Duke won't allow fans at basketball games because of coronavirus

The Duke Blue Devils have confirmed that fans won't be permitted inside Cameron Indoor Stadium for men's and women's college basketball games because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic. 

"As Duke University continues to be an industry leader per providing a safe environment for intercollegiate athletic competition, the decision to maintain our non-spectator protocol is imperative for the overall health and safety of the Blue Devil fan base, student-athletes, coaches and support staff, notwithstanding the immediate campus population comprised of students, faculty and staff," Duke athletic director Kevin White said in a prepared statement. "We will continue to embrace the challenges of this unique if not unprecedented time with flexibility and compliance, and can't begin to thank our dedicated, passionate fans enough for their unbridled support."

Only personnel deemed essential for completing and broadcasting games will be allowed inside the arena. Parking lots will be closed on game days. Duke previously banned spectators for fall sports seasons.  

While the news isn't surprising, it officially strips away one of the most intimidating road atmospheres in all of college athletics. The Cameron Crazies are widely viewed as arguably the most passionate and impactful student section in the country, and the group's absence will be a loss for Duke and all of college basketball during a season guaranteed to be unlike any other in history. 

Duke hosts the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs to open the campaign on Nov. 25.