2020 Big Ten Tournament canceled Thursday amid coronavirus pandemic concerns

The Big Ten was one of many conferences to bring a halt to its annual tournament on Thursday

The Big Ten Tournament was over before it ever really began. After a two-game teaser on Wednesday, the league, following suit with every other major college basketball conference, canceled its postseason play over fears of coronavirus spread.

"The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic," said the conference. "The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus."

The cancellation came just minutes before Michigan and Rutgers were set to face off in Thursday's second-round opener. There were four games in total on the league's tournament schedule for the remainder of the day.

2020 Big Ten Tournament scores

First round -- Wednesday, March 11
Game 1: No. 12 Minnesota 74, No. 13 Northwestern 57
Game 2: No. 11 Indiana 89, No. 14 Nebraska 64

Second round -- Thursday, March 12
Game 3: No. 8 Rutgers vs. No. 9 Michigan | Canceled
Game 4: No. 5 Iowa vs. No. 12 Minnesota | Canceled
Game 5: No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Purdue | Canceled
Game 6: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Indiana | Canceled

Quarterfinals -- Friday, March 13
Game 7: No. 1 Wisconsin vs. Game 3 winner | Canceled
Game 8: No. 4 Illinois vs. Game 4 winner | Canceled
Game 9: No. 2 Michigan State vs. Game 5 winner | Canceled
Game 10: No. 3 Maryland vs. Game 6 winner | Canceled

Semifinals -- Saturday, March 14
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner | Canceled
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | Canceled

Big Ten Tournament Championship Game -- Sunday, March 15
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | Canceled

[Mar 12, 2020 at 10:07 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

@tluce_ @EBoudreaux12 @Haadi_A1 - I’m heartbroken that we won’t get one more chance to compete together, but I’ve enjoyed being here for your last ride. Thank you for being great representatives of @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/lk4WFhMLnJ

— Micah Shrewsberry (@Shrews1244) March 13, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 10:07 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

Weird end to the year. Lots of ups and downs, but a ton of growth. I promise that we will get better and can’t wait to get back after it! Proud to represent this university every night that we play! 🚂 pic.twitter.com/hCBEREbVfu

— Sasha Stefanovic (@Sash_Stefanovic) March 13, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 9:28 pm ET · @GopherMBB via Twitter]

“We are in uncharted territory...but this is much bigger than sports.”

Athletic Director Mark Coyle sat down with @mikegrimm3 in Indianapolis to explain more about COVID-19 cancelations and to thank you for your continued support, #Gophers. #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/BgXxmdEa1H

— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) March 13, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:53 pm ET · @IndianaMBB via Twitter]

pic.twitter.com/WzKfs1Fwgn

— Arch Miller (@Archie_Miller) March 13, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:50 pm ET · @IndianaMBB via Twitter]

To my guys @DDavis2016 @ChefBoyArGreen .... thank you🖤🖤

— Armaan Franklin 2️⃣ (@unkle44artty) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:50 pm ET · @IndianaMBB via Twitter]

A lot of love for my boys @ChefBoyArGreen & @DDavis2016 . Things didn’t go quite as planned, but accomplished a lot. Brothers for life.

— Joey Brunk (@JoeyBrunk) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:49 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

Feels like a very appropriate time to go ahead and RT this 😢😢😢

Love you guys family FOREVER ❤️🖤@akwasi_yeboah15 @shaq_carter18 @JoeyUPs3 https://t.co/GmU19c3g8I

— Ben Asher (@Ben__Asher) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:48 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

Cant thank you enough. I appreciate everything you’ve done these last four years. My leader of the Dream Team (scout team) was instrumental in always getting us prepared. You are the most unselfish person I’ve ever been around. My heart hurts for you. Love you boy. https://t.co/36RRnEdeUe

— Brandin Knight (@bknight20) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:48 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

@akwasi_yeboah15 and @shaq_carter18 will be missed dearly. I’m thankful for all of their contributions to this team. They were selfless at moments when they couldve been selfish. I feel blessed to have coached them. I really wish they could’ve experienced the Big dance! 👎🏾😡

— Brandin Knight (@bknight20) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:41 pm ET · @umichbball via Twitter]

💛💙 pic.twitter.com/tkox5GCbkH

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 13, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 8:32 pm ET · @IowaHoops via Twitter]

Appreciate the kind words, @DickieV! #Hawkeyes https://t.co/XERpMScyH7

— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 13, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 7:48 pm ET · @PennStateMBB via Twitter]

One of our Pillars of Excellence: Gratitude🙏🏽

THANK YOU FANS for a season we will never forget🦁#ClimbWithUs | CLIMB ON pic.twitter.com/w3CtVpIkKN

— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 7:18 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

💛🖤

It ended way too suddenly, but hopefully we provided you all some unbelievable memories. pic.twitter.com/Q2TX5ay6UX

— Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 7:05 pm ET · @PennStateMBB via Twitter]

Update: Big Ten cancels competition for remainder of 2019-20 academic year.https://t.co/mQ5SJLxOxk pic.twitter.com/BdkR5oi5EV

— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 6:44 pm ET · @GopherMBB via Twitter]

I just talked with @GopherMBB coach @CoachPitinoMN about the happenings of the week....hear it here: https://t.co/19Lb2xis6A

— Mike Grimm (@MikeGrimm3) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 6:25 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

💔💔

— Montez Mathis (@MontezMathis) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 6:24 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

Love y’all RU nation !!! ❤️

— Jacob Young (@Jybackk) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 6:24 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

♥️⚔️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/w3m2npZWnC

— Myles Johnson (@MylestheMonster) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 6:24 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

Thank you❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/2n4XkKpM4u

— Ron Harper Jr. (@__RHJR) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 6:23 pm ET · @RutgersMBB via Twitter]

1991/2020 ❤️🤞 pic.twitter.com/obFwCU3Ais

— Geo Baker (@Geo_Baker_1) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 5:36 pm ET · @IndianaMBB via Twitter]

All Indiana-affiliated athletic competitions are canceled. https://t.co/dyesJeJo66

— Indiana Hoosiers (@IUHoosiers) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 5:33 pm ET · @IowaHoops via Twitter]

Not how we envisioned the season to end, but beyond proud of what we accomplished in 2019-20.

Thank you so much for the memories and hard work of our seniors: @Bakari_Evelyn11, @rtillery20, and @B1Gcat15! pic.twitter.com/Z7pH2XFK9p

— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 5:30 pm ET · @GopherMBB via Twitter]

A statement from Athletic Director Mark Coyle.https://t.co/Lz7K8cyjsC

— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 5:23 pm ET · @IowaHoops via Twitter]

NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: https://t.co/p4vCzvzmvo pic.twitter.com/yqAHak4HO5

— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 4:56 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

💛😞

— Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 4:44 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

Thank you @tluce_, @EBoudreaux12 & @Haadi_A1 for all you’ve done in your Purdue careers.

You are a big part of our family and you will always be a Boilermaker. No one can take this family & memories away from you. pic.twitter.com/R5q8eDDQnX

— Purdue’s Matt Painter (@CoachPainter) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 4:44 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

1) We are disappointed we aren’t able to continue our season, but this is much bigger than basketball. This is a worldwide issue and we understand that difficult decisions needed to be made.

— Purdue’s Matt Painter (@CoachPainter) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 4:39 pm ET · @OhioStateHoops via Twitter]

Had high expectations for this group on the back end of this season😕... regardless of the circumstances it’s been a great year with my brothers & buckeyenation🤞 #Team121 ❤️ everyone stay blessed & healthy.

— Justin Ahrens (@ahrensjustin12) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 4:32 pm ET · @umichbball via Twitter]

Michigan Athletics COVID-19 Updates: Big Ten Conference Cancels Remainder of 2019-20 Competition https://t.co/sOLnyKvVqO#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/7OABK1U9qR

— Michigan Athletics (@UMichAthletics) March 12, 2020

[Mar 12, 2020 at 4:26 pm ET · @BoilerBall via Twitter]

A statement from the Big Ten Conference. pic.twitter.com/GQD651xsQK

— Purdue Athletics (@PurdueSports) March 12, 2020