By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky coach John Calipari has no problem with the NCAA’s decision to play every NCAA Tournament game in Indianapolis due to COVID-19 concerns.
“Bubbling it up is the safest way for these kids to play basketball. Having six courts in Indianapolis where they can play, and kind of like the old NAIA, if you remember, where there would be 32 teams come in, and when you lose, you’re immediately out. You’re on the bus and you go home. Just play it down,” Calipari said.
The Kentucky coach said he was told the reason the NBA bubble worked so well was because teams did not have to travel and got in a “rhythm” of playing games.
“They wanted to play every other day. Well, you know what, we can kind of do the same thing (in the NCAA Tournament),” Calipari said.
Rupp Arena was set to host first- and second-round games, something it will not get to do now until 2025.
“This wasn’t about Lexington. This wasn’t about Kentucky. This was about, we’re in an environment that we feel is the best way, and I agree with them. I think what they did and the stance they took, I think, was a good one,” Calipari said.
With the number of college games cancelled the first week, including UK’s game with Detroit Mercy, due to COVID-19 it makes what the NCAA has planned look even smarter.