'March sadness': NCAA announces basketball tournaments will be played with 'limited attendance'

Doug P. | 5:27 PM on March 11, 2020

As we’ve followed the coronavirus outbreak, there’s been much talk of canceling events where there would normally be a crowd, or by holding the event with no audience in attendance. Some school classes have been canceled, universities have switched to all online classes for the time being, and San Francisco has banned gatherings larger than 1,000 people.

Now there’s news about the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournaments:

BREAKING: NCAA Tournament games to have essential staff and limited family attendance only. https://t.co/H7iwJgIZdv

— Patrick Everson (@Covers_Vegas) March 11, 2020

The NCAA made the announcement in a tweet:

NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN

— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020

If you're criticizing this decision, you clearly haven't paid attention to literally anything that's been going on.

This is a serious issue. It's too bad if you can't go to a sporting event you want to go to. The state of public health is more important than your wants. https://t.co/ChEsUNkMdZ

— Adam Cheek (@adamncheek) March 11, 2020

More like #MarchSadness https://t.co/yrHHe4dnUz

— Brewster The Producer (@scottmbrewster) March 11, 2020

Even more significant stuff… This is wild. No fans at the 2020 NCAA Tournament. Say that out loud. #KUbball https://t.co/G3c9MTicwn

— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 11, 2020

Internet hysteria wins again

— Chad Cummings (@chadwick227) March 11, 2020

Pathetic. So sad the media keeps driving this

— Okc (@OKC243) March 11, 2020

Me rifling through https://t.co/6NPtvDDQMO trying to find a family connection to a current Division 1 basketball player. pic.twitter.com/f9QysjQxCL

— Sam Taylor (@pray4samtaylor) March 11, 2020