel – if this all takes place in the state of Indiana, the majority of B1G schools can get there easily.”

“Familiarity, if they’re using other venues in the state of Indiana, possibly B1G arenas, that could be a benefit.”

We will have to wait to see what the final decision on how the Big Dance will move ahead, but as it looks now the B1G teams have some additional reasons for looking forward to postseason action.

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.