Robert Morris Coach Challenges Ohio Governor to Keep His Wife From Attending NCAA Tournament Game
The Robert Morris Colonials beat the St. Francis Red Flash, 77-67, to punch their ticket to the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament. It's their first March Madness bid since 2015, when they won a play-in game for the right to lose by 29 to Duke. If they play in the First Four this year, it will be in an empty arena. Well, except for coach Andy Toole's wife and kids. Good luck keeping them out?
Andy Toole knows Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wants First Four NCAA games played sans fans in Dayton. “I would wish the governor luck in keeping my wife out of that game. He's going to call my 7-year-old and my 5-year-old and tell them they can't come to the NCAA Tournament. Good luck."
— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) March 11, 2020
On Tuesday afternoon, Ohio governor Mike DeWine asked that sports events be played without "spectators other than the athletes parents, and others essential to the game" out of concern for spread of the Coronavirus.
ATHLETICS: For indoor events, we are asking for no events with spectators other than the athletes, parents, and others essential to the game.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2020
Right now, outdoor events can continue. #COVID19
I'm sure Toole's immediate family would make the cut, but this reaction sounds a lot like LeBron James' initial reaction to the thought of playing without fans. After some time to reflect, he may change his tune. Besides, Robert Morris might avoid the First Four and Toole can challenge an entirely different governor to tell his wife and kids that they can't watch Robert Morris basketball in a mostly-empty arena.