Supreme Court case could change the nature of college sports
A Supreme Court case being argued this week amid March Madness could erode the difference between elite college athletes and professional sports stars. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)WASHINGTON – A Supreme Court case being argued this week amid March Madness could erode the difference between elite college athletes and professional sports stars. In 1984, the high court rejected NCAA rules restricting the broadcast of college football. Currently, athletic scholarships can cover the cost of college athletes’ attendance at college. Whatever happens at the high court, how college athletes are compensated is already likely changing.
Betting sites offer software blocks for compulsive gamblers
(AP Photo/Wayne Parry)ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Some sports betting companies are offering tools that allow compulsive gamblers to block themselves from most online sites. Unibet last week announced it was making software from U.K.-based Gamban available to customers in the U.S. The software blocks thousands of licensed and unlicensed gambling sites and is constantly updated to add new ones as they appear. And states including New Jersey offer state-administered self-exclusion lists where gamblers can prohibit themselves from gambling for differing periods, or permanently. “We strongly support the ability of gamblers to self-exclude through both the operator and on their own personal devices,” he said.
Michigan St, Izzo in new spot as First Four participants
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to team members during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are in an unfamiliar position. Last time there was an NCAA Tournament, the Spartans reached the Final Four in 2019 -- the most recent of eight trips under Izzo. Izzo contracted COVID-19 early in the season, yet the Spartans opened with six straight wins. “One thing about coach Izzo -- the reason he has survived so long and he’s had such a great career is that they’re never easily defeated. MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs TEXAS SOUTHERNMount St. Mary’s (12-10) won the automatic berth out of the Northeast Conference.
Crowded bars: March Madness or just plain madness?
The NCAA Tournament and bars were made for each other, with fans of powerhouse teams like Gonzaga and longshots like Colgate pouring in to cheer their teams. This year, the tournaments back, and bars and restaurants, some shuttered for months, are open for March Madness, though things may look a little different. This year, the tournament’s back, and bars and restaurants, some shuttered for months, are open for March Madness, though things may look a little different. As for those who choose to watch at bars or restaurants, their experiences will vary depending on their location. AdIn Chicago, city inspectors cite bars and restaurants that violate strict capacity rules.
13 early thoughts about No. 1 Michigan basketball’s NCAA Tournament region
1 seed in this season’s NCAA Tournament after going 20-4 and winning the regular season Big Ten championship. 1 seed, Michigan should have a major advantage, but you can never say never in the NCAA Tournament. Ironically, his final game before getting fired at Louisville was a second-round loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament. It started with the blowout loss to Illinois and continued with a couple of incomplete performances against Michigan State. Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines battles for a loose ball against Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Fewer brackets but same number plan bets on March Madness
But 8% fewer plan to fill out brackets pools because many offices remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Fewer Americans expect to fill out brackets for the NCAA's college basketball tournament this year, but the overall number of people making bets on March Madness should remain about the same as the last time the tournament was held, according to the gambling industry's national trade association. The American Gaming Association released figures Sunday predicting that more than 47 million Americans plan to make a bet — legal or otherwise — on March Madness this year. That's about the same number that said they planned to bet on the 2019 tournament. “The sports betting landscape has changed dramatically since 2019, and as a result, tournament betting has transformed,” AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said.
March Madness in one place? NCAA looking at Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Maryland-Baltimore County pulled off one of the greatest upsets in American sports history at the 2018 NCAA Tournament, knocking off Virginia to become the first No. 4 seeds during an opening weekend that epitomized the beloved spectacle the NCAA Tournament has become. Multiple basketball programs are currently on pause due to COVID-19 and the Ivy League announced last week the cancellation of winter sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. Gavitt said there is no plan to change the start date and the NCAA Tournament is expected to be played in March and April as scheduled. A one-site NCAA Tournament will cause a financial hit to the cities scheduled to host early-round and regional games.
Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena to host regional round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
DETROIT – Detroit will be one of four regional hosts for the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. It will be the third time Little Caesars Arena has hosted NCAA Tournament action. The arena hosted first- and second-round games in 2018 and will do the same for the 2021 tournament. The NCAA listed the University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland University as official co-hosts of the region. Click here to view the NCAA’s full announcement of host site selections from 2023 to 2026.
NCAA approves plan for basketball players to access coaches
The NCAA Division I Council on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, approved a plan to allow college basketball players to start working with their coaches for the first time since the pandemic wiped out March Madness. The summer access period for men's and women's players will begin July 20. The summer access period for men's and women's players will begin July 20. The NCAA basketball tournaments were cancelled days before the fields were scheduled to be selected because of the coronavirus outbreak. It will also consider adding more activities for basketball players during the July 1-19 period.
Legal sports betting in Michigan to go live just in time for March Madness
The Michigan Gaming Control Board made the announcement Friday that sports fans will be able to bet on March Madness games when the legal betting goes live. MGM Grand in Detroit spent $7 million on a sports lounge and sports book. It will have seven walk-up windows and 15 kiosks. Greektown Casino sports book will be on the third level with kiosks, televisions, a bar and food. Motor City Casino didn’t respond to a comment request about what it has ready for sports betting, but it has met the requirements to begin onsite betting Wednesday.
Jamie Edmonds: Buckle up, it's tournament time
It starts with the conference tournaments, it rolls into the NCAA tournament and it ends with One Shining Moment. Who doesnt like watching games in the middle of the day on a Thursday? Juxtapose that with the shot of the Houston player on the court, head in hand, his season is was over. Well -- theres always this year for Michigan, or Michigan State or the 66 other teams that will be picked to play in the greatest tournament and greatest time of year! Buckle up, its tournament time!