Big 12 Planning to Bring Back ‘No Contest’ Policy for Games Impacted by COVID-19: Report
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise around the country, the Big 12 is reportedly planning to restore its policy stating that games impacted by COVID-19 would become “no contests,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.
This would eliminate the need for teams to forfeit games, and if teams across the league fail to have six scholarship players and one coach, the game would be deemed a no contest, and both teams would work to reschedule. This rule would apply to both men’s and women’s basketball games.
Currently, more than 40 programs are paused due to COVID-19 and on Tuesday night, Kansas’ game at Colorado was cancelled due to an outbreak with the Buffaloes program.
Dellenger went on to report that other conferences, notably the SEC and Pac-12, are also considering changing their policy for the season due to the recent increase in cases. It’s also believed that the NCAA basketball committee could consider changing its minimum number of required games (25) to advance to the NCAA tournament.
Three other Big 12 games were taking place on Tuesday night with Iowa State facing Chicago State, TCU taking on Grambling State and Kansas State tipping off against McNeese State.
The Big 12 opens up conference play on New Year’s Day with a full slate of five games on the schedule.
