Pac-12 Tournament canceled amid coronavirus spread
Mar 12, 2020, 9:16 AM | Updated: 11:34 am
Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After originally barring fans but continuing the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament as the coronavirus spreads through the country, the conference has decided to cancel the remainder of the tournament Thursday.
The decision follows suit with numerous other conferences around the country, including the SEC, AAC, Big 10, WAC, Big 12, MAC, A-10, CUSA and Ivy League. Most cancellations came within an hour of one another.
Pac-12 statement on men’s basketball tournament, Pac-12 sport competitions & Pac-12 championship events: pic.twitter.com/HjJvki3LOT
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 12, 2020
Three games were played at the Pac-12 Tournament Wednesday before the quarterfinals began Thursday. The Arizona Wildcats, California and Washington State all advanced to the next round.
Arizona was set to play USC at 2:30 p.m., while ASU was scheduled to play WSU at 8:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, the Pac-12 issued a statement explaining that the men’s tournament and other championship events would still go on, but would limit the locker room access for all the conference events taking place. In addition, the Pac-12’s Hall of Honor Event, which was set to be held March 13, will be rescheduled. The plan is to hold the Hall of Honor induction ceremony during the 2021 Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament. Other changes included enhancing cleaning protocols and more frequent cleaning and disinfecting producers.
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Outside of college championship events, the NBA has suspended its season until further notice after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert initially tested positive for coronavirus Wednesday night. Since then, teammate Donovan Mitchell has also tested positive for the virus.
Elsewhere in pro sports, Major League Soccer has officially suspended play for 30 days, while multiple NFL teams are reportedly discussing shutting down their training facilities due to the coronavirus, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The NHL advised teams to cancel practices, morning skates and meetings.
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