ACC men’s basketball coaches conducted a call this morning and “voted unanimously” to approve a proposal for an NCAA Tournament in ’21 that would include all D-I teams, according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski “spearheaded” the idea. Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim said of the proposal, “This is a unique time and it’s time to do something different” (TWITTER.com, 9/9). SI.com’s Pat Forde reported the plan would "turn conference championship week into the opening round" of the NCAA Tournament. From there, the field would be "reduced to 64-68 by the following week" (TWITTER.com, 9/9). USA Today’s Dan Wolken cited an ACC source who “really thinks there's a good chance the NCAA go for a 353-team NCAA Tournament.” The league is “unanimously behind it from commissioner on down” (TWITTER.com, 9/9).
Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the AAC women's championship in MarchGETTY IMAGES
BUBBLE WATCH: CBSSPORTS.com's Matt Norlander reported the Basketball HOF has sent a "detailed pitch to numerous NCAA stakeholders and college basketball programs about how it plans to host at least 32 games for at least 16 teams in a bubble from Dec. 9-20." Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., is "where the still-unnamed event would take place." The Basketball HOF, based in nearby Springfield, Mass., has "played its Tip-Off tournament at the resort and casino since 2011." The HOF "would operate the event with substantial assistance from Mohegan Sun." Frequent COVID-19 testing "would be provided by Connecticut-based Hartford Healthcare." Meanwhile, sources said that the Empire Classic, the Gotham Classic and the Legends Classic also are "under significant consideration to move their New York City-area tournaments up to Uncasville." A total number of teams for this event is "yet to be determined, but 16 was the initial target and pitch." A source said that there also is the "possibility of holding two separate bubble events to accommodate more teams." Sixteen schools "would be split into two pools of eight." Mohegan Sun is an "appealing bubble location not just for its pro-level basketball arena (it is home to the WNBA Connecticut Sun) and history in hosting college basketball events, but because it's already gained experience hosting sporting events in the time of coronavirus: it's been a bubble hub for boxing and mixed martial arts" (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/8).
