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What a wild day, guys.
I was so excited for conference tournament week around college basketball all day Thursday and Friday, and looking forward to Mizzou potentially making an improbable run. Now that just doesn’t even matter anymore right now.
Because on a more important note, the NCAA announced that the entire NCAA Tournament will be played without fans due to the coronavirus outbreak, president Mark Emmert released in a statement on Wednesday. Here’s the full statement concerning COVID-19.
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020
Just like all conference tournaments this week - the remainder of this SEC Tournament will be played without fans, the league said in a statement last night. Here’s the full release from the conference:
Statement from the SEC:https://t.co/XIDH44gXei
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 12, 2020
And like many other universities, the University of Missouri has announced that they are suspending in-person classes until March 15th, the chancellor has announced, and all in-person classes will be held online through March 30. It is also very important to note that there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 on campus.
#CoronavirusUpdate for #Mizzou students, parents and employees: The university remains open, and faculty and staff are expected to report to work. Out of an abundance of caution, we have the following announcement: https://t.co/n4rEC4y8Va pic.twitter.com/JJpUeIRjHr
— Mizzou (@Mizzou) March 11, 2020
And here’s a statement released from Mizzou Athletics Director Jim Sterk:
Statements from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Mizzou A.D. Jim Sterkhttps://t.co/ijvxpQKCpQ#MIZ | #ShowMe pic.twitter.com/fgXTfxD1It
— Mizzou Athletics (@MizzouAthletics) March 12, 2020
That wasn’t all. The Utah Jazz-Oklahoma City Thunder game was postponed essentially right before tip-off. That’s because Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.
Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
Sources say Gobert is feeling good, strong and stable — and was feeling strong enough to play tonight.
The NBA immediately postponed their season because of it.
The NBA has suspended its season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
During Nebraska’s Big Ten Tournament game against Indiana, head coach Fred Hoiberg was sick on the bench and did not finish coaching the game.
Fred Hoiberg who is coaching the game while fighting an illness just left the court with several minutes remaining in the game. Hope he’s ok. pic.twitter.com/hBwjl9dQ31
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) March 12, 2020
I thought no fans at the NCAA Tournament was an overreaction. Not anymore. At this point, you have to wonder if conference tournaments and NCAA Tournaments are even actually going to be played.
Per text messages, lets put it this way, numerous coaches are wondering if we even have conference tournaments tomorrow
— Brian Snow (@BSnow247) March 12, 2020
So, does Missouri play against Texas A&M tomorrow? We’ve got a poll for you guys.
Does Mizzou play a basketball game tomorrow?
— Sam Snelling (@SamTSnelling) March 12, 2020
This is getting serious. As for now, just stay healthy and safe, people.
Onto the links.
Yesterday at Rock M
- Get To Know Your New Coaching Staff: Marcus Johnson, writes Nate Edwards
- Film Room: Introducing Shawn Robinson, Part Two - The Arm, by Tim Bussen
- PODCAST: Spring Football has Sprung! by Nate Edwards and Brandon Kiley
More Links:
(PowerMizzou)
- Read up on Gabe DeArmond’s latest mailbag (subscription needed)
- Mizzou will play SEC Tournament sans spectators, writes Mitchell Forde
- Spring practice rolls on as campus life comes to a half, writes Gabe DeArmond
(STLToday)
- NCAA will close doors to fans for national basketball tournaments, writes Dave Matter
- SEC basketball tourney will go on without fans, writes Dave Matter
- From Dave Matter: Will third time finally be a charm for Mizzou vs Texas A&M (if played)
(The Athletic - $$)
- “I’m a Missouri guy”: Why 2021 prospect Connor Tollison decided to stay in-state, writes Peter Baugh
(KC Star)
- Eyeing SEC hoops tourney opener, Mizzou players say they’re prepared for any scenario, writes Souichi Terada
- SEC barring fans from basketball tournament, regular season events, writes Souichi Terada
(Tweets)
- Here’s some good perspective from Cuonzo Martin on the coronavirus:
Too busy writing & reporting today to really process all that’s unfolded. Feel awful for Nashville & St. Louis and all the cities that expected to host big crowds for CBB games. At the same time perspective becomes clear with this thought from Cuonzo Martin. pic.twitter.com/17wLFFzf9J
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 12, 2020
- Mizzou Softball lost 2-1 to Illinois to fall to 19-7 on the season. They’ll visit Auburn up next Sunday through Monday.
FINAL | Tying run is stranded on third.
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) March 11, 2020
On the road at Auburn this weekend.#OwnIt pic.twitter.com/s2979GWyGq
- Mizzou Baseball beat Northern Illinois 3-2 on a walk-off in 12 innings. That’s a seven-game winning streak for the Tigers, who improve to 11-5 on the season heading into the SEC opener this weekend at Alabama.
That's a #Mizzou WALK-OFF WINNER❗
— Mizzou Baseball (@MizzouBaseball) March 12, 2020
Tigers 3, Northern Illinois 2 (12 inn.)
W - @trae_robertson (1-0)
HR - @super_MANN11 (1)@Claytonp151 sends the Mizzou faithful home happy with an RBI single to RF
7️⃣-game winning streak for the Tigers!#C2E ⚾ pic.twitter.com/CSapkqDm9S
- Congrats to Maddie Huitt, Carlo Lopez, and Savana Trueb (all freshmen!) on earning NCAA Championship Berths in diving!
RECAP | Huitt, Lopez, Trueb Earn NCAA Championships Berths on Final Day of Zones
— Mizzou Swim & Dive (@MizzouSwimDive) March 11, 2020
https://t.co/mrSaTiUQa2#MIZ pic.twitter.com/y3KdH7CBJY
- Here’s what former Mizzou WR L’Damian Washington had to say on BattleHawks Twitter!
.@MizzouMonstar2 had a monster game in week 5, but now we look to get back to our winning ways in week 6.
— St. Louis BattleHawks (@XFLBattleHawks) March 12, 2020
Hear from wide out L'Damian Washington ahead of our game this Saturday at Tampa. #ForTheLoveOfFootball x #ClearedToEngage pic.twitter.com/oewtaxZ3Rw
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