Source: Joe Robbins / Getty
Reaction continues to pour in after Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act was modified and signed by Governor Mike Pence on Thursday. NCAA President Mark Emmert was among those to express pleasure with the changes made. Emmert said he was surprised how quickly the state legislature reacted to the local and national backlash saying, “this bill is more important than a basketball tournament.” He also noted the NCAA was of course not happy that the debate over religious freedom and discrimination against the LGBT community happened during the men’s Final Four week. Earlier in the week, the NCAA spoke out against the religious freedom law. Emmert added that they reached out to state lawmakers in an effort to make sure there would be an inclusive environment for this weekend’s event and beyond. He’d previously said future events could be moved out of Indiana if the law wasn’t revised. The women’s Final Four is scheduled to be held in Indianapolis next year.
Events get underway on this rainy Good Friday with open practice sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indy beginning at high Noon. The sessions are free. Michigan State takes the court at Noon, followed by Duke at 1 p.m., Wisconsin at 2 p.m. and Kentucky at 3 p.m.
Source: Jeff Milner / Getty
GAMES: The Final Four men’s basketball games tip off Saturday from Lucas Oil Stadium.
In game one, Duke takes on Michigan State at 6:09 p.m. Game two tips at 8:49 p.m. with Wisconsin taking on undefeated Kentucky.
The NCAA Men’s Tournament wraps up on Monday with the championship game at 9:18 p.m.
Have a fun and safe basketball-filled Easter weekend in Indy!
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