The Southeastern Conference has canceled the remainder of its men’s basketball tournament and suspended regular season competition for all other sports until March 30 out of concern regarding the spread of COVID-19.
The decision means Missouri men’s basketball will not play a game at the SEC tournament in Nashville.
“I’ve not had a situation as difficult and emotional as this one to make a recommendation to our presidents and chancellors that we cancel the remainder of our men’s basketball tournament,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said at a press conference in Nashville. “There’s no one in this conference who’s taken these decisions lightly.”
All of the other Power 5 conferences – the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 – canceled their men’s basketball tournaments.
As other major SEC events, including baseball and softball tournaments, loom on the horizon, Sankey said the conference will wait before announcing additional suspensions or cancelations.
“That March 30th date gives us an opportunity to take a step back from a rather intense 24, 36 hours and consider the direction with the remainder of the spring as scheduled or any adjustments,” Sankey said.
_Edited by Wilson Moore | wmoore@themaneater.com_