UCF coach Johnny Dawkins can still remember the disappointment and confusion his team felt after having their season cut short prematurely last year with the sudden cancellation of the American Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament.
The players received the stunning news in the locker room at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on March 12, moments before the Knights were supposed to take the court for their first-round matchup.
It was the first of a slew of conference tournament cancellations, followed by the elimination of the NCAA Tournament later the same day in response to growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.