March Madness has been canceled, the NCAA announced Thursday afternoon. Both men’s and women’s Division I college basketball tournaments will not be played as coronavirus measures tighten across the country.
Bucs coach Steve Forbes said he was heartbroken for everyone associated with the program, especially the team’s five seniors.
“These young men dedicated their lives to have the opportunity to represent ETSU in the NCAA Tournament,” Forbes said, “and it’s now been taken away from them at no fault of their own.
“While I wholeheartedly support this decision, I would like to be part of the conversation, in conjunction with the Southern Conference and the NCAA, in giving our five seniors another year of eligibility, so they once again have the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality by having the chance to play in the NCAA Tournament next year.”
ETSU had automatically qualified for the men’s tournament by winning the Southern Conference Championship Monday against Wofford in Asheville, North Carolina.
ETSU was entering the tournament after a historic 30-win season, the first 30-win campaign in program history.
“I want to personally thank my team and our fans for the magical season that has now come to an end,” Forbes said.
