Andrew Pace
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been held annually since its inception in 1939, with the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament following suit since 1982. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused the first-ever cancellation of March Madness, marking a sombre moment for basketball enthusiasts. This unprecedented interruption to the tournament's long-standing history sparked a range of emotions, from sadness and anger to relief that the decision prioritised public health. As the tournament resumes, participants and fans alike look back on the lost opportunity with a sense of what if, grateful to once again celebrate the excitement and camaraderie of basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Reason | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Month | March |
| Event | March Madness |
| Type of Event | NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament |
| Frequency of Event | Annual |
| Previous Interruptions | None |
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What You'll Learn
March Madness was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19
March Madness, the annual NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time the tournament had been cancelled since it began in 1939. The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, which started in 1982, was also cancelled for the first time.
The decision to cancel the tournament was made by NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors. In a statement, they cited the evolving COVID-19 public health threat and the impracticality of hosting such events as the reasons for the cancellation. The statement also mentioned ensuring that the tournament did not contribute to the spread of the pandemic.
The cancellation of March Madness and other winter and spring championships affected many players, coaches, and fans. Some people expressed sadness and anger, while others chose to remain optimistic. Duke's Tre Jones, who had just been named ACC Player of the Year, expressed disbelief that his sophomore season was over. Kentucky's EJ Montgomery also shared his sadness, posting a group photo with his teammates. John Calipari of Kentucky lamented not getting a proper ending with his team.
Looking back five years later, fans and commentators still feel the loss of the 2020 tournament. Some wonder who would have won the championship if it had gone ahead, with Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida State, and Dayton all mentioned as contenders. However, most are just thankful to have the tournament back and are looking forward to celebrating basketball and enjoying the excitement of the games.
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This was the first time the tournament had been cancelled
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been held annually since its inception in 1939. The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has taken place every year since 1982. However, in 2020, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time the tournament had been cancelled in its 81-year history.
The decision to cancel the tournament was made by NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors. They released a statement explaining that the decision was based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat and the impracticality of hosting such events during the academic year. The statement also addressed the ability to ensure the events did not contribute to the spread of the pandemic.
The cancellation of the tournament left many people disappointed and frustrated. Some players and coaches expressed sadness and disbelief that their season had ended so abruptly. Others recognised the gravity of the situation, understanding that the decision was bigger than just sports.
The 2020 cancellation of March Madness was a significant event, marking the first time the tournament had ever been cancelled. It was a difficult decision that impacted many people, but it was made with the health and safety of the public in mind.
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The 2020 cancellation was the first in the 81-year history of the NCAA tournament
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, has been held annually since its inception in 1939. The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has been held every year since 1982. In 2020, the tournament was cancelled for the first time in its 81-year history due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to cancel the tournament was made by NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors. They released a statement explaining that the decision was based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat and the impracticality of hosting such events during the academic year. The statement also mentioned their ability to ensure that the events did not contribute to the spread of the pandemic.
The cancellation of the tournament left many people disappointed and frustrated. Some people expressed their sadness and anger on social media, while others chose to remain optimistic. Duke's Tre Jones, who had recently been named ACC Player of the Year, expressed his disbelief that his sophomore season was over. Kentucky's EJ Montgomery shared a group photo with his teammates, indicating his sadness about the situation.
The 2020 cancellation of March Madness was a significant event in the history of the tournament. It was the first time the tournament had been cancelled since its inception, and it impacted many people, including players, coaches, and fans. However, despite the disappointment and frustration, many people also recognised the severity of the pandemic and the importance of prioritising public health.
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Reactions to the cancellation were mixed
The cancellation of March Madness in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought about mixed reactions. For some, the cancellation was a devastating blow. Duke's Tre Jones, who had just been named ACC Player of the Year, expressed disbelief that his sophomore season had abruptly ended. Kentucky's EJ Montgomery shared a group photo with his teammates, conveying their collective sadness. John Calipari of Kentucky also lamented the sudden end to the season, sympathizing with those who would not get a proper conclusion to their hard work. An anonymous coach, whose team was headed to the NCAA Tournament, expressed frustration at the cancellation, feeling that it erased all the dedication and effort of the players.
However, others displayed more understanding. Geno Auriemma, UConn's women's coach, expressed sadness about the cancellation of the women's NCAA tournament but acknowledged that the circumstances extended beyond sports. ESPN analyst Marcus Spears urged everyone to be cautious and considerate, emphasizing that the situation was serious and that people should look beyond their personal inconveniences. Long-time ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale supported the NCAA's decision, stating that they had no other choice but to cancel, and he offered his sympathies to those affected. Former Duke player and Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley agreed with the NCAA's decision but suggested releasing the brackets on selection Sunday as a consolation for the teams that would have participated.
Five years on, some fans still reflect on the cancellation with disappointment, particularly those whose teams had a strong chance of winning. However, there is also gratitude for the return of the tournament and the ability to celebrate basketball once again.
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Some teams may have won in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 March Madness tournament. This was only the second time in history that there was no national champion in a calendar year. While it is impossible to know who would have won the tournament, some teams were considered strong contenders.
One team that was highly regarded was Kansas, which had just beaten Dayton in the Maui Invite final that year. Wisconsin was also considered a strong contender, riding an eight-game winning streak into the postseason and having just cracked the top 20 rankings. Some fans also believed in their team's chances, with one fan claiming that Duke would have won, while another suggested their team could have pulled off an underdog victory.
While the tournament's cancellation was disappointing for many, it also had a silver lining. The speculation and the open-ended "what if" scenario have immortalized the teams in a way that losing in the tournament might not have. For example, a fan of the Dayton team, considered one of the best that year, gifted their father, a super fan, an autographed jersey to remember that team fondly.
Although the 2020 March Madness tournament was canceled, the speculation and discussion around it continue, with fans wondering what could have been and cherishing the teams they supported.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the NCAA canceled March Madness in 2020 due to the threat of the coronavirus.
No, the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament started in 1939 and was held every year until its cancellation in 2020.
Reactions were mixed. Some were sad, others angry, and a few chose to stay optimistic. Duke's Tre Jones, for example, expressed disbelief that his sophomore season was over.
The College World Series, Frozen Four, and all other NCAA championships for the 2019-2020 academic year were canceled due to the pandemic.
Yes, March Madness returned in 2021 and continues to be held annually.
