Log in
Subscribe Now
Search
Top News
Podcasts
Transfer News Live
Premier League
EFL
Bundesliga
La Liga
Serie A
Champions League
Europa League
International Football
Scottish Premiership
Fantasy Premier League
Women's Football
Gaming
NFL
NBA
MLB
MMA
Boxing
Olympics
Motorsports
Golf
MLS
NHL
Sports Business
Ink
Culture
Arizona
Atlanta
Baltimore
Bay Area
Boston
Buffalo
Calgary
Carolina
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Edmonton
Houston
Indiana
Jacksonville
Kansas City
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Memphis
Miami
Minnesota
Montreal
Montréal (français)
Nashville
New Orleans
New York
Oklahoma
Oregon
Orlando
Ottawa
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Sacramento
San Antonio
San Diego
Seattle
St. Louis
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Utah
Vancouver
Washington DC
Winnipeg
Wisconsin
Log in
Subscribe Now
By Dana O’Neil
December 16, 2021 5:58 PM EST
6 Comments
NCAA Tournament rules stipulate that a team must play 25 games to be eligible for the postseason. That, however, could change if COVID outbreaks continue to cancel games, NCAA executive vice president Dan Gavitt told The Athletic.
"It’s not something we need to do right now but if we get into mid to late January and it’s an ongoing problem, it’s something we might have to look into," Gavitt said. Just this week, a host of games — including a high-profile matchup between Ohio State and Kentucky — were canceled as positive tests prevented teams from fielding a competitive roster.
The NCAA does not regulate the regular season — permanent shutdowns or even indefinite pauses are at the discretion of individual conferences — but it does control how the postseason is run. Last year, the NCAA dropped its tournament threshold to 13 games to adjust for the lengthy COVID breaks many teams endured.
Gavitt also said that when weighing a team for at-large consideration, the Selection Committee cannot consider a game that has not been played. But just as it has the discretion to subjectively weigh player or coach availability when measuring wins and losses, it can at least consider a team’s strength of schedule as it was built, versus how it was played.
Iona, which lost its matchup against No. 16 Seton Hall because of an outbreak with the Pirates, can’t get the boost it might have received for an upset of Seton Hall, or even actually playing the Pirates. But if the Gaels were up for an at-large bid there could — not would, but could — be a conversation about the schedule Rick Pitino intended to play.
Most critically, as of right now, there are no plans to make any drastic or dramatic changes to the NCAA Tournament. NCAA officials are in constant conversation about adaptability and testing, not just among themselves, but also with the NBA, as they seek advice and suggestions.
"We’re monitoring the situation closely," Gavitt said. "But at this early point, we are moving forward as planned."
The Athletic has a live blog about COVID-19's impacts on the college basketball season. Follow along here.
(Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Dana O'Neil
Dec 16, 2021
The coaches want a seat at the table and a key voice in decisions being made for the sport.
Novak Djokovic draws No. 1 seed in Australian Open amid uncertainty around visa situation
Nets blow out East-leading Bulls behind a combined 61 points from Big 3
Utah star linebacker Devin Lloyd declares for 2022 NFL Draft
Matty Beniers, Brendan Brisson named to USA men's Olympic hockey roster: Sources
Notre Dame to hire Baylor's Chansi Stuckey as wide receivers coach: Source
Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Josh Whyle will return for 2022 season
Todd Boehly withdraws from negotiations to purchase Washington Spirit: Sources
Blazers' Damian Lillard to undergo surgery for abdominal injury, out indefinitely: Sources
Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell returning for 2022 season
Dana O'Neil
Dec 16, 2021
The coaches want a seat at the table and a key voice in decisions being made for the sport.
Novak Djokovic draws No. 1 seed in Australian Open amid uncertainty around visa situation
Nets blow out East-leading Bulls behind a combined 61 points from Big 3
Utah star linebacker Devin Lloyd declares for 2022 NFL Draft
Matty Beniers, Brendan Brisson named to USA men's Olympic hockey roster: Sources
Notre Dame to hire Baylor's Chansi Stuckey as wide receivers coach: Source
Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Josh Whyle will return for 2022 season
Todd Boehly withdraws from negotiations to purchase Washington Spirit: Sources
Blazers' Damian Lillard to undergo surgery for abdominal injury, out indefinitely: Sources
Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell returning for 2022 season