College sports world reacts to cancelation of 2020 NCAA Tournament, all NCAA winter and spring championships
Thursday has been a wild day for the sports world and it’s not even over yet.
After a series of conference tournament cancelations, the SEC pulled the plug on the 2020 SEC Tournament leading up to the tipoff of Day 2 from Nashville. Now the latest bombshell is the news that the 2020 NCAA Tournament has not been postponed but canceled.
In addition to the cancelation of March Madness, the NCAA announced all remaining winter and spring competitions have been canceled due the COVID-19/coronavirus outbreak.
Here is the official release from the NCAA:
Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to 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 reactions were all over the place, as you would expect:
— Saturday Down South (@SDS) March 12, 2020
UCF are your 2020 NCAA Champions in all winter and spring sports.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 12, 2020
Without question, one of the most incredible 24-hrs in American sports history. It all unfolded minute-by-minute, and culminated with one of our great spring traditions being canceled. Unreal to digest all of this.
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) March 12, 2020
While there are far more important issues at hand than basketball, what an incredibly sad day this is for all those athletes that worked so hard and now won't get to fulfill their dream.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 12, 2020
I have to admit, canceling the CWS when it occurs in June seems a little early to me … to say the least.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) March 12, 2020
Right decision by the NCAA. Had thought maybe they'd postpone but when you start factoring in all college sports, resuming practice in time to prep for said post-seasons, logistical issues and, more than anything, just the unknown, the only answer was to cancel.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) March 12, 2020
Absolutely devastated. https://t.co/YPsONjxltc
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) March 12, 2020
This is my nightmare. https://t.co/m302RvVeEu
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) March 12, 2020
https://t.co/xNvkw5MRG7 pic.twitter.com/u34OMnPHMw
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) March 12, 2020
Well damn https://t.co/O9K1h5RG9x
— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) March 12, 2020
Man, they pulled the plug on the CWS too. Rough.
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) March 12, 2020
My bracket is busted LMAO
— Jon Reed (@Jon__Reed) March 12, 2020
vasectomys are still on though right https://t.co/YeEzzmCqaR
— PFTCommenter(DC DEFENDERS 1st place in XFL BEast) (@PFTCommenter) March 12, 2020
This was the best Dayton basketball season maybe ever and they couldn’t even prove it in the NCAA Tournament.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) March 12, 2020
On days like this, how in the heck am I supposed to NOT touch my face!!! #COVID19 #BreakingNews #BreakingNewsOverload pic.twitter.com/NIYtV7Vuxk
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) March 12, 2020