
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.



From top: Oral Roberts players and coaches celebrate beating Florida to advance to the Sweet 16; Grand Canyon Antelopes fans show their support against the Iowa Hawkeyes; Warmups take place before the Winthrop Eagles and Villanova Wildcats' first-round matchup. Photos by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
From top: Oral Roberts guard Kareem Thompson drives against the Florida Gators; Iowa forward/center Luka Garza posts up against Grand Canyon forward Asbjorn Midtgaard; Eastern Washington forward Tanner Groves reacts during the Eagles' game against the Kansas Jayhawks. 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.