***UPDATE: One day after announcing that the ACC men’s basketball tournament would proceed without fans, the conference has decided to cancel the remainder of the tournament entirely due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.****
Florida State and Clemson players warmed up on the court before the planned 12:30 p.m. tip-off time, but quickly left the court after noon and did not return. The ACC confirmed that Florida State will represent the league as ACC champion.
UPDATE: pic.twitter.com/UTlO4MTVxI
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) March 12, 2020
This comes after the American, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC conferences announced they would be canceling their respective men’s basketball tournaments as well. Right now, the NCAA Tournament is scheduled to proceed next week without fans.
UNC was eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday night, falling 81-53 to Syracuse, in what may be the final men’s basketball game of the season for all ACC teams.
***UPDATE*** The NCAA has announced that the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments will proceed without fans due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
In response, the ACC announced that the final three rounds of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro will proceed without fans. Wednesday’s game between UNC and Syracuse at 9 p.m. will be the final game that fans can attend.
The ACC will alter the remainder of the #ACCTourney https://t.co/CxyECij26E
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) March 11, 2020
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, but the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Greensboro is still proceeding as planned.
The ACC released a statement on Tuesday confirming the tournament will happen as previously scheduled:
“After consultation with local and state health authorities, including the Governor and his medical staff, the Atlantic Coast Conference will hold its men’s basketball tournament as scheduled this week at the Greensboro Coliseum. As was outlined by the Governor during his press conference, high-risk individuals are discouraged from attending mass gatherings. We will continue to take precautionary measures and follow the guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, the league and the Greensboro Coliseum are taking additional proactive measures to provide a safe and clean environment for its institutions and fans.
The proactive measures the conference said it would implement at the tournament include:
- Frequent cleaning and sanitizing of common areas, restrooms, concessions stands, media areas, team areas
- Increasing the number of hand-sanitizer stations throughout FanFest and the concourse
- Posting and distributing the CDC “Stop the Spread of Germs” information to ensure all fans are aware as they enter and move about the building
- Emergency Medical Services being on scene for any medical concerns that arise
Media availability will also be altered in an effort to secure the locker rooms for players, coaches and essential team personnel. Post-game media access will take place in the Odeon Theatre, with additional player availability in secured areas designated by the ACC.
UNC opens its ACC Tournament schedule on Tuesday evening, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. against Virginia Tech. 97.9 The Hill’s pregame broadcast will begin at 4:30.
