Remaining games in Big Ten, SEC tournaments canceled
Fans enter The Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 12, 2020.[AP/ Michael Conroy]
After initially announcing remaining games would continue without fan attendance, Big Ten Conference organizers said remaining games in the tournament have been canceled "effective immediately."
The announcement comes a day after officials originally said games would no longer be open to the general public due to concerns over the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The Gophers were set to take on No. 25 Iowa Thursday.
Big Ten tournament to play remaining games without fans
A statement from the organization issued Thursday read, in part:
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 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.
The Big Ten Conference announced today that it will be canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, effective immediately.https://t.co/MeQMNScXKQ
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) March 12, 2020
The SEC tournament was also announced as canceled on Thursday.
ALERT: Based on the latest developments and the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Southeastern Conference today announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2020 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville.
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 12, 2020