NPR

March Madness Will Be A TV Affair

Citing fears of spreading coronavirus, the NCAA has taken the unprecedented step of banning basketball fans from attending any of the men's or women's March Madness tournament games.
Minnesota and Northwestern played before fans on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Updated at 11:21 p.m. ET

March Madness is going to be very different this year. The NCAA has decided both the men's and women's Division I basketball tournaments won't be played in front of fans. The energy. The excitement. The yelling. All gone. Thanks, coronavirus.

"While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans. "This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes."

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