But did it need to happen to the local team?

VCU becomes the first team to get eliminated from NCAA tournament due to COVID protocols.

The statement from the NCAA:

“The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has declared the VCU-Oregon game scheduled for Saturday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum a no-contest because of COVID-19 protocols,” the NCAA’s statement read. “This decision was made in consultation with the Marion County Public Health Department.

“As a result, Oregon will advance to the next round of the tournament. 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. Because of privacy issues we cannot provide further details.”

Really sad to hear that the VCU Rams season ended this way. I keep looking to see if I can find out anything else – but I guess the only thing that matters is the season is over for the Rams.