The Pac-12 Conference has announced they will play the remainder of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament with no fans amid the coronavirus.
Only essential staff, TV network partners, credentialed media, and limited family and friends will be allowed inside the arena for games.
They say the decision was made after new information, and the recommendation of the NCAA’s COVID-19 advisory panel. The Pac-12 Conference also says limited fan policies will apply to all Pac-12 sporting events until further notice.
This comes just one day before Arizona State University was set to play in Las Vegas in the Quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Leading up ASU's game Thursday, ASU did not send any cheerleaders or a band as a precaution.
The Pac-12 Conference released this statement:
"While we understand the disruption this will cause to our many fans, we have made this decision in an effort to do our part in helping to limit the spread of the virus and in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, campus communities, working and volunteer event personnel and all those who attend Pac-12 events.
We will continue to analyze and implement updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health authorities, and take any additional steps necessary to protect the health of participants and attendees."
However, the University of Arizona was able to play in the first round of the tournament Wednesday, defeating the University of Washington 77-70 in front of a large crowd.
