Coronavirus won’t stop the ACC tournament. Games will continue, commissioner says.
Editor’s note: The ACC canceled its men’s basketball tournament due to the threat of the coronavirus Thursday afternoon, after this story was published. Read that story here.
The ACC tournament play will continue with restrictions in place allowing only family members, essential staff and media in attendance.
ACC commissioner John Swofford announced the plan to continue with four quarterfinal games beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Greensboro Coliseum.
“We want to provide an opportunity to continue to compete in this tournament for our players,” Swofford said during a news conference. “Our understanding and belief is that that is what they would want.”
Swofford said each team will have 150 tickets for players and families and administrative personnel. Media already credentialed will be allowed to attend. He said bands and cheerleaders will be here at the discretion of their individual institutions.
The worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday, caused the NBA to suspend its season on Wednesday night. The NCAA announced its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be played without spectators allowed in the venues.
Several conferences, including the ACC, announced its tournaments would be played without fans prior to the NBA announcing late Wednesday night it would suspend its season indefinitely.
While saying the situation is “fluid”, Swofford said the consensus within the ACC’s leadership was to keep playing games. He also spoke with commissioners from the other Power Five conferences (Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC) who are making similar plans and decisions.
Thursday’s ACC tournament quarterfinals begin at 12:30 p.m. when top-seed Florida State plays No. 8 seed Clemson. No. 4 seed Duke and No. 5 seed N.C. State will play about 30 minutes after that game concludes.
Two more quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday night, with No. 2 seed Virginia facing No. 7 seed Notre Dame at 7 p.m. before No. 3 seed Louisville faces No. 6 seed Syracuse.
All four games will be televised by ESPN.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:53 AM.