VCU-Oregon ruled a “no-contest” due to COVID-19 protocols, Oregon advances

It’s a situation everyone hoped wouldn’t happen but it has already happened in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA announced that because of COVID-19 protocols, it was determined between the NCAA and the Marion County Public Health Department that the matchup between 7 seed Oregon and 10 seed VCU will be ruled a “no-contest” and Oregon will advance.

The NCAA MBB Committee has declared the VCU-Oregon game a no-contest because of COVID-19 protocols.

As a result, Oregon will advance. pic.twitter.com/75PFpk8TbC

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2021

“The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has declared the VCU-Oregon game scheduled for Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum a no-contest because of COVID-19 protocols. This decision was made in consultation with the Marion County Public Health Department. As a result, Oregon will advance to the next round of the tournament. The NCAA and the committee regret that VCU’s student-athletes and coaching staff will not be able to play in a tournament in which they earned the right to participate. Because of privacy issues we cannot provide further details.”

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander Tweeted that a source told CBS Sports that VCU had a positive test on Wednesday, then two more on Friday night, and that got the Marion County Public Health Department to come in and determine with the NCAA that it was “too risky” to play.

Source: Kinexon tech that is tracking teams during practices and games was not the reason for removing VCU. Determination by officials was VCU’s situation might "look like it’s spreading."

Timeline on VCU’s positives surfacing:

Wednesday evening
Friday evening
Saturday morning

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 20, 2021

With the win, Oregon will advance and take on the winner of 2 seed Iowa and 15 seed Grand Canyon.

[Photo: @marchmadness]