It looks like Ohio State basketball’s postseason life will take place all in one city. That’s because the Big Ten announced that the conference tournament will be moved from its original location in Chicago to Indianapolis. That comes after a decision has already been made by the NCAA to hold March Madness all within Indianapolis as well.
For conference officials, it came down to safety, priority, and logistics surrounding trying to have postseason basketball in the midst of a global pandemic.
From the Big Ten release:
“The Big Ten Conference Administrators Council, which includes the Directors of Athletics and Senior Women Administrators from all 14 member institutions, approved measures to relocate the 2021 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament from the United Center in Chicago to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The decision to relocate the tournament was made in collaboration with the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors and the conference office.”
“The decision to relocate the tournament to Indianapolis was based on multiple factors. First and foremost was the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, officials and conference constituents. Hosting both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in the same city allows for cohesive testing and medical protocols for both events, as well as centralized accommodations surrounding the competition venues.”
“The Big Ten Conference is grateful to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the city of Chicago and our partners at the United Center and the Chicago Sports Commission for their flexibility and to Indiana Sports Corp, Lucas Oil Stadium and the city of Indianapolis for being able to assist our basketball teams during these unprecedented times.”
“The United Center and the city of Chicago have played a vital role in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament over the past two decades and the conference looks forward to the tournament returning to the United Center in 2023.”
“The 2021 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held March 10-14 in Indianapolis and will precede the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which was moved to Indianapolis and surrounding communities in the state of Indiana in January.”
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— Big Ten Men's Hoops (@B1GMBBall) February 9, 2021
With Ohio State a sure bet to make the NCAA Tournament as a high seed less than a week after the Big Ten Tournament, you have to believe the Buckeyes will make a home of Circle City for as long as it can make March Madness last.
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