Report: Wichita State Withdraws from Crossover Classic, Replacement Found

Just days before the first round of the Crossover Classic, another team has withdrawn from the field.

VCU will replace Wichita State in the event and play Utah State in the first round Wednesday, multiple media sources have reported.

Source tells me VCU is replacing Wichita State in South Dakota. D1 Docket was first to break VCU was in the field. https://t.co/lZBUGoulGM

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) November 24, 2020

Updated bracket for the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic:

Northern Iowa/Western Kentucky
Saint Mary's/Memphis
West Virginia/South Dakota State
VCU/Utah State https://t.co/r6WUArZLaU

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 24, 2020

Wichita State is the sixth team to withdraw from the event, joining Creighton, Texas A&M, Dayton, Ohio State and Utah.

VCU was scheduled to play in the Volunteer Classic later this week, but that event was canceled entirely after multiple positive COVID-19 tests inside the Tennessee basketball program. The Rams finished 18-13 last season, 8-10 in the Atlantic 10 conference. Their top returner is sophomore guard Nah’Shon Hyland, who averaged 9.0 points per game last season. VCU joins WVU’s side of the tournament bracket, meaning the Rams and Mountaineers could meet in the second round Thursday.

The Sanford Pentagon announced Monday that no spectators will be permitted inside for the tournament.

WVU’s first-round opponent is scheduled to be South Dakota State. The Mountaineers and Jackrabbits will start at 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.