Craig Melvin has been absent from TODAY since Tuesday, March 11, but viewers shouldn’t worry — he has a doctor’s note.

Flu season is still upon us, and not even the show’s newest anchor is immune from getting bit by the bug. On March 11, NBC’s Chief White House Correspondent Peter Alexander subbed for the star alongside Savannah Guthrie, and the latter updated viewers on Melvin’s whereabouts — but not before floating a funny tongue-in-cheek “conspiracy theory” about his absence.

Melvin is a proud Wofford College alum, and his sickness just so happens to take place right as the school punched its ticket to the 2025 March Madness men’s basketball tournament by winning the Southern Conference.

“I mean, you decide, he did test positive for the flu,” Guthrie explained. “However, it coincides with Wofford winning last night so maybe he stayed up and watched the game.”

(Who says it has to be one or the other, right?)

Later in the episode, Alexander told viewers who may have just tuned in why Melvin was absent.

Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on TODAY on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC

“Craig, our friend, is getting well, he’s struggling with a little bit of a bug,” Alexander said. “It’s about that time, fortunately things are warming up so hopefully that puts to rest flu season for the rest of us.”

As of March 12, Melvin is still out with the flu. Fortunately, the 45-year-old father of two has plenty of time to rest up and get better before his alma mater competes in March Madness — the tournament is scheduled to kick off next week! But something tells us the star will be back in his normal anchoring role before we know it.

How did Craig Melvin’s college celebrate him when he was promoted to TODAY co-anchor?

Craig Melvin on TODAY on Friday, November 15, 2024. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC

Melvin graduated from South Carolina-based Wofford College with a bachelor of arts degree in government in 2001. Although it’s been nearly 24 years since he graduated, eagle-eyed viewers know that he reps the Terriers whenever he can on the show!

His alma mater was well represented at Rockefeller Plaza in honor of Melvin’s first day as co-anchor. A handful of students — including the current student union president — surprised him, proclaiming January 13 as “Craig Melvin Day.”

Melvin took notice and joined the group for an impromptu sing-along performance of Wofford’s school song. Melvin’s college has been super supportive throughout his career, even celebrating his promotion on social media.