SEC, C-USA Cancel Basketball Tournaments Amid Coronavirus Scare

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament in Nashville has been canceled. SEC officials in Birmingham made the announcement Thursday after one day of action. Conference USA has followed suit, canceling its tournament effective immediately.

"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," the SEC said in a statement.

The SEC's regular season champion, the University of Kentucky, will be awarded the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Conference USA has not made an announcement regarding its NCAA bid.

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"We understand that this decision will be disappointing to our student-athletes and coaches who have been preparing all season to compete in this event as well as viewers at home," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "While this was not an easy decision, the health and well-being of our entire SEC community is of paramount importance."

On Wednesday, the NCAA announced the annual March Madness tournaments, for men and women, would be played behind closed doors, with spectators limited to essential staff and family of players.

"While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States," NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. "This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, more importantly, our student athletes."

The Big Ten has canceled the remainder of its conference basketball tournament as well, with other conferences likely to follow suit. The decision to halt play was made on Thursday morning.