Syracuse basketball, after positive UB test, on pause; ND game postponed

The 2020-21 campaign is proving a challenge for Syracuse basketball due to the pandemic.

Syracuse basketball has yet again, unfortunately, had to pause its hoops-related activities amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement from a team spokesman as well as a press release provided by the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Orange (6-1) stormed back from 16 points down last Saturday evening to stun Buffalo in overtime on the Hill by a count of 107-96. Now an announcement from the ‘Cuse says that the squad’s ACC clash at home versus Notre Dame scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22, is postponed “after members of the Buffalo men’s basketball team, Syracuse’s most recent opponent, tested positive for COVID-19.”

The Syracuse basketball statement from the team spokesman, which also got posted to cuse.com, continues, “Additionally, at this time, all basketball-related activities are paused and contact tracing is underway. Syracuse athletics is working closely with Onondaga County Health Departments, New York State public health officials and the ACC Medical Advisory Group, to determine appropriate next steps. The team is adhering to all public health guidelines.”

Orange athletics director John Wildhack said via cuse.com, “We are using an abundance of caution in this situation, as we have throughout the pandemic. The health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff associated with the men’s basketball program is of the utmost importance to us.”

The ACC media release says, in part, that the postponement of the game between the Orange and the Fighting Irish “follows positive tests in a recent Syracuse opponent, subsequent quarantining, and contact tracing required for the Syracuse men’s basketball team. The team is adhering to the outlined protocols within the ACC Medical Advisory Group report, which is available on theACC.com.”

The ‘Cuse had to put its basketball-related activities on pause last month, prior to its 2020-21 season opener against Bryant the day after Thanksgiving, due to head coach Jim Boeheim and a second member of the program testing positive for Covid-19.

Separately, junior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim had to miss three encounters because of contact tracing protocols.

It’s too early to know when Syracuse basketball might be able to resume hoops-related activities, and if the team’s ACC battle against Notre Dame in Central New York will get rescheduled. The ‘Cuse currently has a 27-game, regular-season schedule on its 2020-21 calendar.