Games will be played on two courts inside Lucas Oil Stadium and at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, the release stated. 

Selection Sunday is scheduled for March 14, with the Final Four taking place on April 3 and 5. 

“It’s great, to me I think it’s smart, I really do. I think it’s a good job by the NCAA,” Michigan State men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said Monday afternoon following the announcement. “I think if we take care of our business this is going to be the best alternative and I think we’re doing what’s best for the players, what’s best for the game, what’s best for the schools.”

The NCAA began discussions of holding the tournament completely in Indiana in late November. The thoughts developed as the NBA took on bubble-like settings that created a safe environment for teams to compete during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It worked so well in a different kind of way for the NBA (so) I think they’ve already kind of got the blueprint,” Izzo said. “I think Dan Gavitt and that group has done a great job of checking with the NBA and figuring out how they can kind of do things somewhat similar.”

The NCAA announced its partnership with local health providers to administer COVID-19 testing within the controlled environment to players, coaches, administrators and game officials as well as a collaboration with the Marion County Health Department to enforce protocols during the tournament.

“The 2021 version of March Madness will be one to remember, if for no other reason than the uniqueness of the event,” Gavitt said in a release. “With the direction of the Men’s Basketball Committee, we are making the most of the circumstances the global pandemic has presented. We’re fortunate to have neighbors and partners in Indianapolis and surrounding communities who not only love the game of basketball as much as anyone else in the country but have a storied history when it comes to staging major sporting events.

“This is going to be complicated and difficult; there’s no question about that. We appreciate the collaboration among the Men’s Basketball Committee and staff, our hosts and local organizers, the staffs at each practice and competition venue, and our broadcast and corporate partners. We will all pull together and stage a terrific national championship.”

Also in the release, the NCAA announced that it was closely monitoring the pandemic in order to determine whether or not having fans at the games would be feasible. A limited number of family members for each team will be allowed to attend their games, the release stated. 

“It’s going to be crazy down there, I’m hoping by then fans are allowed somewhere, hoping even media, I’m even pulling for you guys to get in,” Izzo said Monday. “I think it’ll be really good, I really do.”

MSU men’s basketball fell to No. 23 in the AP rankings Monday morning and now the Spartans will host AP-ranked No. 15 Rutgers on Tuesday at 9 p.m.