COVID Becoming Problem for Oklahoma State, Texas Tech
Oklahoma State and Texas Tech became the latest Big 12 women’s programs to lose non-conference games due to COVID-19, and it’s unclear if it could impact league games.
The two programs canceled their remaining non-conference schedule. Oklahoma State was set to play Tulsa on Dec. 28, while Texas Tech was set to play Incarnate Word on Dec. 29.
The catch is that unlike other cancellations in the past several days, like Kansas State’s cancellation of its game with Illinois-Chicago, the COVID issues are within the Big 12 programs.
Texas Tech’s release noted the school was shutting down basketball activities as part of the cancellation of the Incarnate Word game. The release did not note if the pause would impact the Lady Raiders’ Big 12 opener against Oklahoma on Jan. 2.
Oklahoma State announced on Dec. 20 that it was cancelling its game with North Texas that day due to COVID issues within the Cowgirls’ program. OSU then announced on Monday it was doing the same with the Tulsa game. OSU did not classify this as a ‘pause’ on its web site.
Oklahoma State is set to host Texas on Jan. 2. What’s unclear is how long these two programs will be dealing with COVID.
TCU’s women’s program went on a pause due to COVID on Dec. 16 after positive COVID tests within its program. TCU canceled their its two games before the holiday break.
TCU cancelled its game with Davidson on Sunday, a game set for Dec. 29. The catch? The reason was COVID protocols within Davidson’s program, not TCU’s.
TCU hasn’t formally announced that its Big 12 opener with Kansas on Jan. 2 is on or off. But, as of Dec. 27, the Horned Frogs are 11 days out from the start of their COVID pause.
Big 12 return to play rules were amended last week to allow teams to play if they have six scholarship players and one countable coach available for a game. So, even if there are COVID issues within a program, if enough players are eligible to play, the game should be played. In addition, games will be ruled no-contests and every attempt will be made to reschedule.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
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