As conference tournaments are underway and automatic bids for the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments are up for grabs, it has been announced that the games played in the NCAA Tournament will be played without fans in the stadium due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
It was announced earlier today by NCAA President Mark Emmert that the tournament is scheduled to go on as scheduled, but without fans in the arenas.
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020
Emmert states that only family members and essential staff will be allowed to attend the games, no word yet on what the protocol will be for media members.
The NCAA is not the only organization to close it’s doors to fans out of fear of COVID-19. The NIT, also referred to as the tournament for the teams that didn’t make the cut for ‘March Madness,’ also announced it will be played without fans.
The NIT will still happen but won’t have any fans in attendance, per NCAA.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 11, 2020
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournament announced that it won’t be playing at all in 2020.
The CBI has been cancelled due to Coronavirus, per release. pic.twitter.com/WHHHJSxwRp
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 11, 2020
There are rumors surrounding the location of games for both the NIT and the NCAA Tournament, especially the Final Four which was scheduled to be held in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on what the next steps are from all organizations involved.
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