Pac-12 will hold remainder of men's basketball tournament without fans
The Pac-12 Conference became the latest major college basketball conference to restrict fan access to its annual postseason tournament in order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
After starting the event under normal spectator conditions Wednesday in Las Vegas, the Pac-12 switched course and will bar fans for the final three days of the tournament through Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, except for essential personnel, family and friends.
Other leagues recently made similar decisions to help keep the COVID-19 outbreak from spiking beyond the capacity of the healthcare system.
"This decision has been made based upon new information, including the recommendation of the NCAA’s COVID-19 advisory panel," the Pac-12 said in a statement Wednesday. " Similar limited fan policies will apply to all Pac-12 sport competitions and Pac-12 Championship events until further notice. While we understand the disruption this will cause to our many fans, we have made this decision in an effort to do our part in helping to limit the spread of the virus and in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, campus communities, working and volunteer event personnel and all those who attend Pac-12 events."
The Pac-12 has six schools in two states – Washington and California – that have been among the hardest hit by the virus. By Wednesday afternoon, at least nine of its 12 campuses had decided to move classes online instead of in-person. The move also comes after the NCAA made a similar decision Wednesday about its men's basketball tournament next week.
The World Health Organization has characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, with more than 115,000 cases in 114 countries. More than 4,290 people have lost their lives, with thousands more fighting for their lives in hospitals.
Elsewhere in college basketball, the Big West, Big Ten, Big 12 and Atlantic Coast conferences are among other leagues that have made similar moves with their postseason tournaments. The Ivy League announced Tuesday it would cancel its men’s and women’s postseason tournaments.
Saturday’s Pac-12 championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT on FS1.