Despite coronavirus outbreak, ACC tournament allowing fans in to watch UNC, Notre Dame
While the NCAA decided the general public won’t be allowed to attend NCAA tournament games starting next week, the ACC will allow fans to attend its tournament games on Wednesday night.
NCAA president Mark Emmert said the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic is so severe that the only essential staff and limited family members will attend games. The Greensboro Coliseum is scheduled to host games March 20 and 22. Duke is likely to play its NCAA tournament in Greensboro.
The ACC tournament is being held in that same venue and fans will be allowed to attend Wednesday night’s second-round games featuring Notre Dame against Boston College and North Carolina against Syracuse.
A decision on whether to allow fans to attend ACC tournament games Thursday, Friday and Saturday is still pending.
“Tonight’s #ACCTourney games at 7 and 9 p.m. will proceed as planned,” the ACC statement said. “We are aware of the announcement by the NCAA and will evaluate the remainder of the tournament. More information will be forthcoming.”
Four quarterfinal games are scheduled for Thursday, with Clemson playing Florida State at 12:30 p.m., followed by N.C State against Duke.
The semifinals are Friday night, beginning at 7 p.m., with the championship game scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Saturday night.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 5:36 PM.