From VCUAthletics.com:
The VCU Men’s Basketball team will not participate in the 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament due to COVID-19 protocols. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee has declared Saturday’s scheduled first round game in Indianapolis between the Rams and Oregon a no contest.
“With the utmost disappointment, our men’s basketball program will head home from the NCAA Tournament,” said Ed McLaughlin, Vice President and Director of Athletics. “We are heartbroken for our student-athletes, coaches, campus community and fans. Our team earned the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. The members of our program did an excellent job following COVID-19 protocols all year, including since we arrived in Indianapolis, so ending our season in this manner hurts even more.”
“We’ve been tested every day for the past three weeks, but within the past 48 hours we’ve received multiple positive tests. We are devastated for our players and coaches. It has been a dream for all of us to play in the NCAA Tournament. We appreciate the care of our doctors and administration this year, and all our efforts and attention will be put into our players at this time,” said VCU Head Coach Mike Rhoades.
The Rams earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament following a 19-7 campaign in which they reached the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Game for the sixth time since 2012-13. VCU was appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the 18th time in school history and the 12th since 2004.
VCU follows Atlantic 10 Conference, University and Virginia Department of Health guidelines to prioritize the safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff as well as the VCU community.
