SEC basketball tournament canceled due to concerns of coronavirus outbreak
The SEC men’s basketball tournament has been canceled one day in. South Carolina’s season could be over.
The league announced it will not continue the SEC tournament on Thursday a day after deciding the games would be played almost no fans in the building. The news came soon after the Big Ten also canceled its tournament.
“We understand that this decision will be disappointing to our student-athletes and coaches who have been preparing all season to compete in this event as well as viewers at home,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “While this was not an easy decision, the health and well-being of our entire SEC community is of paramount importance.”
A team spokesperson said the team is preparing to make its departure Thursday afternoon from Nashville back to Columbia.
Events across the sports world are being canceled because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
The SEC had already announced all games would not be player with spectators through at least March 30.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday night the decision to not have fans at games only came about at a meeting late in the afternoon that day.
Barring something surprising South Carolina’s season could be over, unless the NIT is still played. On Wednesday night, that was still set to happen, but that was before conference started curtailing league tournaments. That would leave the Gamecocks at 18-13 on the season.
Fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone arena booed Wednesday night when it was announced they would not be let in the following days. NBA player Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronaviris on Wednesday. Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg had a illness scare that resulted in his team getting quarantined late Wednesday night, but the only had the flu.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 11:51 AM.
