2021 NCAA Men’s Tournament to have limited attendance

It was announced on Friday morning that the NCAA “will allow a limited number of fans at every round of this year’s men’s NCAA tournament,” according to ESPN and multiple other sources. The article also confirmed that the tournament will have up 25% attendance and required social distancing and mask wearing. NCAA president Mark Emmert reassured worried fans on the NCAA’s announcement, saying “We continue to use the knowledge we have gained over the season on how to conducts games in a safe environment.”

The University of Alabama announced on Thursday that men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats agreed to an extension through the 2026-2027 season in the midst of Alabama’s awesome season, in which they’ve gone 17-5 (12-1) in the SEC. The extension also increases his salary to $3.225 million annually.

The McDonald’s All American Game has been cancelled for the second consecutive year due to the coronavirus pandemic. McDonald’s announced over 700 girls and boys nominees for the 2021 games on Thursday. It will announce a full 48-player roster, 24 girls and 24 boys, in a few weeks and will honor the class with a virtual celebration.

The number three overall recruit in the 2022 class according to 247sports, Amari Bailey, has committed to UCLA for the second time during his recruitment. Bailey committed to DePaul before the start of his high school career, but quickly decommitted after transferring to southern California power Sierra Canyon. Then, he made his original commitment to Steve Alford’s bruins. When Alford was fired, Bailey backed off to reconsider things. Then, this week he announced he had committed to UCLA, this time with Mick Cronin as their head coach, likely ending his recruitment.