Eyeing SEC hoops tourney opener, Mizzou players say they’re prepared for any scenario
As the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball prepared for their Thursday game at the SEC Tournament in Bridgestone Arena, major developments happened off the court.
The NCAA already announced there won’t be fans from the general public at championship events because of concerns surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. That includes the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments: March Madness.
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic Wednesday. The University of Missouri suspended classes through March 15. As of now, Mizzou athletic events will continue.
SEC Tournament games were played as planned Wednesday with fans in attendance. But the SEC joined other leagues, including the Big 12, in limiting access to tournament games starting Thursday. Only essential staff, limited family and credentialed media will be allowed to attend.
Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin’s team was asked about playing in an empty 20,000-seat arena when the Tigers meet Texas A&M at 6 p.m. Thursday in the second round of the tournament.
“We were talking about it, but it would be weird,” Mizzou forward Jeremiah Tilmon said. “They can watch it from the crib. As long as they stay watching, they can cheer at home.”
The team has talked a bit about coronavirus concerns, forward Reed Nikko said. The Tigers seemed to be taking it all in stride.
“To us, it’s kind of something we’ll deal with it when we get there,” Nikko said. “But right now, we’re just locked in on Thursday’s game.
“There’s people much smarter than me in charge of dealing with that. If you guys need to know anything about fish, I got you. Viruses are out of my realm.”
Martin said he’s not worried about the virus. He said his team plans to play basketball however it’s presented.
“This is life stuff,” Martin said. “This sport is secondary to life stuff. It’s just a game. There’s life, sports. It’s really simple. If they shut it down, they shut it down. You keep moving.”
South Carolina coach Frank Martin recalled a road game in which his team played in a near-empty arena.
“Players don’t like running out to empty arenas,” he said. “It’s a deflating thing. Whether you’re at home, on the road or at neutral court, when you run out to play and there’s no one in the stands, it’s a different feeling. It’s not what we’re all trained to do, coaching in the SEC. We’re used to going out and playing in front of a lot of people.”
“It’s like a scrimmage, but it’s going to be on TV,” Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams said. “That’s never occurred in my career, so I’m not exactly sure what is the right answer, nor what am I supposed to say.”
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 5:37 PM.