GREENSBORO, N.C. (WAVY) — The No. 1 seed University of Virginia men’s basketball team is out of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament due to a positive coronavirus test in the program.
UVA (18-6), the No. 1 seed, was getting ready to play No. 4 seed Georgia Tech on Friday night in the semifinals.
In a statement, the ACC said UVA was out “because of a positive test, subsequent quarantining, and contact tracing.” UVA says the team is adhering to outlined protocols in the ACC Medical Advisory Group report.
It’s unclear if the news will affect Virginia’s ability to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. In a release on Friday afternoon, UVA said their status was “to be determined.”
We went from an exhilarating game-winning shot to beat Syracuse to a gut punch regarding the positive COVID-19 test within our program. I’m hurting for our players, especially our seniors,” said head coach Tony Bennett. “We are exhausting all options to participate in the NCAA Tournament.”
“This is incredibly disappointing for our players. They have done what has been asked of them in very challenging circumstances. said UVA athletic director Carla Williams. “It is unfortunate the ACC Tournament has concluded for us, but we have turned our attention to the NCAA Tournament. We are in communication with the appropriate officials regarding our participation.”
UVA topped No. 8 seed Syracuse on a buzzer-beater 3-pointer on Thursday.
Georgia Tech will now head to the title game, where it will face the winner of North Carolina/Florida State.
It comes a day after Duke announced it had coronavirus issues that ended up bumping the team from the ACC field and ending their season. It’s the first time the Blue Devils have missed the NCAA Tournament since 1995.
