2020 SEC Tournament canceled Thursday amid coronavirus pandemic concerns

The Southeastern Conference was one of many conferences to bring a halt to its annual tournament on Thursday

The SEC announced on Thursday it is canceling the remainder of its men's basketball tournament effective immediately over fears of coronavirus spread, the news coming down shortly before Tennessee and Alabama were set to tip off the second round of play. The league additionally announced it has suspended all regular-season competition for teams in all sports on SEC campuses as well as championship events until March 30.

"We understand that this decision will be disappointing to our student-athletes and coaches who have been preparing all season to compete in this event as well as viewers at home," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "While this was not an easy decision, the health and well-being of our entire SEC community is of paramount importance."

Due to the cancellation, Kentucky, which won the SEC regular season championship, has been awarded the SEC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

2020 SEC Tournament scores

First round -- Wednesday, March 11
Game 1: No. 13 Georgia 81, No. 12 Ole Miss 63
Game 2: No. 11 Arkansas 86 def. No. 14 Vanderbilt 73

Second round -- Thursday, March 12
Game 3: No. 8 Tennessee vs. No. 9 Alabama | Canceled
Game 4: No. 5 Florida vs. No. 13 Georgia | Canceled
Game 5: No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Missouri | Canceled
Game 6: No. 6 South Carolina vs. No. 11 Arkansas | Canceled

Quarterfinals -- Friday, March 13
Game 7: No. 1 Kentucky vs. Game 3 winner | Canceled
Game 8: No. 4 Mississippi State vs. Game 4 winner | Canceled
Game 9: No. 2 Auburn vs. Game 5 winner | Canceled
Game 10: No. 3 LSU 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

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