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Slam dunk: A look at the NCAA tournament experience at Indiana Farmers Coliseum

Mar 23, 2021
IUPUI served as host for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.Photo by Rachel Terlep, Indiana University

IUPUI hosted NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament games inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum for the first time in the venue’s history. Fourteen teams took the court March 19 to 22 for first- and second-round games.

IUPUI personnel worked with the NCAA leading up to the event, and IUPUI sports journalism students were part of the credentialed media to cover the action.

The historic arena played host to a Cinderella story as 15-seed Oral Roberts beat seven-seed Florida, 81-78. The Golden Eagles are Sweet 16 bound, only the second-ever 15 seed to reach the round of 16 in tournament history.

Although COVID-19 safety protocols allowed only a limited number of fans in the stands, those in attendance brought energy to the event. Here’s a snapshot of the tournament games IUPUI hosted.

a wide-angle view of the NCAA basketball court
Indiana Farmers Coliseum held seven NCAA tournament games from March 19 to 22. It was the first time the venue hosted the NCAA tournament.Photo by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
man wearing a mask and face shield wipes cleans a basketball rim
A member of the NCAA cleaning crew wipes down the basket area during halftime in the second-round game. Many health and safety protocols were in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Photo by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
an Illinois player dunks the basketball
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison dunks against the Drexel Dragons.Photo by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
players and coaches jump off the bench in celebration
empty chairs and fans

Photos by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images

a driving player lays it up
an Iowa players posts up against a Grand Canyon player

Photos by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images

Making the Madness” is a feature series that explores the IU Bloomington and IUPUI students, staff, faculty, alumni and venues that are involved in hosting the 2021 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

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