Michigan Basketball: Fans banned at NCAA, Big Ten tournaments

Michigan basketball fans along with the rest of the NCAA tournament fans will have to watch postseason hoops from their own homes because of Covid-19.

It seemed like it was only a matter of time before the NCAA and other major sports organizations starting giving the word that fans wouldn’t be allowed at games and Wednesday, Mark Emmert, the President of the NCAA gave Michigan basketball fans and the rest of the college sports world, the news that the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments will be held without fans.

It’s shocking in some ways, but in others, it’s not. With outbreaks spreading across the country and the world, it seemed like only a matter of time before fans were banned in the interest of public health.

The Big Ten Conference also issued a statement earlier, before the NCAA issued one and said the tournament in Indianapolis would go on as scheduled, which now seems very much in question.

However, Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten announced an amended statement which indicated that the tournament would go on in Indy as planned, at least for now.

The Big Ten and the arena are going to step up precautions to try and keep people as safe as possible.

UPDATE 6:40 PM EST: The Big Ten announced fans will be not allowed entrance starting Thursday.

Obviously, it’s hard to blame the NCAA for wanting to help keep people safe and as just about everyone has said, things are going to keep changing as more facts become available.

But for now, get used to watching the NCAA tournament from the comfort of your own home. It’s actually a great way to watch and for millions of people, it won’t change anything about their March Madness experience.

However, for those fans of Michigan basketball and others that planned on attending these games and paid to take trips, it has to be disappointing. Certainly, it will make March Madness a totally different feel than ever before.