COVID-19 claimed its first and hopefully last game of the NCAA Tournament as VCU-Oregon was ruled a No Contest after VCU returned multiple positive tests over the last 48 hours.
The NCAA's ruling means the Ducks will automatically advance to the second round. Per the NCAA, "The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has declared the VCU-Oregon game scheduled for Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum a no-contest because of COVID-19 protocols. This decision was made in consultation with the Marion County Public Health Department. 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 earned the right to participate. Because of privacy issues we cannot provide further details.”
VCU head coach Mike Rhoades and his team were understandably crushed by the news.
Heres the quote from VCU coach Mike Rhoades in a statement from the team. Multiple positive tests in the last 48 hours pic.twitter.com/2U4Epzv4vj
— Ben Malakoff (@RealBenMalakoff) March 20, 2021
Atlantic 10 commissioner Vernadette V. McGlade also issued a statement.
Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade issued this statement following the NCAA / Marion County Public Health Department decision to prohibit VCU from competing in tonights game against Oregon due to COVID-19 issues. pic.twitter.com/llB8qXGDRX
— Atlantic10Conference (@atlantic10) March 20, 2021
Oregon head coach Dana Altman also expressed empathy for his would-be opponent. Oregon will take on the winner of Iowa-Grand Canyon on Monday.
— Oregon Men's Basketball (@OregonMBB) March 20, 2021
