THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: We won't take the NCAAs — or any sport — for granted again

What a welcome sight the NCAA Tournament Selection Show will be later today.

It was a year ago at this time when COVID-19 starting bringing the sporting world to a halt.

One year later, we're kinda/sorta back to normal, though not totally.

Some fans are finally being allowed back into sporting venues, though when we'll return to the packed houses we're used to seeing ... who knows.

High school sports in Idaho are the closest to being back to normal — as we head into a spring sports season we were unable to enjoy last year.

LOOKING BACK, it was crazy how the sports world shut down so fast.

On a Wednesday, an NBA player tested positive for COVID-19, and the league suspended play.

On a Thursday, the NCAA did the almost unthinkable and canceled the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments — three days before fans were to learn where their favorite men's teams were headed in the Field of 68, and four days before a similar day for women's fans.

("They wouldn't dare cancel the NCAA tournament, would they," we all thought. "No way they'd turn down all those millions from TV."

They did).

Other pro sports would soon shut down their leagues as well.

On a Friday, high school sports continued in North Idaho — for the time being — while we all wondered what was going to happen next.

On a Saturday, a track meet in Lewiston turned out to be the final sporting event in North Idaho. At first the stoppage seemed temporary — or perhaps that was wishful thinking, as one month later, when organizers pulled the plug on high school spring sports in the state, it seemed a foregone conclusion.

ONE YEAR later, how nice was it to be outside on a sunny Saturday afternoon in mid-March, with spring high school sports returning in full swing? Did anyone care if it was a bit chilly?

This week, the NCAAs will be back, though instead of fans wondering what city their favorite team will be sent to for first-round games later this week, they'll learn which arena in the Indianapolis area their favorite squad will be assigned to.

Or for the women, which building in Texas.

Who knew that even seeing a few fans in the stands at pro and college games these days would be cause for optimism.

(Then there are the Mariners, who have been playing in front of limited crowds at home for years.)

Anyway, the Zags, who were one of the favorites to win it all last year, are an even bigger favorite this year.

And the Zag fans are giddy and poised to shove all those "You guys are good because you don't play anybody" comments back down their detractors' ... uh, throats.

Even though there are a few teams that could put it together for one entire game (not a half, BYU) and upset the Zags, there aren't very many of those teams this year.

Sadly, if you wanted to bet against the Zags, you might get better odds on a positive COVID test derailing the Lovables, rather than another team.

I don't think that is a bet anyone would want to win, though.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @CdAPressSports.