About this time last year (2020) the NCAA basketball selection committee decided to cancel its March Madness basketball tournament due to the wild spike of COVID-19. However, they were bound and determined to hold this event in 2021, which they have done. At this writing, we are in the “Sweet Sixteen” week of this tournament.

However, much consideration had to be given to keeping the players, team personnel, game officials, and staff sequestered in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The NBA had set a pattern for that in 2020 by taking all of the same personnel to Orlando, Florida.

The NCAA selected Indianapolis, Indiana as their site for their 2021 March Madness, since the NCAA headquarters is located there with the city and surroundings having four stadiums and others close by as well and ample hotel space to house all that personnel. They held their breath hoping all would go OK.

Well, almost! The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams had multiple players affected by this virus and had to fly those players home while the rest of the team was sent home via bus, thus declaring their first game in March Madness “no contest.” At this writing, the committee is still holding its breath that no other team follows that path. That “no contest” advanced #7 seed Oregon on to play and defeat #2 seed Iona in the West division.

Perhaps one of the surprises in that 16 is that 25% (four of 16) are all from the Pac-12. This is an unusual number since the Pac-12 is often left with only one or two teams at this level with the Big 10 or SEC or ACC usually having three or four at that level. Upsets occur i.e., lower rankings often beating higher since the ranking system is somewhat subjective. Simply because one’s conference record is successful doesn’t mean such a team can succeed throughout. The committee does its best to consider all aspects in the ranking of teams.

More importantly, is that fans must consider that March Madness is “just another game.” Consider the fans who sent vile and threatening messages to Ohio State sophomore forward E.J. Liddell whose Buckeyes (ranked No. 2 in the South Division) lost 75-72 in OT) in the first round to No. 15 Oral Roberts University. These vile and threatening messages (one to the point of physically attacking E.J.) are just another hate message being rampant in America today. We must do all we can to overturn hatred.

Will you practice civility (helping others as well) in overcoming this despicable attitude?