For the first time since 1938, there will not be a NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The NCAA announced on Thursday afternoon it has cancelled all winter and spring championship events, including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, amid the worldwide coronavirus outbreak. The decision came just hours after the cancellation of several conference tournaments and numerous programs suspended their athletic programs indefinitely.
NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI pic.twitter.com/G6XreZx35E
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 12, 2020
“This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to the spread of pandemic and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors said in a statement.
The women’s tournament has been held annually since 1982.
With the cancellations, the Ohio State men’s basketball team finishes the season at 21-10 overall. The women’s team, meanwhile, finished the year with a 21-12 record after making a run to the Big Ten tournament final last weekend.
