IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Virus bounces VCU from NCAA Tournament; Oregon advances

The seventh-seeded Ducks will advance to the second round without playing.
Image: NCAA Basketball: Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament-Davidson vs VCU
VCU Rams guard Nah'Shon Hyland (5) fouled while shooting the ball by Davidson Wildcats forward Hyunjung Lee (1) in the Atlantic 10 conference tournament on March 6 in Richmond, Va.Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

INDIANAPOLIS — Virginia Commonwealth University has been pulled from the NCAA Tournament because of Covid-19 protocols.

The NCAA says the 10th-seeded Rams’ first-round game Saturday against Oregon has been declared a no-contest.

The seventh-seeded Ducks will advance to the second round without playing.

The announcement came a little more than three hours before the teams were set to play in the West Region. The NCAA didn’t offer specific details, citing privacy concerns, and said the decision came after 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,” the statement read.