
The Big Ten Conference is one of the oldest and most well-known collegiate conferences in the US, with a long history of competitive basketball. In 2020, the Big Ten basketball tournament was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This decision was made just twenty minutes before the tip-off of a highly anticipated game between Michigan and Rutgers, leaving players and fans disappointed. The tournament was not rescheduled, and there was no champion crowned that year. This was a difficult decision for the conference, but the health and safety of the student-athletes and community were prioritised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Cancellation | 12th March 2020 |
| Reason for Cancellation | Coronavirus |
| Decision Made By | Big Ten Conference |
| Games Without Fans | Duration of the Tournament |
| Champion Crowned | No |
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What You'll Learn
- The Big Ten men's basketball tournament was cancelled due to the Coronavirus
- The decision was made after the NCAA announced its own ruling for men's and women's tournaments
- Michigan and Rutgers were pulled off the court 20 minutes before tip-off
- The tournament will not be rescheduled, and there will be no champion crowned
- The Big Ten will now make decisions regarding other events

The Big Ten men's basketball tournament was cancelled due to the Coronavirus
The cancellation of the Big Ten tournament was a sudden and unfortunate turn of events. Michigan and Rutgers were warming up on the court, with Michigan players even pretending to pump up the non-existent crowd, when both teams were pulled off the court and sent to their locker rooms. Twenty minutes before tip-off, the Big Ten announced its decision to cancel the game.
Juwan Howard, Michigan's men's basketball coach, released a statement following the cancellation: "Some things are bigger than basketball. This is a global situation and we need to make sure we follow the guidance and direction of experts and health officials... We want everyone to stay safe and take precautions to protect yourselves and loved ones."
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren affirmed that the tournament would not be rescheduled and that there would be no champion crowned. He stated, "We wanted to make it clear that we're canceling it," emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved. This decision marked a disappointing end to the tournament, especially for the players and fans who had been eagerly anticipating the outcome.
The Coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly impacted sports events worldwide, and the Big Ten Conference's decision to cancel its men's basketball tournament reflects the gravity of the situation. The conference's priority shifted to ensuring the well-being of student-athletes, coaches, and the entire athletic community. While it was a challenging choice, the cancellation demonstrated the necessity of adapting to the evolving circumstances and prioritizing public health.
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The decision was made after the NCAA announced its own ruling for men's and women's tournaments
The Big Ten Conference cancelled the remainder of the men's basketball tournament due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made after the NCAA announced its ruling that there would be no fans at its men's and women's postseason tournaments.
The Big Ten tournament cancellation was announced on the morning of the tournament, causing a surreal scene as the Michigan and Rutgers teams, who were warming up on the court, were pulled off and sent to their locker rooms. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren stated that the tournament would not be rescheduled and that there would be no champion crowned. He emphasized that the decision was made with the well-being of student-athletes as a top priority, reflecting on the guidance provided by health officials and experts.
The cancellation of the Big Ten tournament raised questions about the fate of the NCAA tournament. However, Warren did not provide any hints about the potential cancellation of the NCAA tournament, only advising that student-athletes should be at the center of any decisions made.
The Big Ten Conference is one of the oldest and well-known conferences for sponsoring men's basketball. It has a long history of competitive basketball, with rivalries between universities like Iowa and Iowa State, Indiana and Kentucky, and Penn State and Pittsburgh. The decision to cancel the tournament was not taken lightly, but it was ultimately made to prioritize the health and safety of those involved.
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Michigan and Rutgers were pulled off the court 20 minutes before tip-off
The Big Ten Conference announced the cancellation of the remainder of the men's basketball tournament in 2020, citing concerns surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The decision was made just 17 minutes before the tip-off of the Michigan vs Rutgers game, leaving players and officials in a state of uncertainty.
Michigan and Rutgers players were warming up on the court, with some shouting "Let's go!" in anticipation of the game. However, their enthusiasm was short-lived as the announcement came just a minute or two after they had returned to the court. The teams were then pulled off the court, with Michigan's director of basketball operations, Chris Hunter, gathering the players at midcourt to share the news.
The Big Ten had initially decided to hold the remainder of the tournament without fans, but the situation escalated quickly, leading to the last-minute cancellation. The conference's statement emphasized the health, safety, and wellness of everyone involved, including student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans, and media, as the primary reason for the decision.
The cancellation left fans disappointed, with some traveling from across the country to attend the games. It also raised questions about the fate of the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which was believed to be potentially postponed or canceled as well. The abrupt cancellation of the Big Ten Tournament, especially the highly-anticipated Michigan vs Rutgers game, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding college basketball at that time.
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The tournament will not be rescheduled, and there will be no champion crowned
The Big Ten Conference announced the cancellation of the remainder of the men's basketball tournament in 2020, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made after Michigan and Rutgers were pulled off the court and sent to their locker rooms just 20 minutes before tip-off. Juwan Howard, the Michigan basketball coach, then delivered the news to the team.
The tournament was not rescheduled, and no champion was crowned. Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren stated, "We wanted to make it clear that we’re canceling it," emphasizing that the health and safety of the student-athletes were the top priority. This decision was the result of a careful evaluation process, with Warren consulting an infectious disease committee and seeking guidance from health experts and officials.
The cancellation of the tournament left many wondering about the fate of other sporting events, including the NCAA tournament. Warren's advice to other organizations facing similar dilemmas was to "make sure you put the student athletes at the epicenter of your decision."
The Big Ten Conference's decision to cancel the men's basketball tournament and prioritize the well-being of the athletes and community amid the global pandemic was a difficult but necessary choice. The conference's attention then turned to making decisions regarding other events and sports within the league.
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The Big Ten will now make decisions regarding other events
The Big Ten Conference announced the cancellation of the remainder of the men's basketball tournament due to the Coronavirus. The decision was made after the NCAA announced a similar ruling for its men's and women's postseason tournaments. Michigan and Rutgers were pulled off the court and sent to their locker rooms before the official announcement was made.
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren confirmed that the tournament would not be rescheduled and that there would be no champion crowned. He also stated that the decision was made with the student athletes at the "epicenter", prioritizing their health and safety.
The cancellation of the Big Ten men's basketball tournament raises questions about the fate of other sporting events, particularly the NCAA tournament. Warren's conversation with NCAA president Mark Emmert indicates the possibility of further cancellations or adjustments to upcoming tournaments and events.
The Big Ten Conference's decision-making process will likely involve evaluating the situation, seeking guidance from health officials, and prioritizing the well-being of student athletes and all involved parties. The impact of the Coronavirus has led to swift changes, and the conference will need to adapt and make timely decisions to address the dynamic nature of the situation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Big Ten Conference cancelled the remainder of the men's basketball tournament in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Yes, the decision was made due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Michigan and Rutgers were pulled off the court and sent to their locker rooms 20 minutes before tip-off.
No, the tournament will not be rescheduled and there will be no champion crowned.






































