Uncancel NCAA Tournaments and Other Sports Events

Janitor's view ^ | March 18, 2020 | Reasonmclucus

[kathsua]

The NCAA should attempt the difficult task of conducting its basketball tournaments in empty arenas. We need the positive energy of March Madness to offset the negative energy connected to the COVID-19 virus. March Madness can provide something to cheer about.

The entertainment industry has a long history of entertaining military troops on the front lines to help the morale of the troops. Television has made it possible for troops on the front lines of distant battle fields to watch major entertainment events like the Super Bowl.

.We are all "troops" on a battle field a killer virus has invaded. We need entertainers to boost our morale. Unfortunately we tend to have widely different entertainment preferences. March Madness and the Super Bowl have a relatively broad appeal.

March Madness can bring us together socially even if we are physically separate. Physical separation can lead to social isolation and depression which can increase susceptibility to illness. March Madness can give people something to talk about on their phones when many places are closed.

The NCAA could reduce the field to 32 teams and spread the opening round over four days so people could watch all opening round games.

The military could transport the teams to reduce virus contact.

[kathsua]

they should be able to play in empty arenas

[LouieFisk]

“they should be able to play in empty arenas”
—
I believe the players are concerned about getting the virus - some already have. Can’t force them to play and I don’t think it would go over well if you could.

[Meatspace]

You want college kids playing basketball to risk their lives for your amusement?

[BushCountry]

Ha, ha. Imagine the scores if on defense you have to stay 6 feet away.

[griffin]

They could all play with face masks....but maintain 6ft sporting distance. Could be a brand new game.

Or maybe we can wrap them all in bubbles.

[mmichaels1970]

Ain’t gonna happen.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Way too many people linking to these idiotic blogs

[griffin]

Sad, isn’t it?! Just like Running Man!

[Truthoverpower]

Everyone just needs to be patient and settle down for a couple weeks like the president has said until we get a handle on this whole thing If everybody just calm down and Chills out for a couple weeks , which is really nothing in the scheme of things, will have a good handle on who has it who doesn’t. And we won’t be Italy 🇮🇹. Which is a disaster Iran just let all 85000 prisoners out of jail. This is serious

[The Fop]

I posted a comment about this on another thread a few days ago..... Have 20 people per team.... Players plus coach and a few other assistants and trainers..... Put them all in one city that has a few good state-of-the-art courts.... We’re talking a total of Maybe 1400 to 1500 people Including referees, the people who work the scorer’s table, cameraman announcers, A few photographers.... That’s it..... More people ride a New York City Subway within a few hours.... Finish the whole tournament with an 8 or 9 days

[crusty old prospector]

Too much fear of trip and slip lawyers.

[SomeCallMeTim]

You want college kids playing basketball to risk their lives for your amusement?

They aren’t “risking their lives” . They’re risking a cold, with an 80% chance they get nothing. The morale boost to the country would be tremendous. Young men gladly, and proudly accept such risk. Make it voluntary. Reduce the field to 32. It would be FANTASTIC for the country.

[TBall]

At least play the Masters. All the golfers could stay six feet away from each other or whatever the safe distance is determined to be. The caddies could put on special gloves before removing the ball from a hole.

[mmichaels1970]

They aren’t “risking their lives” . They’re risking a cold, with an 80% chance they get nothing.

At this point, it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong. The train has left the station. After the president asks the country to limit gatherings to under 10. Governors are complaining that young people aren't listening and are making things worse. What do you think the chances are that the already bureaucratic NCAA is going to buck the trend and put "1400-1500" people (as quoted earlier) including college-age kids, together to play a basketball tournament? Even 40 or 50 people?

Pushing for that to happen seems like wasted energy.

[brownsfan]

This is a dream for the ruling class. They’ve proven the people are easily manipulated, and quite compliant. Bankrupting a significant portion of society, increasing those dependent on government, what more could a politician ask for?

The winner? Socialists.

[cherry]

because people get old and sickly is NO reason to stop sports and entertainment for others.....

college bb tournaments are the best...notice they were the first thing to go...deliberate...

[cherry]

they are not risking their lives....test everyone before hand, during and even after.......

[montag813]

Why can't they use canned applause like they did on the televised gladiator fights in that Star Trek episode?

[gcparent]

Love march madness. College basketball fav sport in our family. You do not risk kids lives for entertainment. They are not gladiators.

[mmichaels1970]

test everyone before hand, during and even after.

Right after they just got done telling us "normal folk" that we cannot test unless we are hospitalized (Ohio). I would LOVE to see the tourney, this idea just isn't going to fly.

My proposal might be to go crazy at the next tournament. For one year expand the field to 128. Make sure every team that might have made it this year is allowed in next year. Won't do much for seniors who graduate now, but so be it. Have a gigantic blowout party with it.