It is still my hope that if the current situation improves, the NCAA will make every effort to revive the championship this year. I am appreciative that the NCAA is now considering the impact on student-athletes not having a postseason in women’s basketball. It would be helpful to all of us to know what information the decision-makers had that resulted in the outright cancellation of the championship, rather than an attempt to delay until the situation improves. Yesterday, I was shocked to learn of the NCAA’s decision to cancel, rather than postpone the championship. The following day, Baylor Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey addressed the unprecedented moves across the country to cancel sporting events, stating:
On the day the tournament was set to start, conference officials posted a statement declaring a suspension of all conference championships and cancellation of the NCAA Tournament. The Big 12 Tournament has been cancelled due to public safety concerns related to COVID-19. With her Baylor Lady Bears out for an NCAA Tournament title defense, head coach Kim Mulkey is questioning the NCAA’s decision to cancel rather than postpone the event.
| Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Baylor women’s basketball team celebrating its win versus Texas during the Big 12 Women’s Championship on March 5, 2018.