Syracuse Basketball: 2021 March Madness in one region only way to go

If Syracuse basketball goes dancing next spring, its game or games in the tourney will all reside in one location.

As Covid-19 cases unfortunately soar across the country and numerous teams, including Syracuse basketball, pause their hoops-related activities due to positive tests, NCAA officials have elected to hold the 2021 Big Dance at one geographic area.

Amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, it’s up in the air whether the 2020-21 college basketball stanza will begin as planned next week. The Orange is slated to host Bryant from the Carrier Dome on Friday, Nov. 27, which is the day after Thanksgiving.

However, ‘Cuse head coach Jim Boeheim has tested positive for Covid-19, along with one other member of the program, the SU athletics department announced on Sunday night.

Boeheim said on a Zoom call with reporters last week that he’s hopeful a 2020-21 term will occur, and that his team will get to play its NCAA-allotted 27 regular-season contests.

The NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee, meanwhile, said on Monday that it will consolidate the 13 preliminary round sites that would have hosted 2021 March Madness games into “a single geographic area to enhance the safety and well-being of the event.”

I often criticize the NCAA for its inconsistency and incompetency, however, this organization has absolutely made the right call as it pertains to next spring’s Big Dance.

Syracuse basketball, if invited, and other 2021 NCAA Tournament participants would compete from a singular geographic region.

NCAA officials say via a press release that they are in preliminary discussions with the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis to potentially host the field of 68 around the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

This is also logical, due to Indianapolis already acting as the host city for the 2021 NCAA Tournament’s Final Four, from April 3-5. Of course, places like the Bahamas, Las Vegas, New York City, Miami, New Orleans or somewhere in Hawaii would have proven right up my alley for the Big Dance, but that’s just me kidding around. Indianapolis makes complete sense.

"More from the NCAA’s announcement. “The committee emphasized the importance of conducting the championship in a manageable geographic area that limits travel and provides a safe and controlled environment with competition and practice venues, medical resources and lodging for teams and officials all within proximity of one another.”"

My fingers are crossed that a 2020-21 campaign occurs, followed by a successful Big Dance next March and April, with Syracuse basketball naturally earning a berth.