It finally happened today. The Big Ten cancelled its plans for a fall football season, instead opting to punt the situation to spring. The decision comes after a week of speculation and adds unlimited questions to what’s next. Millions are angry and wondering how we got here, ourselves included.

We'll miss you, @B1GFootball.

Until we meet again. ❤️️ pic.twitter.com/DBDnJTktKX

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 11, 2020

Now, I do not want to completely rip on the university presidents and decision-makers for this decision. In no way do I, or anyone else, understand the amount of information available to them or the thousands of parties they are trying to please. With what information is available to the public though… this looks like a black mark on the Big Ten.

WHAT WE KNOW

First, we know it was not an unanimous vote to move football to the spring. The earlier miscommunicated reports stated Iowa and Nebraska voted against the move. While incoming Ohio State president Kristina Johnson was reported to vote against the move as well. While the final vote has not been revealed, it is safe to assume these schools maintained their view on the situation.

Warren wouldn't say if the Big Ten presidents' vote was unanimous and it sounds like it probably wasn't if you read the Ohio State statements that have been released.

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) August 11, 2020

Per source, Iowa AD Gary Barta and President Bruce Harreld were on the phone this afternoon trying to convince other B1G presidents to play this fall. (Don't think the vote was unanimous.)

— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) August 11, 2020

Gene Smith said in a statement that he and Kristina Johnson, Ohio State’s incoming president, were in favor of delaying the start of the season, not postponing.

— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) August 11, 2020

We also know they had MONTHS to prepare for the worst. Look back to the cancellation of March Madness. That was the beginning of the end for sports as we knew them. Although it took time for decision makers to fully understand the impact of the pandemic, other sports leagues have successfully managed to get play back under way.

It seemed the Big Ten was on that path too. They released a ten-game schedule just last week and some schools announced games in empty stadiums, to the enhanced safety protocols. So why are they shifting their decision all of a sudden?

LACK OF LEADERSHIP

Outside of a few schools that seemed to have voted against the decision to postpone everything until spring, there appears to be a complete lack of leadership and understanding at the top. While the decision was based off more than just death rate, it still does not excuse their decision.

Reports on the rare heart condition myocarditis and its prevalence in people who have had COVID-19 have gotten the attention of everyone at every level of college athletics.

According to a high-ranking Big Ten source, the conference is aware of at least 10 players who have myocarditis, an alarmingly high number for an otherwise rare condition, on the eve of preseason camp.

Nicole Auerbach – The Athletic

Am I missing something or is ten players an extremely small portion of the Big Ten’s player pool? With the option to opt-out having already been utilized, why couldn’t those players just decide to do that? At most, why couldn’t the Big Ten create a mandatory opt-out for certain health conditions, if the worry is that great?

It has been made clear over the least couple of days, the players want to play. After vocalizing their stance, support has flooded in from fans, coaches and even the President. I guess those voices will go unheard…. again.

College football stars around the country took to Twitter and expressed their desire to play in the fall. pic.twitter.com/tB893TCZBs

— ESPN (@espn) August 10, 2020

Imagine not watching Joe Burrow lead LSU to a title last year ? @JoeyB pic.twitter.com/2i50XLM4sN

— ESPN (@espn) August 10, 2020

The student-athletes have been working too hard for their season to be cancelled. #WeWantToPlay https://t.co/lI3CCKZ4ID

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2020

Wait a minute…

Aren’t these schools going to have some form of in-person teaching this fall? Unless you’re locking everyone at home before and after class, there’s no way to keep vulnerable populations safe from COVID-19. Luckily, statistics show that the vulnerable populations are the elderly, not those regularly participating in college athletics.

Remember, other sports have succeeded in their returns to play across the world. Outbreaks have happened among teams and players that weren’t careful. Nobody has died. Most haven’t felt sick. None have reported after effects we know were caused by COVID-19.

A CATCH-22

I am livid about this decision, but understand the double-edged sword these Universities are faced with. Had they moved forward with playing and were hit with an outbreak, the backlash would have been infinite. There is also backlash and plenty of negatives in not playing, though too.

Yet if we think logically, aren’t these young and healthy players safer at school playing sports and being tested regularly, than at home, not playing and not being tested? The access to resources for the majority of Americans (many of whom are going back to school and playing sports again) is nonexistent.

According to the Big Ten, fall athletes will still have access to these abundant resources, which begs the question, why they couldn’t play then?

Tons of people with no legal knowledge at all are tossing around this liability excuse with zero comprehension of what they are saying. Or why what they are saying is idiotic.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 11, 2020

Cancelling fall sports will take a toll physically and mentally on our student athletes. How heavily did that weigh into conversations with the Big Ten heads?

I asked and here is how Gabel and Coyle answered #Gophers: pic.twitter.com/8qvu1O9UGr

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 12, 2020

This entire debacle has led to one massive question. Is this the end of the NCAA? Some higher-profile football players will likely to jump ship (some already have) and train for the NFL, instead of playing in the spring. But what happens with everyone else? It seems unlikely that full universities will branch off and play games on their own… but what about players?

GOODBYE NCAA?

There are a lot of kids who still want to play, as we discussed above. There are a lot of rich business men and women out there who are always looking for opportunities to make money. Who is to say there won’t be other options for these youngsters to play football this fall, outside of the NCAA?

Our own Eric Strack (also featured in the video above) brought it up on Minnesota Sports Fan Daily, today. Who wouldn’t be interested in starting the equivalent to the NBA’s G-League, for the NFL? It would go after top-tier talent and coaches hard, offering actual money to play (plus name and likeness freedom like the rest of the country).

It’d be difficult to get something like that up and running for this fall, as there would be a lot of moving parts. Nonetheless, this fiasco has highlighted the chaotic and unforgiving side of collegiate athletics… and poked even bigger holes in the entire institution of the NCAA.

Immediate Future

In the immediate future, I anticipate a severe drop in booster donations, fan loyalty, and understanding. This was ‘the year’ for so many teams. The Gophers were in great shape to have one of their best seasons ever.. (not to mention another title run from my OSU Buckeyes).

This will not sit well with those who pour money into one of the most popular sports in the country. What makes this even worse for Big Ten fans, is that the ACC and SEC are still planning on playing (for now). At least some people understand this situation in its entirety…

Statement from the ACC: pic.twitter.com/9lBY5h8jNy

— The ACC (@theACC) August 11, 2020

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

If you missed the news earlier, Commissioner Kevin Warren and all the Big Wigs of the Big Ten assembled today (virtually of course). The cancellation of college football for the fall was atop the meeting agenda, reportedly. The Big Ten closing its doors to 2020 football would surely be the first domino in a spiral that leads to the NCAA shutting fall sports down, as a whole.

Why are we doing this? “For the health and safety of the kids”, they say… We’re talking about young adults who we deem capable enough to make life decisions all day, everyday, and even vote.

99.4% of these “Power 5” college football playing young adults are still opted-in on playing college football for the upcoming season (according to my own numbers below which are inflated — only 31 players have opted out, not 40)

Source: Big Ten presidents are meeting today. All options are on the table. There’s some presidential momentum for canceling the fall football season. It’s unknown if there’s enough support to make that decision today.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 8, 2020

64 teams
105 players per team
——
6,720 players
40 opt-outs
——
0.6% of CFB players have opted out of 2020 season (due to COVID)

99.4% of CFB players are still opted in.

*numbers assume my iPhone calculator works and I operated it correctly.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 8, 2020

Bad Track Record For COVID Doomsdayers

Constantly, you’ve heard EVERYONE in media and social media talk and tweet about the unlikelihood of sports taking place during the coronavirus outbreak. So far, EVERYONE is 0 for 5 on those doomsday prophecies here in America.

If you count the WNBA and MLS, we’ve started (and continued) 5 major professional sports leagues across the USA. The MLS is finishing a bubble tournament and now rolling out their regular season plans. Their new season will start later this month and NOT be in a bubble.

After tripping out of the gates, the MLB is back on track and has avoided positive tests on any teams outside of the Marlins and Cardinals. Stopping an outbreak, that infected nearly 25 people on two teams, was deemed IMPOSSIBLE without a bubble…. until it wasn’t.

Now… the doomsayers are desperate. We already know the NFL doesn’t give a fuck about the media and will be having a season. By November, there might be a vaccine so the fear-chasers need to strike a rare win quickly. Luckily for them, one major american sports market has a GIANT weakness in its battle against the “COVID kills everyone” crowd.

The Student Athlete

The NCAA has somehow been allowed to run outside of the USA constitution for decades. They decide how much their student athletes get paid (in scholarships and stipends) even if someone else is willing to foot a different bill for something unrelated.

Only in recent years, have college athletes really started to realize the power they wield. They could stop the bullshit (socialist/communist) system the NCAA runs, tomorrow. But now, the COVID whisperers are seizing on an opportunity.

College football fans talking to these college athletes like: pic.twitter.com/U0idT1GV0M

— Blake DuDonis (@BlakeDuDonis) August 8, 2020

Pro athletes are paid well to risk their lives in the middle of a pandemic that has killed 150,000.

But 19 yr old college kids GET NOTHING, but are playing football primarily so that adults (coaches, ADs, sports industry execs) can make their millions.https://t.co/vTGdRshgN6

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 2, 2020

A Look at the Facts

I need a little help figuring out what everyone is actually worried about. The COVID fear pushers should get together and devise a plan… Are we standing up for these college athletes because we are worried about them OR are we standing up for them because we are worried about their older loved ones?

Studies have been done showing the flu as a much greater danger to anyone under the age of 50 years old. I know I know… “we don’t know the long-term effects”.

Media keeps on bringing up one study out of Germany. The study shows lasting effects on the heart for people OVER 50, who got sick from COVID (not asymptomatic). They also point to one MLB player (Eduardo Rodriguez) who has been having heart problems (maybe before or after COVID).

Meanwhile, there are thousands of athletes who have tested positive since the start of coronavirus, but have returned to play their respective sport, since. Are we going to ignore that data?

If you are worried about loved ones… then are you going to lock these college kids in their dorm rooms? Going to a restaurant or grocery store seems like a bigger risk than playing against another college football team in an empty stadium…

Let the Players Decide

With all of that being said, I’m fine with players who decide to opt-out (like Rashod Bateman). Those are individuals making their own choices. Sure, those choices affect other people but that’s the case in all of life’s decisions.

One side of this conversation has gotten so toxic, however, that it is difficult to speak your mind if it doesn’t agree with the masses on social media.

One team, for example, is standing up and speaking against the narrative being peddled about athletes “not feeling safe” in college football. Ohio State football players want to play and are letting the world know it. They claim to feel safe and comfortable with what the University and its athletic department has done. Because of OSU’s stance on their own safety… they need to be muzzled by the woke checkmarks who know their situation better than they do.

Every college athlete deserves respect. That respect includes not having your fellow athletes go out of their way to knock down your organizing movement, which is what these Ohio State players appear to be doing https://t.co/YD3JMaAukD

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) August 7, 2020

One Argument Fits All

Again, we’re all about college athletes standing up for themselves as long as they follow the same single-file line that all of media and social media members follow. With coronavirus, if everyone isn’t dying in your mind, then you’d better keep your mouth shut (especially if you have an audience).

I’m done with that shit. Let’s let these athletes make their own decisions on whether or not they want to play football. Let’s have honest discussions with all facts on the table, instead of silencing voices we disagree with…

College athletes are the individuals living in these environments, after all. Let them choose the future they want to live. I’d imagine that many are much “safer” at school playing football than they are at home, not playing football.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Good news, Minnesota Twins fans! Miguel Sano has been cleared to begin practicing for the upcoming season, according to the team’s Director of Communications and Player Relations, Dustin Morse.

After testing positive for COVID-19 during his arrival to Summer Camp, he had to quarantine until testing negative and going through proper protocols. Not only is it great to have him health, but it ensures we will get to see Sano-doubter home runs sooner, rather than later.

Good news…

Miguel Sano has been cleared to rejoin the @Twins player pool and is set to work out today at Target Field. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Jy4bzGe7sC

— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) July 15, 2020

Miguel Sanó hits an absolute moon shot to walk-off in the bottom of the 9th, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/J2jEri4Cm3

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) August 6, 2019

It has been a crazy few months for Sano. Prior to reporting for Summer Camp, he was accused of kidnapping an individual who was accused of raping Sano’s brother. While Sano was not charged, it still has impacted everything surrounding the all-star player, and his life since baseball was postponed. Throw in the positive COVID-19 test, upon his arrival, and I can’t imagine a more hectic time for this young man.

Optimism for the third-baseman — turned first-baseman — is high, entering 2020. After a career year in 2019, it is well-deserved. He hit a career-high 34 home runs, 79 RBI, while batting .247 with a .575 slugging percentage. Sano isn’t expected to hit at a high percentage, but the raw power is always something Twins fans look forward to. He’s here to drop bombas.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Division 1 NCAA Council (whatever that is) has implemented a plan to bring back our major college fall and winter sports. For teams that begin their regular season on Labor Day, they will start back on campus on July 13, with enhanced training starting on July 20 and finally fall practice slated to start August 7.

Division 1 council has adopted plan where starting July 20, required summer athletics activities may begin and can last up to eight weeks or until the school’s first day of classes or Sept. 15, whichever is earlier.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 17, 2020

So, to recap:

July 13 – College football summer access

July 20 – College Basketball summer access

August 7 – College football practice

– No recruiting weekends for college hoop in August or September have been sanctioned yet.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 17, 2020

Right now teams are doing voluntary work outs. This plan will transition teams to a typical mandated schedule that is meant to prepare them for fall. The NCAA has approved the plan, but the coaches and universities will make decisions on how practices and locker rooms will operate, regarding social distancing and other safety measures.

The goal is to run an effective camp and preseason, allowing the season to start on time and hopefully run even more smoothly. Fans are on edge, wondering how this will all play out, especially since the University of Houston had 6 football players reportedly test positive for the virus just last week.

There are still questions that players, parents and fans have, regarding player safety. How will universities handle players or staff testing positive for the virus? Is there any chance at having fans in the stands? These are all questions that the NCAA will have to answer… unless they leave that up to individual campuses, too.

For those who follow the recruiting side of things, nothing has been decided on that yet. However, Jeff Goodman is also reporting that on the upcoming agenda.

The Council intends to hold a teleconference within the next few weeks to vote on the recruiting calendars. https://t.co/77AAZWE8sv

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 17, 2020

While there are risks involved, the idea of being able to cheer on our Golden Gophers are a glimmer of normalcy in what has become a really weird world.

Sherry Cerny | Minnesota Sports Fan

pic.twitter.com/vnKwFBNegn

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 13, 2020

In more tragic news today relating to death, the Timberwolves just released this statement, about Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother, Jackie, passing away after a battle with COVID-19, the disease caused by Coronavirus.

It was reported a couple of weeks ago, that Karl’s mom had been put on a ventilator as she fought for her life. As reported then, KAT’s dad tested positive but has since recovered.

This virus has taken ten’s of thousands of lives over the last few months (that have been counted) and it’s a terrible and lonely way to go. Keep KAT, his family and Jackie in your thoughts and prayers.

RIP

For those who don't know, Jacqueline Cruz made the world go 'round for the Towns family. She was the light. The energy. The beating heart. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed her spirit. My thoughts are with @KarlTowns and the entire family.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 13, 2020

Sending lots of love to the Towns family. ?

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 13, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

If you need a pick-me-up at any moment in your life, there is a speech out there somewhere from PJ Fleck, that can make you feel better. Just do a Google search and feel the negativity leave your body. He sets the standard of positivity.

But the most difficult thing about being the standard… is that you’re the standard. So, how would PJ set the standard, as mass Americans struggle with the reality of their lives for the first time in this generation? When I clicked play on this video for the first time, I expected to feel better. Instead, I want to save the world.

Fleck reminds us, that this is just another situation of life. The world isn’t going back to what we remember as “normal”. But with every situation, comes opportunity. And this is an opportunity for EVERY SINGLE citizen to affect the outcome.

#Minnesota Head Coach @Coach_Fleck has a message for everyone struggling right now #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/UBWXiEO2Xj

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2020

From a situation, creates opportunity. So for us, it’s about how we’re going to be able to respond to this. How are we going to be able to get back to this “norm”? Everybody wants to keep chasing this “norm”.

‘When’s “normal” coming back?’

I’ve got news for you. Normal’s NOT coming back.

Whatever your view of “normal” is, it’s not coming back. There are going to be ways and things that we implement, that becomes the new norm. But, if you’re afraid of that, who says the new norm can’t be better?

Why can’t our world be better?

Why can’t our nation be better?

Why can’t we continue to grow?

Why can’t we be intentional with our intentions, to make this a better world after we get through this?

Who’s to say it’s got to be worse?

Who’s to say the economy’s got to go back?

We all have a role in this. We can all row the boat together. We can all take our problems, look at them as situations, and create these opportunities that make this world better.

PJ Fleck on The Pat McAfee Show (above)

Are you ready to row your boat right through the wall yet? Are you ready to go out into the world and cure it from coronavirus? I know I am… Who the fuck needs a medical, science, or economics degree when you have PJ Fleck?

Fuck, congress and the media believes they can fix the world without any of those degrees and they don’t even have PJ Fleck to motivate them…

Our fearless leader wasn’t quite finished yet, though. Remember, unlike almost any other moment in history… YOU will affect the outcome of the world. The decisions made by every single American right now, will play into how the next few months unfold.

Here’s the one thing… We all effect this.

Every single one of us have an impact of how we actually change the future of this nation. When has that ever happened? I mean… maybe, The Revolution? The Civil War?

Other than that, when have we had an opportunity where all of us have a chance to actually move forward together and make this nation better? I think we can do that… if we do it together and row the boat.

PJ Fleck on The Pat McAfee Show (above)

That’s powerful.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother has been battling COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus that has been taking over the world in recent weeks.

She is currently in the hospital and the doctors have induced her into a coma, as she battles. His father is under quarantine, but seems to be recovering. Towns told everyone about his family’s battle, in an Instagram post last night/early morning. It’s gut wrenching. Stay the fuck home, people. Do your part.

“I think it’s important that everyone understands the severity of what‘s happening in the world right now, with this coronavirus and I think… where my life is right now, could help…

I was told early last week, my parents weren’t feeling well. My first reaction to her was to go seek medical attention immediately. There’s no reason to wait.

After a couple days of not showing any signs of improvement, I was very adamant on the first day, to go to the hospital and uh, seek further evaluation… specifically me and my sister told her that she needs to get checked for corona. I don’t think anyone really understood what it was… you know, with the deteriorating condition.

She kept getting worse, she kept getting worse…”

Karl-Anthony Towns on Instagram above

KAT is telling you something straight from our worst fucking nightmare, as we watch everything around the world fall apart, in front of us. Yes, we’ve seen what is happening in Europe and China… but, now it is hitting home.

Unfortunately, this isn’t going to be the only story we hear, that is much like this one. I took this brief pause in quoting Karl, to remind everyone again… this is serious. Please do what you can. To most, that is staying home. To others (lawmakers, doctors, nurses, other essential employers/employees), do what you can to help.

Now, KAT is about to get personal and share the story of how his mom’s condition deteriorated at the hospital.

“The hospital was doing everything they can… I was doing everything I could… still am. She just wasn’t getting better.

Her fever was never cutting from 103… maybe go down to 101.9, with the meds, and then immediately spike back up during night. She was very uncomfortable. Uh, her lungs were getting worse. Her cough was getting worse.

She was deteriorating…. she was deteriorating.

We always felt that.. the next medicine would help, the next one would help, this is the one that was gonna get it done, this mixture is gonna get it done… um… sorry… um.”

Karl-Anthony Towns Instagram Post Above

KAT’s dad is also battling COVID-19, but is doing much better than Mrs. Towns. He is under mandatory quarantine at home, as he recovers and prays for his wife to join him again soon.

I can’t imagine feeling that powerless. Your wife is fighting the battle of her life and you can’t be there to help in any way. This is as scary as it gets. Karl goes on to give us more information about his dad and tell us about some of the last conversations he had with his mom, before she was medically-induced into a coma.

They released my dad with quarantine… mandatory quarantine… but my mom was not allowed to leave. Both of them got tests. Both didn’t get the results… you know, for a long time. We all assumed my mom had COVID-19, due to just the symptoms she was exhibiting and… she was deteriorating daily.

The day that she was feeling great, umm.. we talked and she felt she turned a corner… I felt she was turning the corner. I knew there were more days to come but, you know, I felt that we were heading in the right direction.

Then, they said that… you know, she went sideways… and things went sideways quick… and her lungs were extremely getting worse and she was having trouble breathing…

They were just explaining to me, that she had to be put on a ventilator. She was getting worse… and she was confused by everything and I’m trying to talk to her about everything. You know, courage and stay positive and… you know, just talking through everything with her.

I talked to her before she went there and told her I loved her. Everyday, I always told her how much I love her. She was… telling me things that I didn’t want to hear so… I dismissed some things she was saying because it wasn’t something I wanted to hear.

It came to a point where, you know… it’s difficult… very difficult for me and my family, to say the least. She’s the head of our household. She’s the boss.

She’s been in a medically-induced coma… um… since that day. I haven’t talked to her… haven’t been able to, obviously, communicate with her… just getting updates on her condition… it’s rough.

Karl-Anthony Towns Instagram Post Above

Karl goes on to talk about how he is trying to remain positive and that he is keeping his family positive. He says, he only made the video for awareness purposes. He wants everyone to know how serious this virus is and the deteriorating disease it can cause.

Don’t take this shit lightly. Pray for, and keep the Towns family in your thoughts.

The severity of this disease is real. This disease needs to not be taken lightly. Please protect your families, your loved ones, your friends, yourself…

Practice social distancing. Please don’t be in places with a lot of people. It just highers your chances of getting this disease and this disease is not….

…. it’s deadly. It’s deadly. We’re gonna keep fighting. Me and my family are gonna keep fighting this. We’re gonna beat it. We’re gonna win.

Karl-Anthony Towns Instagram Post Above

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Here’s something that’s absolutely terrifying: a comparison of the age distributions of Covid-19 cases in Italy, where they are only testing people who show symptoms, and S. Korea, which has broad testing. A whole lot of 20-29yos out there who feel just fine but are v contagious. pic.twitter.com/BU96h3VKUc

— Mark Byrne (@markwby) March 14, 2020

IF YOU ARE A HEALTHCARE WORKER:

Go to work if you aren’t showing symptoms. Find someone who can watch your child. It’s so, so, so important that you are at work. 

For everyone else, cancel any travel that isn’t totally necessary. Just a little bit of sacrifice over the next few weeks will make all of the difference. We have technology to stay close to each other from a distance, that other generations haven’t had. Let’s take advantage of that. Keep a 6-ft distance in public, if you need to go out, and don’t touch things unnecessarily.

Speaking of “other generations”… it’s time to pay our elderly back for all of the freedoms we enjoy today. They need us now, like we needed them in WWII and after. Physically, stay away from your older family and friends, if possible. Make sure you stay up with them over phone calls and skype or FaceTime. 

WHY SOCIAL DISTANCING:

---

“Social Distancing” is done because our healthcare system is fragile. All of them around the world are. Doing what we can now, to slow the spread of coronavirus, is all done, so we don’t overtax our healthcare system, when coronavirus cases peak over the next month’s time. If the people who will need them, have hospital beds and ventilators available when the time comes, we will be on the same path as S. Korea, instead of Italy. That’s what ALL of this is about. 

Image 1 above, is what countries around the world have seen, who didn’t practice social distancing early-on. China built additional hospitals overnight, because of overcrowding. If we social distance ourselves, we will spread our cases out over time, not overtaxing our system. This is the key to everything and why we need social distancing.

Italy did not take this seriously early on and now their hospitals are a disaster, and their death rate is astonishing. Johns Hopkins has confirmed 21,000+ cases and 1,400 deaths to this point (6.67% mortality rate) in Italy. I don’t care about the age of the patients… that’s scary AF.

S. Korea’s government locked everything down very early and they are already beyond their worst days, with only 75 confirmed casualties, out of 8,000+ cases (0.94% mortality rate). Italy just reported 368 deaths for today, alone.

We do NOT want to be like Italy. As thousands of people return from Europe this weekend, where things have gotten ugly in some places, it’s time to be extra careful.

Please read this article and look at the simulated graphics held within. I haven’t liked anything out of the Washington Post since as long as I’ve been able to read newspapers… but these simulations, on how viruses spread with and without social distancing, are incredible. They are very easy to understand, given such a complex situation. They are absolutely fantastic.

Downtown Nashville is undefeated. pic.twitter.com/BFIOzukFct

— Janna Abraham (@SportsPundette) March 15, 2020

A friend posted this photo from a bar in Minneapolis. You need to do more to stop these crowds! No testing and tracing plus bars like this…People will die due to this negligent behavior #COVIDー19 @MayorFrey @CDCgov @minnesota @PublicHealthUMN pic.twitter.com/PxMko83gxt

— Livelaughlove (@Optomisticfail) March 15, 2020

This is the scene at O’Hare airport. The traveler who took the photo said it’s a 6-hour wait for bags then on to customs for 2-4 more of waiting in shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Police are handing out water and disinfectant wipes. @fly2ohare #ord #coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/UTx9E0nj1s

— Brooke Geiger McDonald (@BrookeGMcDonald) March 15, 2020

Right now at O’Hare airport in Chicago:

Thousands of people are waiting for hours due to “enhanced #CoronaVirus screening” procedures…

This is not good, Trump has literally created a perfect storm to transmit #COVID19. Don’t even know where to start with this one.#Chicago pic.twitter.com/fOUQZfqxX7

— Terrence Daniels (Captain Planet) (@Terrence_STR) March 15, 2020

Just before the Big Ten Tournament tipped off today in Indianapolis, it was cancelled. I will keep this blog updated on any new updates that come out.

The keyword here is “cancelled”. It is not postponed. We will see what happens next with college basketball. Currently, the NCAA Tournament is still scheduled to take place without fans, starting next week.

All other conference tournaments have also been cancelled, except the Big East, which is still playing its first game of the day, for whatever reason….

UPDATE: The Big East cancelled their tournament at halftime of the game they started between Creighton and St. Johns.

The Big Ten Tournament is cancelled.

— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 12, 2020

Big Ten Tourney cancelled

— Mike Grimm (@MikeGrimm3) March 12, 2020

Statement from the Big Ten Conference:

The Big Ten Conference announced today that it will be canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, effective immediately.

The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.

B1G Statement – bigten.org

The Big Ten Tournament has been cancelled.

The conference issued the following statement Thursday morning: pic.twitter.com/EOAxKsmmx1

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 12, 2020

Watch Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren's live press conference surrounding the tournament cancellation: https://t.co/d9PRcLYJ6P

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 12, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for the coronavirus, league sources tell ESPN. Jazz players privately say that Rudy Gobert had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings. Now a Jazz teammate has tested positive.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020

Sources: Donovan Mitchell was the only Jazz player/personnel to test positive for coronavirus out of 58 tests administered on Wednesday night. Remaining tests came back negative.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020

I will continue to update this blog on NBA players who are diagnosed with COVID-19 as updates come in.

News has broke this morning, that Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for the coronavirus and now we are hearing that Rudy Gobert was touching everyone’s stuff in the locker room… but for now, it looks like all other Jazz players have tested negative for Coronavirus.

You can see all of the updates on Rudy Gobert, as the dropped last night, HERE.

Stephen A. Smith is being told that Donovan Mitchell didn’t have any symptoms before he tested positive. I watched that live myself, just now on ESPN First Take.

Fans of the NHL and NCAA stand by, for now. Conference tournaments are still planned to go on, as scheduled today. I’ll let everyone know if/when that changes.

Be smart. Keep updated with the CDC and other reputable agencies on how to move forward.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan