COVID-19 cancellations
Jamison Overton and Utah Valley will have to wait to open the 2020-21 season after positive COVID-19 test results led to a cancellation of the season opener at Stanford. Courtesy Wade Event Photography.

COVID-19 is Striking at the Wrong Time as Cancellations Prevail

The year 2020 is going to go down in history as perhaps the craziest year ever. This is especially true with regard to sports. As the 2020-21 college basketball season approaches, cancellations due to COVID-19 are starting to become the norm. On Tuesday morning, Matt Norlander of CBS Sports put out the follow tweet.

The cancellation is the possible timing for the Wolverines. Utah Valley was inked to play at Stanford to open its 2020-21 season. Mark Madsen was returning to his Alma Mater and the Wolverines were going to play on the Pac-12 Network. Madsen was voted into the Stanford Hall of Fame this past offseason. Madsen’s former coach Mike Montgomery was going to be the color analyst on the broadcast, as well. 

The news of the cancellation is perhaps not the most significant news. With Utah Valley on a COVID-19 halt, the Wolverines game at BYU on Saturday, Nov. 28 may be in jeopardy, as well. 

Utah Valley Women Won’t Play Utah

To go along with the Utah Valley men, the Utah Valley women had its game at Utah on Saturday cancelled. The women’s team is exploring options to fill the Saturday opening. And, according to a source, if testing later this week works out, they expect the women will have a home game. 

Cancellations are going to happen this season. COVID-19 is wreaking its usual havoc and the safety of student-athletes and staff are more important than playing ball. That doesn’t mean it’s not disappointing or frustrating. Teams want to play and have been preparing for this Nov. 25 tip date. It’s just unfortunate timing for all. 

The Utah Valley women are among the favorites to win the WAC under second-year head coach Dan Nielson. In his first season, Nielson led the Wolverines to their highest finish in the WAC standings despite starting the season 1-9. 

About the author

Kyle McDonald

Love everything about WAC Hoops so decided I wanted to write more about it and cover this amazing conference that just keeps getting better. Follow us on Twitter @wachoopsdigest for information, game analysis and much more.

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