First of all, let’s cheer wildly and be thankful. There actually WILL be an NCAA Tournament this year, so get those office pools ready and those days off to watch games all lined up.
It’s a stark contrast to this time last year, when the tournament was canceled for the first time ever, just a week before the brackets were set to be announced, due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic is still having an effect on this year’s tournament, however. While the brackets have been announced and games are set to take place, it will be a different viewing experience than normal.
Here are the ways this year’s tournament will be different. Usually, the 68-team tournament starts on the Tuesday after Selection Sunday, with the first four