‘I don’t want to die:’ Why Bruce Weber will understand if Big 12 cancels tournament
One could say the Kansas State basketball team played like there was no tomorrow during the Wildcats’ 53-49 victory over TCU in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday at Sprint Center.
Not only did the Wildcats play with a higher level of intensity than they showed during the regular season, no one knows if they will get to play another game at this event ... even after advancing to the quarterfinals.
The Big 12 announced Wednesday that only a limited number of fans, 125 per team, will be allowed in the arena for all of the tournament’s remaining games as a precautionary measure in response to the spreading coronavirus. But that was before the NBA suspended its season Wednesday night. There’s a chance the conference could follow suit and choose to postpone or cancel the remainder of its postseason tournament.
K-State coach Bruce Weber is well aware of the situation.
“It would be sad, but if they make that decision obviously it would be an educated decision,” Weber said. “We’re trying to protect everybody’s health and we don’t want our country locked down like Italy is right now where everyone is quarantined.
“It’s scary. I’m old,” added Weber, 63. “I’m in that group where people die (from coronavirus). I don’t want to die. I want people healthy, including myself.”
That response was amazingly candid on a day when people across the country voiced a wide range of emotions in response to the cancellation or alteration of sporting events.
Even if No. 10 seed K-State is allowed to play No. 2 seed Baylor at 6 p.m. on Thursday, it will happen inside a cavernous arena.
“It’s definitely going to be a different feel,” K-State senior Xavier Sneed said. “It’s basketball the same way, lace your shoes up and go on the court and make plays.”
“We love to have fans in the stands,” K-State junior Mike McGuirl said. “But we’re trying to win the game.”
All five power conferences decided on Wednesday to continue with their league tournaments as scheduled, only with limited fan access. The NCAA Tournament is also currently scheduled to be played at empty arenas starting next week.
But one conference, the Ivy League, opted to cancel its tournament and award its automatic berth into the Big Dance to its regular season champion: Yale.
The Wildcats hope to return to Sprint Center on Thursday and try to win another game at the Big 12 Tournament. But they also realize they might not get that opportunity.
There might not be a tomorrow, when it comes to the future of this basketball season.
“We’ve got to do what we have to do,” Weber said. “I would feel for the kids. I feel for the Ivy League kids. I know they canceled their spring sports. But at the same time, we’re talking about the long haul of our country and what it means to stay strong and healthy.”
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 12:16 AM with the headline "‘I don’t want to die:’ Why Bruce Weber will understand if Big 12 cancels tournament."