Virginia, Kansas out of conference tournaments after positive COVID-19 tests

The Atlantic Coast Conference has canceled a tournament semifinal between Virginia and Georgia Tech because of a positive COVID-19 test, quarantining and contact tracing within the Cavaliers program.

The league announced the cancellation Friday morning, less than 12 hours before the teams were set to play in the first semifinal. That means the Yellow Jackets will advance to Saturday’s championship game to face the winner of the North Carolina-Florida State matchup.

The cancellation came a day after Duke withdrew from the tournament and ended its season amid its own positive test before it was to face the Seminoles in the quarterfinals.

Sports

Duke’s elimination means pandemic troubles aren’t over yet

Duke’s elimination from the ACC tournament because of a positive coronavirus test serves as a warning of the fragility for the NCAA tournament field.

March 11, 2021

The Cavaliers (18-6) are the tournament’s top seed and were coming off a win against Syracuse on a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Reece Beekman on Thursday. Their prospects for competing in the NCAA tournament, which starts Thursday, were unclear.

Kansas withdraws from Big 12 tournament

Kansas withdrew from the Big 12 tournament on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the men’s basketball program, sending No. 13 Texas into the championship game against No. 2 Baylor or No. 12 Oklahoma State.

The Jayhawks learned earlier this week they would be without center David McCormack and backup forward Tristan Enaruna due to COVID-19 protocols. They managed to beat No. 25 Oklahoma 69-62 in the quarterfinals without them.

Kansas had gone the entire season without an outbreak that caused it to cancel or postpone a game.

It’s unclear whether the positive test came from a player or staff member.

Kansas would need to return seven consecutive days of negative tests that produce at least five eligible players to participate in the first round of the NCAA tournament.