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Michigan was about 15 minutes away from tipping off against Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis on Thursday, but the conference made a sudden decision that rendered the team’s travel moot.
With coronavirus (COVID-19) cases escalating, especially in the wake of the NBA postponing the rest of its season on Wednesday evening, the Big Ten ultimately decided that in lieu of holding the tournament without spectators, it would be in the best interest of all parties involved to just cancel the event altogether.
While it might be disappointing for the players, with a potential pandemic on the horizon, it’s a move that protects their safety.
In a statement released by Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard, he echoed those sentiments, noting the difficulty for the graduating seniors and team captains, but still, keeping them and the team safe is a reward that outweighs the risk.
“Some things are bigger than basketball,” Howard said. “This is a global situation and we need to make sure we follow the guidance and direction of the experts and health officials. While we are disappointed of not being able to play this event — especially for Zavier and Jon, we need to stay bonded together during this time. We want everyone to stay safe and take precautions to protect yourselves and loved ones. We are a Michigan family … forever.“
It is unknown as of yet whether or not the NCAA Tournament will take place, as president Mark Emmett announced on Wednesday that it would still continue, but without non-essential personnel. However, that was before the confirmed cases of coronavirus hit the NBA, effectively canceling the league’s remaining games.
It’s certainly within the realm of possibility that the NCAA follows suit.