NCAA Lifts Ban on Tournament Games in New Jersey

Last fall, following a New Jersey bill that legalized sports gambling in limited areas, the NCAA banned the state’s college sports teams from hosting tournament games there, as punishment. (The legislation forbade betting on local teams, but no matter.) Which explains why undefeated women’s basketball squad Montclair State (29-0) recently played the first two games of its Division III tournament in Pennsylvania, rather than at home. (The Red Hawks won both.)

Yesterday, a week after a judge ruled against New Jersey’s law (banning sports betting indefinitely), the NCAA followed suit and lifted the ban. The ruling means not only will schools like Montclair State again get to host their own pre-season or post-season playoff games, but the NCAA tournament can set up shop in Newark, if it so pleases. [ESPN]