Duke basketball has withdrawn from the ACC tournament after a positive coronavirus case within its program, the school announced Thursday, ending the Blue Devils’ season.
“This will end our 2020-21 season,” Duke athletic director Kevin White said in a statement. “We wish every team still playing college basketball good health and the very best during the next few weeks.”
The Blue Devils were scheduled to face Florida State on Thursday. The Seminoles automatically advance to the next round.
At 13-11, Duke likely needed an extended run in the conference tournament to make a case for an NCAA tournament bid. This will be the first time coach Mike Krzyzewski’s squad hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 1995.
“I feel deeply for our players, who have done a terrific job all season in taking care of each other and the team,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of their collective attitudes and effort, which could not have been stronger. We are disappointed we cannot keep fighting together as a group after two outstanding days in Greensboro.”
According to The Athletic, the ACC is confident Duke’s positive case won’t impact the rest of the teams in the field. Teams were wearing Kinexon bracelets for contact tracing. Stadium’s Jeff Goodman reported a walk-on player tested positive.
The Blue Devils entered the conference tournament as a No. 10 seed and beat Boston College and Louisville in consecutive days.
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