Courtesy: Miles College
The Miles College men’s basketball program has made the difficult decision to halt its season due to uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus.
With the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) postponing the beginning of conference athletic activities until March, Miles was given the option to play a schedule populated with non-conference opponents in an effort to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and giving careful consideration to the best interests of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and their families, the program elected to forego a chance to make the NCAA tournament for a third consecutive season.
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“As eager as we are to defend our SIAC title and potentially compete for a national championship, my top priority is the well-being of my student athletes, coaches and staff,” said Miles head men’s basketball coach Fred Watson. “With the virus spiking and the uncertainty surrounding our scheduling, I believe this was the best decision for the mental and physical health of our players, staff, and our campus community.”
Watson added that he will continue to assess the situation and make a decision whether to participate when the SIAC restarts its conference-only schedule in March. In the interim, the student-athletes will remain diligent in the classroom and continue with normal athletic preparations while observing the health and safety protocols Miles College has in place.
Miles College has won the last two SIAC basketball tournaments. It finished 24-4 in 2020 before its season ended when the NCAA Tournament was canceled.