8 positive COVID tests ahead of US NCAA tournament–report

FILE — Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins attempts to shoot the ball over Joshua Langford #1 during overtime in the First Four game prior to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Mackey Arena on March 18, 2021 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP 

Eight people have tested positive for COVID-19 this week heading into the start of the NCAA Tournament, ESPN reported Thursday.

That’s out of more than 9,100 COVID-19 tests administered to people classified as Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3.

The tournament begins Thursday night with four games: No. 16 matchups between Texas Southern and Mount Mary’s and Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State, and No. 11 seeds Drake vs. Wichita State and UCLA vs Michigan State.

The games will be played at Assembly Hall on the Indiana campus and at Mackey Arena at Purdue. All 67 games in the tournament are being played in and around Indianapolis.

The NCAA did not disclose whether the positive tests came from players, coaches, officials or other team personnel.

Addressing reporters Wednesday, NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said 67 of the men’s teams had arrived in Indiana.

The exception is defending champion Virginia, who won the tournament in 2019. The 2020 tourney was not played due to the pandemic.

The Cavaliers, seeded fourth in the West Region, pulled out of last week’s ACC tournament semifinals following a positive COVID-19 test. Most of the Virginia team remains in quarantine in Charlottesville, Va.

Gavitt said the Cavaliers will head to Indianapolis early Friday afternoon and will be tested immediately upon their arrival. Virginia will be tested three times before facing No. 13 seed Ohio on Saturday. Gavitt said the Cavs will get an opportunity to practice before the game.

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