GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Atlantic Coast Conference decided to cancel its 2020 basketball tournament moments before tip off Thursday afternoon as COVID-19 continues to spread.
The announcement was made less than an hour after conference commissioner John Swofford said the games would indeed proceed without fans in attendance.
“Following additional consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors, and in light of the continued conversations surrounding the fluidity of COVID-19, the Atlantic Coast Conference will immediately cancel the remainder of the 2020 ACC Tournament," a league spokesperson said in a written statement. "We are disappointed for our student-athletes, schools and fans to have to make this decision; however, the overall health and safety of all involved is the priority.”
Florida State, the league's regular season champion, will be considered the ACC Champion for 2020.
Other college basketball conferences like the A10, BIG 10, BIG 12, and SEC also canceled their conference tournaments. No decision has been made about the upcoming NCAA tournament which would normally tip next week.
“The primary issue with something like this is the safety of the fans and everybody else involved with the event.”
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) March 12, 2020
Commissioner joined Packer and Durham to discuss the #ACCTourney proceeding with limited attendance.
Watch full interview » https://t.co/7Mp8jMlWW4 pic.twitter.com/6LfyIFamns