Power 5 Conferences to Play Tournaments Without Fans Due to Coronavirus

The ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC and Big 12 will follow the lead of the NCAA, as each has decided to play its conference basketball tournament without fans beginning Thursday in response to the coronavirus outbreak. 

NCAA president Mark Emmert announced Wednesday the men's and women's NCAA tournaments will be held with only "essential staff and limited family" allowed to attend.

The Big Ten followed suit, noting in the official statement that its men's tournament games beginning Thursday will be held without spectators.

"The main priority of the Big Ten Conference is to ensure the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all relevant information on the COVID-19 virus on a daily basis," the release stated.

The Big 12 also will prohibit fans from attending its men's and women's tournaments beginning on Thursday.

"We have the best tournament in all of college basketball. To have to take these steps is painful for all involved," Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said.

The ACC subsequently announced its decision in a statement:

"In light of the rapidly changing landscape regarding COVID-19, the latest developments nationally from health authorities and today's announcement by the NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel, the ACC will alter the remainder of the ACC Tournament.

"After consultation with the league's presidents and athletic directors, it was determined that beginning Thursday, March 12, all games will be played with only essential tournament personnel, limited school administrators and student-athlete guests, broadcast television and credentialed media members present."

The Pac-12 also will limit fan access to its conference tournament:

The SEC became the final Power 5 conference to limit fan access, as Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement:

"In light of recent developments beyond our control related to the spread of the coronavirus, including a recommendation from the NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel, and after consultation with our member universities, we have made the difficult decision to hold the 2020 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament in Nashville without spectators beginning with games of Thursday, March 12. Effective immediately, the policy will also apply to other SEC Championship events and on-campus regular season games scheduled through at least the end of March.

"After conferring with local and national health authorities, we remain confident in our ability to safeguard the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and other staff who will be participating as well as the limited number of family members and media who will be in attendance at the tournament.

"We regret the inconvenience and disappointment this decision has caused our fans, especially those who have already traveled to Nashville for the tournament."

First-round games scheduled for Wednesday that will go ahead as scheduled.

The coronavirus has spread throughout the globe in recent weeks, with more than 115,800 cases worldwide, per CNN.com. There have been 1,000 cases in the United States leading to 31 confirmed deaths, per CNN.com.

The pandemic caused the NCAA's COVID-19 advisory panel to "recommend against sporting events open to the public" in an announcement Wednesday.

After the Ivy League canceled its men's and women's conference tournaments, the MAC and Big West announced they would hold their tournaments without spectators.

The Big Ten and Big 12 now become the largest conferences to adjust their policies, limiting crowds in Indianapolis and Kansas City, respectively.