Wednesday, October 7, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Upon Arrival

  • Whether at the top of the AP Poll or a surprise bid, 67 of 68 teams have made it inside the March Madness semi-bubble.
  • Here’s what the first few days have been like as teams have quarantined and started to practice.
Photo: BYU Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

After guiding his 8-seed Hoyas on their improbable run at Madison Square Garden, Patrick Ewing could have been granted anything he wanted.

Anything besides clean clothes, that is.

“Normally after the Big East Tournament, you get to go home, regroup, do laundry, get fresh clothes, and then leave,” Ewing told reporters upon arriving in Indianapolis. “Everything that we have, that’s all dirty.”

Here’s how teams have gotten basic essentials inside the bubble, from laundry to lunch.

Spin Cycle

As of Tuesday, with or without fresh shirts and socks, every team except Virginia had arrived inside the semi-bubble. 

The NCAA told FOS (and hopefully Patrick Ewing) it will clean athletes’ practice clothes every day. For “personal” laundry, teams will fill bags with dirty clothes to be brought to external washing and dry cleaning services.

If a team advances, their game-worn clothes will be washed as well. The NCAA did not specify what happens to losers’ laundry.

Swag Bags

The NCAA gifted athletes duffel bags full of free March Madness towels, hats — and clothes, photos show.

The NCAA also gave every player the new book about legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson, Jr. called I Came As A Shadow. 

Ironically, the book details Thompson’s disdain for the NCAA’s refusal to pay players.

Fine Dining?

Team members picked what they would eat in quarantine from a menu provided a couple days in advance, Tony Price, Maryland assistant director of video production, told FOS. Meals appeared at hotel doorsteps, packaged in brown bags and black plastic containers.

For lunch on Tuesday, for example, Price ate a grilled chicken breast and multigrain roll, along with corn, mashed potatoes and a salad. “It’s pretty good,” he said.

The hotel also dropped off a box of condiments including everything “from steak sauce to barbeque sauce.”  And if anyone gets hungry in between meals, there’s a snack box.

“I could be looking through rose-colored glasses,” Price said. But so far, “they have done a great job taking care of us.”

When they leave quarantine, teams gather in designated meeting rooms to eat from buffets, Ohio State videographer Will Laterza told FOS. Every night for dinner, a different restaurant caters — tonight’s meal will come from a steakhouse.

NCAA SVP of Basketball Dan Gavitt admitted that one team’s breakfast was delayed for almost an hour, and promised it wouldn’t happen again.

The general manager of the JW Marriott declined to provide menus to FOS, citing an NCAA request to not share specifics of the bubble.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Oct 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs for seventy-six yards against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson (3) and safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium.

Combined Sports Assets Give Skydance Leverage With NFL

The company’s co-CEOs spent Day 1 meeting with employees and press.

Judge Orders ICE to Release College Basketball Player

The government has 24 hours to appeal the ruling.
Oct 3, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders following a touchdown scored in the first quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado’s Skid Renews Questions About Deion Sanders’s Roster Model

Colorado enters its bye week on a three-game losing streak.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/7/26 – EuroLeague Rejects NBA, LeBron’s Helicopter Sparks Backlash, $12M Super Bowl Ads

0:00

Featured Today

Cubs behind the scenes

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Oct 1, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino speaks at 2026 Big East Media Day at Marriott Marquis.

St. John’s Booster Repole Says Team Better Make the Final Four

Mike Repole has contributed seven-figure sums to his alma mater’s NIL program.
October 5, 2026

Northwestern Stadium Developer Explains Empty Seats

The 35,000-seat stadium was officially sold out in its first game.
Sep 5, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Bob Chesney (center) talks to UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (left) before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
October 6, 2026

UCLA’s Football Spending Spree Is Already Paying Off

UCLA is 4–0 heading into a high-profile matchup vs. Oregon.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Exclusive
October 5, 2026

Portnoy on Fox ‘Big Noon’ Exit: Ryan Day Thinks I ‘Doxxed’ Him

Portnoy tells FOS that Ohio State pushed for his removal.
October 3, 2026

New-Look Pac-12 Returns for First Week of Conference Play

It’s a milestone many thought unlikely just three years ago.
October 3, 2026

NCAA Defers to ACC on Controversial Pitt–Virginia Tech Ending

The ACC declined to comment on the play call.
Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers watches his team as they play UMass-Lowell at Oceanside Ice Arena on Jan. 12, 2018, in Tempe.
October 2, 2026

ASU Commissions Independent Investigation of Hockey Workout

Coach Greg Powers was placed on leave earlier this week.