Big East COVID Updates

[brewcity77]

DePaul is shutting down for 2 weeks due to COVID test results. Their first three games on November 25, 28, and December 1 will be cancelled.

Seton Hall is also shut down currently. That started on November 11th and their originally planned season opener against Winthrop on November 25th has been cancelled.

Connecticut is back to full activities today after having shut down on November 5th.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

DePaul is shutting down for 2 weeks due to COVID test results. Their first three games on November 25, 28, and December 1 will be cancelled.

On the bright side, that'll be their best start for the last two decades!

[muwarrior69]

This will be a nightmare for Selection Sunday, if there is a selection Sunday.

[Galway Eagle]

On the bright side, that'll be their best start for the last two decades!

This would've been so much funnier prior to their 13-1 start a bit ago.

But props for the joke

[brewcity77]

And now Creighton released a statement they are shutting down and will not be playing in the Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls (Battle for Atlantis replacement). Not sure how many games they will be missing or when they will resume play.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

[Skatastrophy]

As a DePaw season ticket holder (in a normal season) I got your inside scoop. Via marketing email blast.

Statement from Head Coach Dave Leitao
"We have been able to sustain a level of productivity while facing the COVID-19 pandemic during the preseason, but unfortunately as positive cases have been increasing all around us, we now have to deal with it directly in our program. The attentiveness and understanding of the situation by our players and staff have been a priority since we all returned to campus this summer. We'll get through this together. We'll return to the practice floor and competition after we complete all mandated protocols and procedures."

Statement from Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy
"We are disappointed the men's basketball program will be unable to start the season as planned after all the hard work our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have put into preparing for these games. Flexibility and patience will continue to be paramount this season as we navigate these unique times. I appreciate the hard work and support of our medical staff and athletic trainers as they work closely with each of our programs to ensure a safe and healthy environment to study, train, practice and compete."

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Enjoy every we get.

Me thinks getting in 15 would be a win.

[PGsHeroes32]

Clearly with college athletics the mindset is different than the pros.

If this whole 1 person tests positive shut down for 2 weeks things carries on. THere is a 0% chance we can complete this season.

It is legit not possible.

[Hards Alumni]

This will be a nightmare for Selection Sunday, if there is a selection Sunday.

I firmly believe that if there is going to be a tournament, they should release definitive criteria for it soon and stick to it.

[brewcity77]

Clearly with college athletics the mindset is different than the pros.

If this whole 1 person tests positive shut down for 2 weeks things carries on. THere is a 0% chance we can complete this season.

It is legit not possible.

Sure it is. Every Big East team enters a bubble on January 2. Quarantine for 2 weeks. January 16-February 11, teams play approximately every 2 days to insure at least 13 games each.

It will be messy, but there are ways to do it.

[swoopem]

Or you just give college basketball first dibs on the vaccine

[PGsHeroes32]

Sure it is. Every Big East team enters a bubble on January 2. Quarantine for 2 weeks. January 16-February 11, teams play approximately every 2 days to insure at least 13 games each.

It will be messy, but there are ways to do it.

Yeah a bubble would definitely work. But until its announced that it something they are going to legitamately aim for, this current plan is doomed to fail.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I firmly believe that if there is going to be a tournament, they should release definitive criteria for it soon and stick to it.

I actually think the opposite is true.  Criteria written today may look pretty ridiculous four months from now.

It's going to be messy and imperfect.  We are just going to have to live with that.

[Hards Alumni]

I actually think the opposite is true.  Criteria written today may look pretty ridiculous four months from now.

It's going to be messy and imperfect.  We are just going to have to live with that.

I guess that is fair, but then they should make a statement saying just that.  So that people don't cry (ha!) when the field is announced.

[Uncle Rico]

I hope they still get the requisite classroom attention

[Galway Eagle]

Big East going for that herd mentality now so nothings shut down later

[GooooMarquette]

I hope they still get the requisite classroom attention

Getting basketball games played right now is a logistical nightmare. It may be possible (in a strictly enforced bubble), but it will require hard work, focus, frequent games, and some good luck.

Getting a proper education right now is a logistical nightmare. Colleges are opening, closing, switching back and forth between in-person and virtual, and uncertain what next semester will look like. A good education may be possible, but it will require hard work, focus, and flexibility to change learning method at a moment's notice.

The expectation that they will be able to do both at the same time - essentially hitting two differently moving targets simultaneously - seems pretty unrealistic.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Marquette starts its second semester January 25.  If they are in a bubble til mid February, I don't think it would be much of a problem.  Furthermore, what else are these players going to do when not playing / practicing? 

[bilsu]

Or you just give college basketball first dibs on the vaccine

By time the vaccine is approved and you go through two doses the basketball season will be over with.
You have to wait 30 days after the first dose to get the second dose. You are not considered safe until 14 days after second dose.

[swoopem]

Pfizer said they’d have 50 million doses ready in December alone. Seems like they’ll get approval too. December 1st give everyone in college basketball the shot and then again on January 1st. Conference season and post season saved. Final Four here we come

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Pfizer said they’d have 50 million doses ready in December alone. Seems like they’ll get approval too. December 1st give everyone in college basketball the shot and then again on January 1st. Conference season and post season saved. Final Four here we come

Exactly.  Screw the frontline workers and those with pre-existing health issues.  WE NEED TO BE ENTERTAINED!!!

[Galway Eagle]

Pfizer said they’d have 50 million doses ready in December alone. Seems like they’ll get approval too. December 1st give everyone in college basketball the shot and then again on January 1st. Conference season and post season saved. Final Four here we come

It's more likely that we have a final four of us and three small schools that were the only teams able to actually participate in the tournament than a vaccine being prioritized for student athletes, in the second most profitable sport, in the 6th most important conference.   

[Hards Alumni]

Exactly.  Screw the frontline workers and those with pre-existing health issues.  WE NEED TO BE ENTERTAINED!!!

I honestly thought he was just joking until the second post.  MEGA-YIKES.

[swoopem]

I honestly thought he was just joking until the second post.  MEGA-YIKES.

I am joking

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

When is the rest of the BE schedule going to be announced? 

[brewcity77]

When is the rest of the BE schedule going to be announced?

That's been a frustration. I like to release previews in the order we play teams, but the lack of a full schedule means it's just kind of random now.

[Hards Alumni]

I am joking

Okay good.... lol

[SaveOD238]

We don't deserve sports.

[ChuckyChip]

Pfizer said they’d have 50 million doses ready in December alone. Seems like they’ll get approval too. December 1st give everyone in college basketball the shot and then again on January 1st. Conference season and post season saved. Final Four here we come

Remember that most of these vaccines require two doses, so 50 million doses only covers 25 million people.

[Dr. Blackheart]

That's been a frustration. I like to release previews in the order we play teams, but the lack of a full schedule means it's just kind of random now.

It's pretty clear to me that the BE will be bubbling in January.

[brewcity77]

It's pretty clear to me that the BE will be bubbling in January.

Yup. And I'm guessing they will have two weeks between the end of the season and start of the tournament to get everyone into Indy and quarantined so the tourney goes off without a hitch.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Yup. And I'm guessing they will have two weeks between the end of the season and start of the tournament to get everyone into Indy and quarantined so the tourney goes off without a hitch.

Yes, Captain Obvious Moment from me. Sooo appreciate your write-ups and insights!

[Dawson Rental]

We don't deserve sports.

And sports don't deserve us.

[Its DJOver]

So how much interaction is there between the UCONN Men's and Women's programs?  I know that at least for MU, in social media videos posted of the team lifting weights and such you can occasionally see members of the women's team, or men's lacrosse etc. in the background.  Would/could they have have purposely separated all teams to avoid an all sports suspension?

[GooooMarquette]

Not specific to the Big East, but a lot of teams have already canceled early-season games: Duke, Arizona, Florida, Baylor and a few others.

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball-season-covid19-tests-cancellations-problems-rick-barnes-baylor-201553209.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJuwzfgH0IUTlst-vFcpQmZZe8QkA5XRxhXY3GurSh7uklEusGhm_RQUq53rtthNESB--1BKYd7JD0Dc45RyOhdmcVw1NWCTTVLpdnuJFnZIEJxl5wH3zFlaQWVpF3GBCdWDmVXTCLKEaB8Sa8uQjFWDlenN4JfB1A6H2QIbRoov

[Billy Hoyle]

Yeah a bubble would definitely work. But until its announced that it something they are going to legitamately aim for, this current plan is doomed to fail.

They work but conferences are hurting financially which is why none have set one up yet. The loss of tourney revenue from 2020 (NCAA and BET) is really hitting them hard. harder than member institutions. For the BE to bubble 20+ people, per school, for a month, and put on 200+ games (if they are looking at a full schedule) would be ridiculously expensive and conferences have recognized it.

You have to cut down travel. I wouldn’t go as far as the Patriot League has but doing 2 game weekends (e.g., MU hosts PC Friday and Sunday) instead of the normal home and homes is probably the best scheduling model.

The optimism I hold is for what Rothstein calls “the Golden Window.,” during breaks when other students are not around over break. Then we have the closest thing to a bubble.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I agree with you Billy.  The NBA had the money to make it work.  I doubt the conferences make enough with basketball to make it worth their while.  (BTW, a full schedule of BE games only equals 110.)

Think about it this way.  The BE makes $40 million a year through its television contract with Fox.  For teams to get adequate rest AND play a full time schedule, that would require a bubble of six weeks.  Probably more like 7 or 8 if you include a BET too.  Also, Fox is going to have to agree to this.  Do they want all those games shoved into a six to eight week timeframe when they have three months of programming to fill?

The other option is that the BE does what it might do now.  Hope for the best.  And if 1/3 of the games get cancelled, that is still a more profitable option than a bubble with a full schedule.

[muwarrior69]

Well, the players could get this if they really get sick, but it will more likely go to folks like me who are over 65.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/business/money-report/regeneron-will-provide-300000-doses-of-covid-treatment-for-u-s-by-early-january-ceo-schleifer-says/2741034/

[brewcity77]

Butler has placed all basketball activities on hold after a positive test from Wednesday following their opener with Western Michigan. Their Sunday game against Eastern Illinois has been postponed. No additional timetable yet.

[Mr. Nielsen]

If out for 14 days. NKY would be canceled. Leaves then one day to get ready for Kansas State.

[Viper]

I am joking

don't worry about it, you’re fine. No explanation needed. This Fluffy character? Self-righteous and angry. Probably aka Mike Lovell.

[wadesworld]

don't worry about it, you’re fine. No explanation needed. This Fluffy character? Self-righteous and angry. Probably aka Mike Lovell.

Don’t think I’ve ever heard Mike Lovell described as either of those things. But maybe it is him!

[CreightonWarrior]

And now Creighton released a statement they are shutting down and will not be playing in the Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls (Battle for Atlantis replacement). Not sure how many games they will be missing or when they will resume play.

They never did indicate how long they would be shutdown for but the shutdown appears to be over as they just announced they'll be playing NDSU on Sunday, FS1.

[GooooMarquette]

Not a new Covid case in the BE...but an example of Nova showing scheduling creativity when a near future opponent announces a Covid issue. A few other teams around the NCAA have done this, and I suspect it will be the 'new normal' for this season.

Villanova wins Empire Classic, extends stay in 'Bubbleville' by adding game vs. Virginia Tech on Saturday

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/villanova-wins-empire-classic-extends-stay-in-bubbleville-by-adding-game-vs-virginia-tech-on-saturday/

Temple was scheduled to play Virginia Tech on Saturday at Mohegan Sun, but that game could no longer happen. Plus: Villanova was scheduled to play at home vs. Temple on Dec. 3. The Wildcats and Hokies both needed to fill a game on the schedule. They could both be in Uncasville. The stars aligned.

So, according to a source, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Virginia Tech will play No. 3 Villanova at Mohegan Sun Arena. Due to the volume of football games on the slate, Villanova-Virginia Tech is scheduled to be played on ESPNews.

[Mr. Nielsen]

They never did indicate how long they would be shutdown for but the shutdown appears to be over as they just announced they'll be playing NDSU on Sunday, FS1.

The announcement of NDST came out days ago. Was update in the TV thread.

[NCMUFan]

This seems like great real time thinking.  If a pair of games get cancelled because one of each games team tests positive, it would leave the two unaffected team available to play each other.  Only issue may be travel to get to the site quickly enough.  Makes for interesting game preparation.

Not a new Covid case in the BE...but an example of Nova showing scheduling creativity when a near future opponent announces a Covid issue. A few other teams around the NCAA have done this, and I suspect it will be the 'new normal' for this season.

Villanova wins Empire Classic, extends stay in 'Bubbleville' by adding game vs. Virginia Tech on Saturday

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/villanova-wins-empire-classic-extends-stay-in-bubbleville-by-adding-game-vs-virginia-tech-on-saturday/

Temple was scheduled to play Virginia Tech on Saturday at Mohegan Sun, but that game could no longer happen. Plus: Villanova was scheduled to play at home vs. Temple on Dec. 3. The Wildcats and Hokies both needed to fill a game on the schedule. They could both be in Uncasville. The stars aligned.

So, according to a source, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Virginia Tech will play No. 3 Villanova at Mohegan Sun Arena. Due to the volume of football games on the slate, Villanova-Virginia Tech is scheduled to be played on ESPNews.

[Shooter McGavin]

FS1 is not showing the Xavier game due to health guidelines?   I apologize if this has been addressed but what is the reason behind that?

[Mr. Nielsen]

FS1 is not showing the Xavier game due to health guidelines?   I apologize if this has been addressed but what is the reason behind that?

Tv production crew.

[Shooter McGavin]

Crew tested positive?

[brewcity77]

Butler back on COVID protocol break. Game with SJU postponed. DePaul is still on break too.

Another Big East postponement, this time due to Butler continuing to follow protocols after its COVID-related pause. Monday's game against St. John's is pushed back to a later date TBD. Butler still plans to play Villanova next Wednesday (Dec. 16).

[BM1090]

It's obviously going to be tough to get close to all these games in. Hopefully they extend the season by a couple of weeks. The CDC officially did reduce their recommendation to 7 days of quarantine and a negative test, so hopefully the shutdowns are shorter moving forward assuming everyone is healthy.

[naginiF]

If out for 14 days. NKY would be canceled. Leaves then one day to get ready for Kansas State.

Apparently that's about 23 hours more than necessary to prep for K State

[Its DJOver]

X pausing.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2020/12/11/xavier-providence-postponed-due-covid-19/3893655001/

[GooooMarquette]

X pausing.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2020/12/11/xavier-providence-postponed-due-covid-19/3893655001/

So as of today, X, Butler, DePaul and UConn? Have I missed any?

This is getting silly. Get in a real bubble, or give it up (right after MU beats UCLA).

[rocket surgeon]

Tv production crew.

they have no one else?  come on man!