NCAA Tournament Prepping Big Dance For Fan, Player Safety

With March Madness upon us, the NCAA Tournament appears to be going the extra mile for player and fan safety. And maybe even the referees too.

The entire tournament will be held in Indiana this year, with the brackets for the entire field set to be released Sunday at 6 p.m. EST. This will be the first tourney in two years.

"The Marion County Public Health Department is 'reviewing and approving' the risk mitigation plans for games at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium, said department spokesman Curt Brantingham in an email," the Indianapolis Star reported.

The NCAA recently announced it will allow up to 25% capacity for each venue. It also revealed it has contingency plans in the event a team needs to bow out because of positive COVID-19 testing.

So the tournament appears to be ready to roll. All it needs is for more schools to punch their tickets.

"Bankers Life Fieldhouse officials said that they would follow the same protocols that they do for Pacers games," the Star reported. "These include face masks at all times for everyone two years and older; neck gaiters, bandanas and vented or valved masks are not allowed."