WESTWOOD, Calif. – Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament will be without fans, fans of the University of California Los Angeles basketball team, like Ka’Ron Marshall, who was playing a game of pickup basketball inside the John Wooden Center.

“I feel like basketball is one of our things, way of like, just building friendships, and brotherhood,” Marshall said.

That brotherhood extends beyond this court and to his fandom of the Bruins. His love for the team is still alive, even though the arenas hosting the tournaments will be dead silent from the iconic sounds of the cheering fans.

MORE ON THE CORONAVIRUS:

“We’ve got March Madness going and it’s pretty exciting but to hear there’s not going to be fans, can’t even attend it kind of sucks you know, but either way we feel like it’s going to be intense watching it from our couches,” said Marshall.

 

 

 

But Marshall, along with friends Lenny Washington, see why the NCAA came to this decision.

“Just given the health reports that are coming out it’s the best decision. I’d rather have them play the games than have them cancel the tournament overall because some of these guys have been working for four, five, even six years to get to the tournament and for them to do all this work and not be able to play it would be really sad to see,” said Washington.

Despite the precautions, there is no denying that the energy of fans during the tournament is electrifying.

“It’s what makes March Madness, March Madness,” said Marshall.

Even though Marshall and his friends can’t watch from the stands, they will be cheering their team on from the comfort of their home.

“It’ll be fun, I feel like we’re really electric when we’re on our couches anyway,” said Marshall.

Making a memorable year for better or for worse for players and fans alike. 

For the latest updates go to: coronavirus.gov