ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Arizona-NAU basketball game canceled due to COVID-19

Nov 23, 2020, 10:46 AM | Updated: 1:35 pm

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)...

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

The Arizona Wildcats and Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have canceled Wednesday men’s basketball season opener due to a positive coronavirus test within NAU’s program, UA said in a statement.

“After consultation with the Pac-12 Conference, University of Arizona leadership, Northern Arizona University, and the Big Sky Conference, the Arizona men’s basketball game on Wednesday, Nov. 25 has been canceled due to a positive COVID-19 case within the NAU men’s basketball program as well as ensuing contact tracing and mitigation protocols,” Arizona’s statement read. “Both programs will work together to determine if a date to reschedule the game this season is possible.

“The news of this cancellation is very disappointing to student-athletes, coaches and fans. However, health and safety must remain our top priorities as we move forward this season.”

Arizona’s next scheduled game is against Grambling State on Friday at 3 p.m.

The news comes amid a rash of coronavirus cases postponing and cancelling games as college basketball opens this week.

Rival Arizona State, which was part of a four-team 2K Empire Classic field, has already lost its planned season opener against the No. 2 Baylor Bears. Arizona State withdrew from the opener with worries after Baylor head coach Scott Drew tested positive for coronavirus and announced he would not coach in the Uncasville, Conn., tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena.

No. 3 Villanova and Boston College, the other two teams scheduled to play in the Empire Classic, are reportedly working with ASU attempting to salvage the tournament.

Other games in college basketball that have been impacted by coronavirus include Duke, which postponed a Wednesday game against Gardner-Webb.

Ole Miss canceled four games and suspended team activities until Dec. 7 because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing.

The school in Oxford, Miss., announced Monday that the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic set for this week is canceled, along with the Dec. 5 game against Memphis.

The Rebels were scheduled to host Central Arkansas on Wednesday, Jackson State on Thursday and Arkansas State on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Basketball

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

19 hours ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

20 hours ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

1 day ago

(L-R) Caleb Love #2, Keshad Johnson #16, Oumar Ballo #11, and Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildc...

Vincent DeAngelis

Re-ranking Arizona basketball among Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Multiple publications rank the Arizona Wildcats around the middle of the pack among the Sweet 16 team still in the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

Darian DeVries...

Associated Press

West Virginia basketball hires Darian DeVries to be new coach after 6 years at Drake

West Virginia tapped Drake coach Darian DeVries on Sunday to move the Mountaineers past one of the ugliest years in school history.

4 days ago

Tommy Lloyd...

Arizona Sports

How to watch: Arizona vs. Clemson in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

What time and how to watch the No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats take on No. 6 Clemson Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

4 days ago

Arizona-NAU basketball game canceled due to COVID-19