The University of Nevada Reno's baseball team is one of the best in the country.
But when they went to the playoffs last year, they couldn't play any games on their home field. Their home field is in Nevada. And under NCAA rules, there is no postseason play in any state where sports books are legal.
But the Mountain West Conference is trying to change that. They put through a proposal to the NCAA to allow postseason play in Nevada.
Carolayne Henry, senior associate commissioner for the Mountain West Conference, says the proposal - which much be passed by a committee of her colleagues in other conferences and colleges and university - will go through.
“We felt like it’s time to allow NCAA championship events to be conducted in Nevada,” she told KNPR's State of Nevada
For basketball fans, this means that Las Vegas - with all its new arenas - could be eligible for a March Madness regional, or even championship, series. But Henry points out there are many other sports that would benefit, including golf, tennis, baseball, and even Olympic sports.
Henry said in their proposal MWC pointed out that several conferences have held postseason tournaments in Nevada.
“Nevada has been a great host for our basketball championships," she said, "Our student-athletes like to go there… and of course our fans."
Henry said she "optimistic" that the committee will approve the proposal. If it is approved, the rule change would go into effect this year.
However, because of how the bid process works, fans wouldn't see some of the marquee men's basketball events for several years.
Carolayne Henry, senior associate commissioner, Mountain West Conference
