Bevo’s Daily Roundup: COVID-19 has already forced removal of six NCAA Tournament refs

It took one positive COVID-19 test to force the removal of six referees ahead of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, including Ted Valentine, John Higgins and Roger Ayers, per Stadium.

From Stadium: “The NCAA brought 60 officials instead of the normal 100 to Indianapolis to work the NCAA Tournament during March Madness. One of the protocols in place was that the referees were not allowed to leave the hotel once they arrived unless it was to go to the arena. The referees were told to arrive by Sunday night and check into their hotel, but multiple officials said that the rooms weren’t ready upon their arrival, nor was there any food. Instead of having the officials wait in a secure area, they were allowed to leave for dinner and the group of Valentine, Higgins, Ayers, John Gaffney, Kipp Kissinger and Ray Natili all went to Harry & Izzy’s steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis. Upon their return to the hotel, they took COVID-19 tests and one of the referees tested positive, sources told Stadium. He then tested twice on Monday morning, and tested positive.”

WHAT THE WISE MEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Golden: Texas Longhorns in the Final Four? You beat

Austin American-Statesman: Upset? A history of 14-over-3 seed wins

Austin American-Statesman: Bohls: Baylor, Texas, more represent Big 12

Austin American-Statesman: Texas to battle Bradley in its NCAA opener

Dallas Morning News: Texas key offseason issues: Longhorn locker room must unite in ongoing debate over ‘The Eyes of Texas’

Dallas Morning News: ‘You built the culture here’: For Shaka Smart and Matt Coleman, Texas’ recent success has been years in the making

Inside Texas: ‘A foundation of love and respect’: Relationship between Smart, Coleman an intrinsic part of UT’s success story

Inside Texas: Five players who need to seize the moment (with alternatives)

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

The Longhorn Republic goes dancing

Texas gets bump to No. 9 in new AP Poll

Texas completes sweep against South Carolina

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

247Sports: Mike at Night: Scattershooting on Texas recruiting to start the week

247Sports: Texas one of a few schools standing out for Terrance Brooks

247Sports: Longhorns making a push for Texas High DE Derrick Brown

247Sports: Top Performers: Under Armour All-American Camp Series Dallas

247Sports: Elite safety Jacoby Mathews talks Texas interest

Inside Texas: Just In Time Evening News: 2022 OL targets talk UT

Inside Texas: Tamar Bates says the outlook on Texas is changing for the better

Inside Texas: Inside Scoop: UA Camp notes, quotes, and more

BIG 12 BREAKDOWN

Our Daily Bears: Baylor-Hartford NCAA Tournament Preview: Why the Bears win and how to watch

Viva the Matadors: Keep them coming: Tech baseball sweeps UConn

Viva the Matadors: Instant reaction: 5 things to know about Utah State

Frogs O’ War: Evaluating TCU tight end Pro Wells’ NFL Draft destinations

Wide Right & Natty Lite: Reacting to the Steve Prohm news

Bring On The Cats: Kansas State Basketball: Antonio Gordon enters the portal

Rock Chalk Talk: Tourney time

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: Every team in the men’s 2021 bracket, ranked 1-68

SB Nation: Why Gonzaga is good enough to be an undefeated national champion

SB Nation: Dorktown: The god-awful drive that changed NFL history

NEWS ACROSS THE FORTY ACRES AND BEYOND

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