Two MAAC Tournament officials have tested positive for the Coronavirus. These officials worked the tournament game between the Iona Gaels and the Canisius Golden Griffins. The Tournament was later canceled just like the other conference tournaments and the 2020 NCAA Tournament. This reinforces the decision the NCAA made to cancel the remainder of the season.
Two officials who worked the MAAC Tournament game between Iona and Canisius in Atlantic City later tested positive for Coronavirus, per release.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 21, 2020
This is a concerning development for the players, staff, and fans that were involved in the 2020 MAAC Tournament. There is no word on if any players of personal are feeling any symptoms of the Coronavirus. The NCAA has not announced any plans to test players and it may fall to each school or even each individual player that feels ill.
MAAC officials moved in and canceled the Tournament just like other conferences did once it was clear the virus was going to spread across the country quickly. It seems that at least in part they were too late to prevent at least some of the spread. The Coronavirus has rocked The United States and the globe as a whole. It has virtually shut down sports and life as we know it.
This Coronavirus Outbreak will continue to affect college and professional basketball. It will continue to hinder recruiting, graduate transfers, and players debating an early jump to the NBA. The health and safety of the players, staff, and fans of college basketball have to be the number one priority for the NCAA. It is easy to be upset by the abrupt end to the season, but it was the correct decision.
Please continue to stay informed with CDC updates and stay at home whenever possible.
