Will we see the NCAA Tournament be played this year?

[Riley Zayas]

This is a huge question surrounding the world of D3 sports right now.

Pat Coleman and Dave McHugh put together a great article answering and analyzing this question.
https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2021/01/inside-numbers-long-odds-against-ncaa-tournament

Looking deeper, we talked with both Mark Morefield (UMHB women's hoops) and Clif Carroll (UMHB men's hoops) who give the perspective of teams currently playing and how they are looking at the doubtful NCAA tourney situation. One interesting thing? There is a lot of talk of organizing four-team double-elimination or single-elimination type tournaments if the NCAA were to cancel its tournament. When will we have a good idea of the future of the NCAA Tournament? Read the article to find out!
https://truetothecru.com/2021/01/21/how-umhbs-head-basketball-coaches-are-dealing-with-and-responding-to-the-uncertainty-surrounding-the-ncaa-d3-basketball-tournament/

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

To be blunt ... no, they won't be played.

The numbers, as we indicated in the article, don't show there are enough - and the numbers of those who are not eligible has steadily climbed since we published that (currently MBB at 50% and WBB at 51.5%).

Also, there are a lot of complications involved in trying to run the tournaments. The first week at eight different sites per gender (16 total) is apparently not generating hosts. Even stalwarts who drop everything to host have declined the option (a 40-page protocols program was sent to schools as part of the bidding process). There are a wealth of reasons schools aren't going to want to host this year.

And I've been told there are many who are nervous about the health and safety of student-athletes and campuses by not only transporting athletes well outside their current areas, but also bringing other schools and other people to campuses.

I would love to see a tournament, but the landscape simply isn't showing that feasibility.

[Pat Coleman]

I am a little less knee-jerk in my reaction but I have to agree that it doesn't look promising. We need some help, as I said in our piece.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Can I split the difference?  I don't think there's any way we see eight sites hosting the first weekend.  I do think there are options for having a tournament that don't involve that kind of logistical challenge; I hope the committee can figure out what they are.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Can I split the difference?  I don't think there's any way we see eight sites hosting the first weekend.  I do think there are options for having a tournament that don't involve that kind of logistical challenge; I hope the committee can figure out what they are.

And to clarify - 16 sites really. 8 for both men and women.

The logistics are daunting for sure.

[Riley Zayas]

I agree with all three of you. Only time will tell, but as you said in the video-cast the other day, the logistics are what is going to make it hard. From what coaches have told me, it is looking like we will see a bunch of small, 4-8 team tournaments held regionally rather than one large NCAA tournament. Logistics are easier when you have all of your teams coming from within 100-200 miles away and are able to hold a small tournament at one location.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The answer - DIII Championships are official canceled: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2021/02/committee-decides-championships-fate