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UPDATED: 7:15 P.M. ET:
The Atlantic 10 and VCU have both released statements.
Statement from the Atlantic 10: pic.twitter.com/jDvtq7mmks
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) March 20, 2021
Statements from VCU pic.twitter.com/QRKk4deGCy
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) March 20, 2021
UPDATED: 7:12 P.M. ET:
Multiple players for VCU have tested positive for COVID-19, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
VCU has received multiple positive COVID-19 tests in the past two days, per Mike Rhoades.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 20, 2021
The Oregon Ducks vs. VCU Rams game scheduled for Saturday night has been declared a no-contest due to COVID-19 protocols, the NCAA announced on Saturday.
The COVID issue came from the VCU program, so No. 7 seed Oregon will automatically advance to the next round of the NCAA tournament. The Ducks will take on the winner of the Iowa vs. Grand Canyon contest.
The NCAA said the decision to not play the game was made in consultation with the Marion County Public Health Department.
“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,” read the official statement. “Because of privacy issues we cannot provide further details.”
The Rams, a No. 10 seed, officially ended their 2020-21 season with a 19-7 overall record. This was the 18th time in program history that VCU had made it into the NCAA Tournament.
We will have more information as it becomes available.