NCAA cancels March Madness, basketball world reacts
The decision comes as a result of the threat that the coronavirus poses to the public
Following the lead of other sports and its own conferences, the NCAA announced that the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are canceled as well as all remaining winter and spring championships due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Upon hearing the news, many players and coaches took to Twitter to share their shock and disappointment following an exciting season in women’s college basketball.
Kelly Graves, head coach of Pac-12 champions University of Oregon, wrote, “It appears our ‘unfinished business’ will remain just that. Disappointed but I completely understand. I love & I hurt for my team.”
More from NCAA
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, April 6: Stanford defeats Arizona in a tightly contested matchup to win the national title
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, March 30: UConn and Baylor deliver a classic battle of storied programs
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, March 26: Louisville and Texas A&M survive and advance
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, March 23: Highlights from the first round of the NCAA Tournament
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, March 16: Tournament bracket released
The Ducks enjoyed an exceptional season led by senior Sabrina Ionescu, who became the first Division I player in men’s or women’s history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds last month.
Many basketball fans hoped to see Oregon face off against the dominant South Carolina Gamecocks, who were crowned SEC champions on March 8, in the final of the NCAA women’s basketball Championship.
University of Oregon guard Taylor Chavez joked on Twitter about playing in a “private Final Four pick-up style” tournament with fellow No. 1 seeds South Carolina, Baylor and Maryland.
The University of Northern Iowa pep band congratulated the school’s seniors and thanked them for their contributions on and off the court.
“Cyclone Nation, thank you for your endless support. Never thought it would end this way but I am so grateful for all the memories. Stay safe! #LoyalForeverTrue,” wrote Iowa State senior Adrianna Camber.
University of Louisville head coach Jeff Walz left his seniors with a word of advice: “ “You don’t remember days, you remember moments.”
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