Louisville-Wisconsin Men's Basketball Game Canceled

As per the latest reports, the men's college basketball game between the Louisville Cardinals and Wisconsin Badgers that was to be played on Wednesday has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has impacted the cardinals. 

Vince Tyra, the athletic director in his statement said that "Our men's basketball program is still paused indefinitely and we will look for an alternate opportunity to play Wisconsin if possible. We will continue to communicate regularly with Wisconsin, the ACC, and Big Ten."

Cardinals COVID-19-related pause on December 3

Since there was this Cardinals COVID-19 related pause on December 3, it was unclear whether the match-up would take place or not. The Cardinals COVID-19 related pause came up after there were positive tests coming up with contact tracing on the forefront of everything. And, after this episode, the Cardinals game that was to be played against UNC Greensboro at the KFC Yum Center on December 4 was canceled. Since then the team-related activities stopped, Louisville has not gone to any practice sessions because of the ACC and university protocols.

It’s unlikely that there will be a rescheduling of the game in the upcoming weekend. However, it might be that the two programs will be meeting later in the season. The ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchup Michigan was to host the North Carolina State game between two teams -- the game was also canceled. After that, it was the Wolfpack game that got impacted due to the coronavirus cases -- the N.C State had to cancel the game that was to be played against Connecticut. This decision was made after a team member who was traveling was tested positive for coronavirus. 

Here’s how the team interpreted the entire episode.

In a statement, Juwan Howard, Wolverines coach said, "The two programs will try and pursue future rescheduling opportunities at a later date. Far too often have I had to say we are all living in unprecedented times. Our main concern is the health and safety of Coach Keatts, his players as well as all of those within N.C. State program. It is unfortunate we have to postpone this ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup. It would have been fun. However, we must do what is right, and this is the right thing to do for everyone."

In another statement, N.C State said that there was a test conducted before the team traveled to Connecticut for the "Bubbleville" series at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and everyone was tested negative. There was also a PCR test conducted after the Wolfpack arrived at Mohegan Sun and it was all negative. In fact, the results were negative even before playing UMass Lowell on December 3. The results started turning positive only 24 hours before the contest against Connecticut.