NCAA Tournament won't change bracket, add replacement teams after it starts

The NCAA announced Thursday its plans for how to handle teams that must withdraw from the 2021 Division I men's and women's basketball championships due to COVID-19 issues.

After the men's and women's tournament brackets are revealed March 14 and March 15, respectively, replacement teams can only be introduced within 48 hours of the announcement.

No replacement teams will be added once the tournament actually begins. This means that the opponent of a team forced to withdraw would automatically advance to the next round in accordance with the no-contest rule.

Once the tournament brackets are finalized and released, no teams will be reseeded and the bracket won't change regardless of any withdrawals.

The men's championship commences March 18 with the First Four, followed by the women's championship March 21.