NCAA officials closed the US national college basketball tournament to paying fans on Wednesday in an unprecedented move due to the coronavirus outbreak. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) president Mark Emmert said the move was being made in the best interest of public health, with only relatives and essential personnel at games. "I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance," Emmert said. js/rcw