The Big 12 Basketball Tournaments Have Been Canceled
Update #2: Thursday afternoon, the NCAA canceled all remaining winter and spring sporting championships, including the March Madness basketball tournament. Read their official statement.
Update: The Big 12 Conference provided more information about their plans for sporting events this spring.
According to a news release, all Conference championships will be suspended until April 15th. In addition to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in Kansas City, upcoming gymnastics and equestrian championships have also been called off.
"After consultation with our Board of Directors it was decided that cancelling these championships was in the best interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes," said Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.
Fans who've purchased tickets to any of these events will be offered full refunds, but details on that are still pending.
Original story: The sports world was shocked last night when an NBA player tested positive for COVID-19 and the season was suspended. That news came hours after the NCAA tournaments had been limited to essential personnel and limited family members in attendance of all tournament games.
Now, the conference tournaments in the NCAA are being canceled, with the Red Raiders and Longhorns being escorted off the court before tip-off this morning.
The official word has been handed out to those in attendance that the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament has been canceled after playing two games last night, and that the Women's Basketball Tournament was canceled before it ever tipped off.
It's not just the Big 12 that has canceled, either. The Big Ten, SEC and AAC have all called off their tournaments, with many speculating that the NCAA Tournament is now at risk to starting on time or even being played at all.
With Texas Tech on the bubble and seemingly needing a win to get into the tournament, we'll just have to wait on Selection Sunday to see if Texas Tech is in or not ... if the NCAA tournament even happens, that is.