KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Texas and Texas Tech were warming up on the Sprint Center court at 10:39 a.m. Thursday, getting ready to play the first Big 12 men's basketball tournament game with almost no fans.
At 10:47 a.m. the Longhorns and Red Raiders left the floor and managers packed up their chairs and equipment.
At 10:53 a.m. the Big 12 called an 11 a.m. press conference to cancel the tournament.
“We have obviously canceled the tournament,” Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby finally announced.
The decision felt inevitable. The NBA suspended its season the night before.