There will be no madness, no buzzer-beaters, no champion.
For the first time since 1938, there will be no NCAA Tournament.
Capping one of the most disappointing and responsible 24-hour spans in the history of American sports, the NCAA made the unprecedented and once-unthinkable announcement Thursday that it would cancel its signature event because of concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
With Selection Sunday a little more than 72 hours away and men’s first-round games scheduled to begin Tuesday, the NCAA executed the most stunning March moment of all time in terminating one of the nation’s most beloved traditions.
The cancellation impacts all winter and spring NCAA championships, including the women’s basketball tournament and College World Series, which was scheduled for June.
“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 the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,” the NCAA announced.
The need for the historic and preventative measure was illustrated when it was later revealed that a game official who worked in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament tested positive for coronavirus, but didn’t exhibit symptoms of the virus until 72 hours after the game. Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg caused distress, as well, while appearing ill and exiting Wednesday’s Big Ten Tournament. His team was briefly quarantined in its locker room before Hoiberg tested negative for coronavirus, but the scene demonstrated the potential consequences of continuing the postseason.
On Wednesday, the NCAA attempted to salvage its marquee tournament, deciding that games would be played without fans in attendance. But after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus and the NBA suspended all play, every major sports league followed suit, with the NHL, MLB, MLS and pro tennis tours — among others — all halting action.
The NCAA, which first held its national basketball tournament in 1939 and continued through World War II — long before the must-see event raked in billions of dollars and was hosted by 14 cities each year — faced more pressure when perennial contenders Duke and Kansas both essentially declared they would suspend all athletic competition for the foreseeable future.
However, countless coaches and players were blindsided by the announcement, expecting a postponement as an initial measure.
“I never thought it would get canceled,” said Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich, who had led the Pride to the school’s first tournament berth since 2001. “Everybody felt that way. Postpone it. One of three things happens: If it gets worse, then you cancel it. If it gets better, all right, let’s have the tournament. If it stays the same, then you’re dealt with the same tough decision and it can go either way.
“The range of emotions, we’re just devastated. This is the first time in 19 years our university is going to the tournament and the euphoria quickly becomes heartbreak.”
As of Thursday morning, conference tournaments were scheduled to continue in near-empty arenas — Rutgers and Michigan warmed up on the court for their Big Ten Tournament matchup — but a flurry of cancellations came from virtually every league, hinting at the devastating gut-punch to come.
St. John’s and Creighton strangely began their Big East quarterfinal game, but the league canceled the tournament at halftime. On Wednesday night, Madison Square Garden was nearly full for a doubleheader. One day later, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in the city and stated the famed arena — scheduled to host the East Regional — would likely be shuttered for months.
Now, college basketball won’t return until the fall — at the earliest — crushing the dreams of seniors whose final seasons have been unexpectedly cut short and long-suffering programs like Rutgers, which was projected to advance to its first NCAA Tournament in 29 years.
“I type this with a heavy heart, but on behalf of me and my teammates I just want to say thank you,” leading scorer Ron Harper Jr. posted on social media. “The year didn’t end the way we wanted it to and it was a big disappointment to all of us that the NCAA Tournament was cancelled. But we also understand that we need to prioritize safety first.”
Some coaches held out hope the brackets would still be released on Sunday, even if the dream matchups would never take place.
“I respect the NCAA’s decision to put everyone’s safety first,” Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley tweeted. “That said, every team deserves recognition for their season’s success. Brackets should still be announced on Selection Sunday.”
Everyone deserves so much more. Everyone, everywhere across the world.