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.
Another men’s basketball team hits the pause button: Utah Valley is on a COVID halt, a source tells CBS Sports. This means its game at Stanford tomorrow is off.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) November 24, 2020
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.
MBB | @UVUmbb's game at Stanford on Wednesday, Nov. 25 has been canceled as a result of positive COVID-19 test results.
Please stay tuned to https://t.co/Eo6VpmFnz5 and our social media channels for updates.https://t.co/cKc329FgYY
— UVU Athletics (@GoUVU) November 24, 2020
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.
WBB | Saturday's opener at Utah canceled. UVU exploring possible replacement contest. #GoUVU #UVU #WAChoops https://t.co/TxftA8yBvu
— UVU Athletics (@GoUVU) November 24, 2020
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.
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