"We don’t know what’s next in basketball, or the rest of the world"

Georgia’s basketball team was pulling up chairs to watch film as the rug was pulled out from under their season. 

The Bulldogs, who were getting ready for their second-round game against Florida, tried to process what could be the end of their season.

“We treated it like the tournament was over,” UGA coach Tom Crean said. “We were just pulling up chairs to watch film (when the SEC Tournament was cancelled). The bottom line is that this is such an incredible and tumultuous time.”

“I think the (players) are probably stunned,” he said. “We are trying to treat this like it is - none of us really know. The bottom line is that they have to have time to process it. The thing they will learn is to put their family in front of everything. The most important thing we can have right now is flexibility.”

The news of the SEC cancelling its basketball tournament comes on the heels of a 24-hour period that has seen all major sporting events outside of NASCAR and Golf cancel events or suspend seasons. 

Meanwhile, the NCAA Tournament, which is scheduled to start on Tuesday, is still set to move forward, but without fans. UGA, meanwhile, could play in the future, but Crean said that was unclear. 

“We are eligible for the NIT, but who knows what is going to happen. It is all happening too fast. We can’t bring closure to this. We have to be open minded and trust. That’s all you can do,” he said. “We are not bringing closure to anything right now. We don’t know what’s next in basketball or the rest of the world. This was about respecting the decision. The (SEC) feels bad for our student-athletes. Other than a few days last week, we were playing our best basketball of the season. At the end of the day, the way we played last night, I was really pleased. They have learned so much, and gone through so many experiences. I don’t know how to bring closure to it.”

“These decisions had to be made for the long-term health of our country,” Crean added. 

The coach said the Bulldogs will fly back to Athens Thursday afternoon. UGA has told faculty members that it will begin regular classes on Monday as planned. UGA’s football program is set to move forward with the start of its spring practices on Tuesday. 

It is unclear if UGA’s Pro Day for the NFL will take place as scheduled on Wednesday.