Despite the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, Coach Bob Huggins from WVU remains hopeful. In a recent appearance on a Pittsburgh radio show, the Mountaineers coach proposed an idea to salvage March Madness instead of abandoning it completely.
During his interview on 93.7 FM’s The Cook and Joe Show, Huggins expressed his preference for the tournament to begin in September.
In addition, his proposal suggests that all teams would be given the choice to utilize any player from their previous year’s roster.
The coach of WVU shared with the radio show:
It’s important to acknowledge that the likelihood of having college football is quite low. Gathering a large number of individuals poses significant challenges. Personally, I wouldn’t envy the responsibility of making that decision.
Why not kick off the season with the NCAA Tournament? The teams, matchups, and venues are already decided. Let’s simply begin the season with the tournament.
Although this idea has the potential to generate significant interest, there are numerous obstacles that need to be addressed. It remains uncertain whether sports will return to their regular schedule during that time.
Another significant concern arises regarding the eligibility of players. If senior basketball players are permitted to participate, would the NCAA be obliged to grant an additional year of eligibility to all winter sport athletes as well?
Additionally, it would pose a significant challenge for players who are expected to be selected early in the upcoming NBA draft.
However, both West Virginia sportsbooks and those nationwide would eagerly embrace Huggins’ vision. The introduction of a tournament would rejuvenate sportsbooks, bringing a surge of betting activity after an unexpected period of sluggishness.
Return of March Madness
The US sportsbooks would greatly benefit from the resumption of any sporting event at this time. While it seems that sports will remain on hold for a considerable period, the upcoming fall season holds immense potential for excitement.
It is hoped that the NFL and college football will resume as scheduled, while other sports may be concluding their seasons. The recent rescheduling of the PGA Tour golf year could potentially result in an abundance of betting markets in sportsbooks by September.
Every year, the Big Dance attracts a massive amount of bets and that trend is likely to continue if it is moved to the beginning of next season. While it may require some coordination to establish a suitable TV schedule for all leagues, college basketball betting consistently generates significant interest in wagering.
Coach Huggins added:
In my opinion, I believe we should proceed with the tournament without delay. I mean, what’s the harm in dedicating three weekends to it? It’s not like the students will be missing a significant amount of class time. After all, the matches will primarily be scheduled on weekends. So, why not seize the opportunity and let’s go ahead with the tournament.
Regrettably, it appears that there are numerous obstacles to overcome in order to bring about its realization.
WVU’s Tourney Outlook
As implied by Coach Huggins, the tournament bracket was nearly finalized. The final spots may have been determined by the conference tournaments, but most teams had already secured their place in the postseason.
WVU was among the teams guaranteed a spot in the tournament.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected the Mountaineers as the 7th seed in the East Region, which would have pitted them against No. 10 Utah State in the first round. Based on this projection, it is expected that WVU would have been heavily favored in this matchup.
If the Mountaineers secure a win, they will likely face No. 2 Florida State in the second round. Being the underdogs, they will have to overcome a formidable challenge. The Seminoles had an impressive record of 26-5 this season, which allowed them to clinch the ACC regular season title.
After facing a challenging match against Villanova, WVU would have advanced to the Elite Eight to face top-seeded Dayton according to Lunardi’s bracket.
The Mountaineers’ chances of reaching the Final Four may have seemed unlikely, but the unpredictable nature of the NCAA Tournament means that anything can happen on the court. Upsets are a common occurrence, making it incredibly challenging to predict a team’s journey.
Unfortunately, the missed opportunity to witness the bracket’s actual gameplay is disheartening. Nevertheless, it is possible that coach Huggins’ remarks will not only initiate a conversation but also have a greater impact.
WVU Betting Odds
Although the possibility of having a 2020 NCAA Tournament seems unlikely, it is highly anticipated that there will be one held next year. Sportsbooks in the Mountain State have already started offering odds for the 2021 event.
Mobile betting apps include:
Next season, WVU is expected to present yet another formidable team, as numerous key contributors are set to return to Morgantown. DraftKings has provided the following odds for the Mountaineers’ performance in the upcoming season:
Win National Title
- WVU +1900
Make Final Four
- WVU +400
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