NCAAW: UConn pauses team activities


Cincinnati v Connecticut
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. | Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images

The UConn Huskies’ women’s basketball team will miss at least its first four games of the season during 14-day suspension of team activities.

An unnamed member of the UConn Huskies women’s basketball program has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team announced Monday that it will not be participating in its first four scheduled games.

It is protocol at the University of Connecticut to cease team activities for at least 14 days after a positive test. The Huskies will not be able to practice again until cleared by medical professionals.

Season cancellations and other COVID-related news

The Florida A&M Rattlers announced Monday that they have canceled their basketball season, joining the eight Ivy League schools as well as the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, Cal State Northridge Matadors and Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks.

The Rattlers were going to lack depth and the recent increase in COVID-19 cases caused them call off the season.

The scheduled start date for the NCAAW season remains Nov. 25, but many programs have canceled their openers.

In other news, the New Mexico Lobos made a decision last Friday to move to Amarillo, Texas for the season because they cannot play in the state of New Mexico due to COVID-19 regulations. Meanwhile, the New Mexico State Aggies are expected to move to Tucson, Arizona.

On Nov. 14, legendary men’s coach Rick Pitino (now with the Iona Gaels) called for a delay to the season on Twitter.

There are a number of issues surrounding quarantining regulations that differ from state-to-state, making it very difficult when it comes to scheduling for all college sports.

In addition to scheduling issues, a basketball coach revealed that his non-DI league in Michigan may have to wear masks during games.

The Hawks announced the cancellation of their men’s and women’s basketball seasons last Thursday. The Ivy League and Cal State Northridge announced their cancellations on Nov. 12 and Bethune-Cookman canceled sports for the entire school year on Oct. 26.