Syracuse Basketball: Games don’t matter; health of Jim Boeheim, team do

Syracuse basketball has paused its activities following a positive Covid-19 test from Jim Boeheim, and another member of the program.

Syracuse basketball is one of the latest Division I teams to pause its hoops-related activities after the Orange announced on Sunday night that head coach Jim Boeheim and a second member of the program have tested positive for Covid-19.

Certainly, some ‘Cuse fans out there will want to know how this unfortunate news could affect the planned start of the 2020-21 campaign for Syracuse basketball, as the Orange is scheduled to host Bryant at the Carrier Dome in the afternoon on Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving.

For me, at this moment, I could care less about basketball games. All that matters to me is that Boeheim, the other member of the program who tested positive, and the entire squad – players, assistant coaches, staff personnel, athletic-department officials, etc. – stay healthy and safe.

"Here is Boeheim’s statement that got posted to cuse.com. “As part of our routine COVID-19 health and safety protocols, I, along with my team and staff, are tested for COVID-19 multiple times each week. Following our most recent testing, I was informed that I had tested positive for COVID-19. I immediately began my isolation period at home. I am not experiencing any symptoms at this time, and will continue to monitor my health closely as advised by the medical staff.  Thank you for the well wishes. I look forward to getting back on the court with my team.”"

It’s encouraging to hear that Boeheim, who turns 76 years old this Tuesday, doesn’t have any symptoms, at least for now. He is set to embark on his 45th term at the helm of Syracuse basketball in 2020-21, and he’s never had a losing record in any stanza throughout his Orange head-coaching career.

Jim Boeheim has tested positive for Covid-19, and Syracuse basketball has paused its activities.

In addition to Boeheim’s comments within the cuse.com media release, Orange athletics director John Wildhack had this to say in a statement.

"“Our top priority is the health and well-being of our student-athletes, Coach Boeheim and all members of the basketball program. Per our COVID safety protocols, following Coach’s positive test we conducted an additional round of testing for all members of the basketball program. From that testing we learned that one other member of the program has tested positive. As such, we made the decision to pause all basketball-related activities. We are following all CDC guidelines and ACC protocols, and working closely with the Onondaga County Department of Health, to mitigate further transmission of the virus. All members of the basketball program will be tested again, multiple times, over the next week.”"

Like I said earlier, the most important thing is that everyone associated with the Syracuse basketball team is healthy and safe. It’s obviously too early to know whether Boeheim will coach the squad’s season opener versus Bryant, and whether that game is actually going to transpire on that planned date.

This past Thursday, I participated in a Zoom call between Boeheim and reporters, in which Boeheim said that he’s hopeful the 2020-21 campaign will occur.

Boeheim also outlined to us the many steps that he and his team are taking to minimize contact during practices, noting that they’re collecting detailed information regarding contact tracing so that the entire program may not have to possibly quarantine if one positive test comes across.

Stay healthy and safe, Coach Boeheim.