Big Ten men’s basketball tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns
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The Big Ten announced Thursday it will cancel its men’s basketball tournament effective immediately, according to a conference press release, due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The decision was announced as Penn State was scheduled to play Indiana Thursday night in a second-round contest.
The cancellation comes less than 24 hours after the conference announced fans would not be allowed into Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis beginning with the tournament’s second-round games.
“The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release read.
“The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.”
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg left a Big Ten Tournament game against Indiana Wednesday night and was taken to the hospital after experiencing flu-like symptoms throughout the day and during the game.
Hoiberg was discharged later in the night after testing positive influenza A, according to a statement form the university. His team was quarantined in its locker room at Bankers Life Fieldhouse until Hoiberg was released from the hospital.
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said during a press conference Thursday that Hoiberg’s illness was a small piece of the decision to cancel the tournament. Nobody in connection with the Big Ten Tournament had tested positive for the coronavirus, he said.
The NCAA announced Wednesday that its winter championships, including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, would be played without fans in attendance. The Big Ten followed suit later that evening.
Warren said the main concern moving forward is the health and safety of the athletes participating in the events.
“The only thing I would offer from an advice standpoint ... would be that make sure you put the student-athletes at the epicenter of your decision,” Warren said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
A decision has not yet been made on conference tournaments for other sports, including men’s hockey, Ward said. Penn State hockey is set to host Minnesota in a semifinal game Saturday inside Pegula Ice Arena.
Selection Sunday is still set to take place Sunday evening. Penn State is expected to hear its name announced as a participant in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 when the bracket is unveiled.
The Nittany Lions are 21-10 and finished the regular season with an 11-9 Big Ten record. They finished tied for fifth in the conference standings and were the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten Tournament before its cancellation.
Penn State did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 12:01 PM.
