North Carolina top A&T dropped out of the MEAC men’s basketball tournament on Thursday after a positive COVID-19 test within the program.
The Aggies won the Southern Division regular season title after making 7-1 in conference games.
“Obviously, we are tremendously disappointed in North Carolina A&T student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” said MEAC commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “They worked hard to get where they are and to end [the season] thus it is extremely unfortunate. But this is the world we live in today, and I hope that we will have no other good points in the future for the basketball tournament. “
A&T was scheduled to play on Friday against Norfolk State, an 87-58 victory over North Carolina Central in a quarterfinal match on Thursday. Norfolk State will now advance to the title game on Saturday.
Coppin State is the 1-seed on the other side of the key after winning the Northern Division.
A&T is the second team to withdraw from a conference tournament on Thursday; Duke withdrew from the ACC tournament on Thursday morning after a positive COVID-19 test.