March Madness 2020: Coronavirus forces Ivy League to cancel tournaments | What it means for NCAA Tournament, Princeton

Yale Ivy League

Yale represented the Ivy League in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.AP

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The Ivy League announced Tuesday that it is canceling its upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournaments due to the coronavirus threat and will crown its regular-season champions, the Princeton women and the Yale men, as the automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Tournaments.

The Princeton men finished in third place in the Ivy League behind Yale and Harvard and would have participated in the four-team Ivy League Tournament this weekend at Harvard. Instead, their season is done. Princeton coach Mitch Henderson, Harvard coach Tommy Amaker and Yale coach James Jones all did not immediately pick up their phones when when called for comment.'

Tuesday afternoon, Henderson and Princeton women’s basketball coach Carla Berube released statements through the university.

Statement from Mitch Henderson:

"We appreciate the Ivy League's concern for the health and safety of the teams, coaches and fans in regards to canceling the Ivy League Basketball Tournaments. I am extremely disappointed for our student-athletes who will not have the opportunity to continue their careers as Princeton Tigers. This is an emotional time for all involved with Princeton Men's Basketball, especially our seniors – Jose, Wil and Richmond. They have been outstanding representatives of our program, I am heartbroken that they will not have another opportunity to compete on a national stage for our University."

Statement from Carla Berube:

“We understand that the well-being and safety of the teams, coaches and fans was at the heart of the decision made to cancel the Ivy League Basketball Tournaments. At the same time, our team is disappointed to not have the opportunity to compete this weekend alongside our fellow competitors. We were looking forward to showcasing the high-quality caliber of play inside the Ivy League on both the women’s and men’s sides. I am especially saddened for my colleague, Mitch, and his team. We were all looking forward to a great weekend for everyone involved with Princeton Basketball.”

Harvard guard Bryce Aiken blasted the decision on Twitter.

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The Princeton women finished a perfect 14-0 in league play, four games ahead of second-place Penn.

The Ivy League instituted its postseason tournament in 2017. Prior to that, the league crowned its regular-season champion as the automatic qualifier.

“We understand and share the disappointment with student-athletes, coaches and fans who will not be able to participate in these tournaments,” Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris said in a statement. “Regrettably, the information and recommendations presented to us from public health authorities and medical professionals have convinced us that this is the most prudent decision.”

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All tickets for the Ivy League Basketball Tournaments will be refunded in full, the league announced. Ticket holders with any questions should contact the Harvard ticket office.

Postseason competition may continue for winter teams in accordance with institutional policies.

Effective immediately, the League is also implementing highly-restrictive, in-venue spectator limitations for all other upcoming campus athletics events. The League is also canceling all out-of-season practices and competitions.

“Following a number of league-wide discussions throughout the last several weeks, we have decided to exercise caution in the interest of student-athletes, fans and the general community,” Harris said.

The Ivy League’s announcement comes one day after MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS announced the leagues would be closing clubhouses and locker rooms to the media because of the coronavirus.

Last week, Johns Hopkins hosted first-and second-round games in the men’s NCAA Division III Tournament but closed the games to fans out of concerns for the coronavirus.


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Meantime, the Big East announced it plans to go forward with its postseason tournament this week as planned:

The BIG EAST Conference is moving forward with our plans to conduct the BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden as scheduled on March 11-14. We have maintained a direct line of communication with the New York City Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management, who are not recommending the cancellation of large gatherings in New York City at this time. We will remain in close communication with our contacts in both units and at Madison Square Garden, the NCAA, professional leagues, other conferences and medical experts in the coming days and will provide updates as circumstances warrant.

The priority of the BIG EAST and our member schools is the health and safety of our student-athletes, administrators, coaches, event personnel and spectators who attend BIG EAST events. We encourage those attending the games to closely follow the CDC and New York City Department of Health hygiene and prevention recommendations relating to COVID-19.

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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media.

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