Syracuse basketball still on for Pitt Saturday despite Hoyas postponement
By Neil Adler
Let’s hope that Syracuse basketball doesn’t have to go on pause again.
Syracuse basketball defeated former Big East Conference rival Georgetown this past Saturday night inside the Carrier Dome. The Hoyas, unfortunately, announced on Wednesday that their game slated for Jan. 13 at home versus DePaul was postponed “due to a COVID-19 related issue within the Georgetown program.”
Since the Hoyas and the Orange went toe to toe only a few days ago, that of course has ‘Cuse fans, myself included, more than a little concerned.
A Syracuse basketball spokesman told me on Wednesday in the early evening that, as of now, the Georgetown announcement has not impacted the Orange team, and the ‘Cuse is still planning to travel to Pittsburgh this Saturday, Jan. 16, for an Atlantic Coast Conference clash that commences at 12 pm.
The spokesman says that if there is a change to the Orange’s contest versus the Panthers, the ‘Cuse program will of course make that known to the public.
Matt Norlander, a senior writer and analyst with CBS Sports, sent out a tweet that the Hoyas are expected to postpone their next three games, including the one with DePaul on Wednesday night. Norlander noted in his tweet, “Georgetown is going on pause due to COVID-19.”
We should point out here that the short press release from the Hoyas didn’t provide specific details about the COVID-19-related issue – that is, whether it involves a positive test from a player, coach or another team staff member, and also if that person or persons may have had contact with individuals associated with Syracuse basketball.
I’m wishing everyone in the Georgetown program well, while at the same time, my fingers are crossed that the Orange doesn’t have to pause its basketball activities yet again.
In November, prior to the 2020-21 season getting underway, the ‘Cuse had to go on pause due to a positive Covid-19 test from head coach Jim Boeheim and another member of the program.
Then last month, after beating Buffalo on the Hill in overtime, Syracuse basketball announced that it would have to pause its hoops activities following Covid-19 issues with the Buffalo program.
Since coming off its second pause, the Orange has lost to Pittsburgh and defeated Georgetown at the Dome, and the ‘Cuse fell on Tuesday evening at North Carolina.