On Saturday, the NCAA announced that the game of the first round between No.7 Oregon and VCU no. 10 is declared a non-match.
Oregon automatically advanced to the second round.
The Rams have received several positive tests over the past 48 hours, according to Mike Rhoades, head coach of the VCU.
“The NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee has declared the VCU-Oregon game scheduled for Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum a non-game due to COVID-19 protocols,” the NCAA statement said. ‘This decision was taken in consultation with the Marion County Department of Public Health.
“As a result, Oregon will advance to the next round of the tournament. The NCAA and the committee regret that VCU’s student-athletes and coaching staff will not be able to play in a tournament in which they deserve the right to participate. “Due to privacy issues we can no longer provide details.”
This is the first NCAA tournament game to be canceled or declared a non-match due to COVID-19 issues. The NCAA set its deadline Tuesday night for replacing teams to enter the field; no teams had problems at that point.
To get into the NCAA Tournament’s controlled environment in Indianapolis, teams had to show seven consecutive days of negative COVID-19 tests. Once they are in Indianapolis, teams are tested daily.
“We have been tested every day for the past three weeks, but within the last 48 hours we have received several positive tests,” Rhoades said in a statement. “We are devastated for our players and coaches. It was a dream for all of us to play in the NCAA Tournament. We appreciate the care of our doctors and administration this year, and all our efforts and attention will be given to our players. at this point. “
Dan Gavitt, senior VP of basketball in the NCAA, said before the NCAA tournament that a team can continue in the tournament as long as it has five “fit and healthy” players. It was expected that the contact detection of the NCAA Tournament and other COVID-19 protocols would prevent a team from having to withdraw due to one or two positive tests.
“With the biggest disappointment, our men’s basketball program will return from the NCAA Tournament,” Ed McLaughlin, vice president and director of athletics, said in a statement. “We are saddened by our student-athletes, coaches, campus community and supporters. Our team deserved the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. The members of our program did an excellent job according to COVID-19 protocols, also since we arrived there in Indianapolis, so it’s even more painful to end our season this way. ‘
Oregon will be the winner of no. 2 Iowa teen no. 15 Grand Canyon.