Fresno State paused its men’s basketball program because of COVID-19. Four games through Dec. 12 have been postponed.
“Though we have followed all proper COVID-19 protocols, unfortunately, we have confirmed multiple positive cases of COVID-19 within our men’s basketball program. Per our established protocols, the men’s basketball program will pause all athletic activity for a minimum of two weeks, as recommended by the CDC and the Fresno County Department of Public Health,” athletic director Terry Tumey said in an email message.
This is in addition to last Friday’s game at Pacific that was postponed because of delays in testing results from Pacific.
Fresno State won its first game of the year on Nov. 25, a 84-47 thrashing of NAIA school William Jessup. The game was played at the Save Mart Center without any fans allowed to attend.
“I am disappointed for our student-athletes, staff and fans that our program cannot practice of compete for a couple of weeks,” head coach Justin Hutson said on Twitter.
Fresno State did not announce new dates for its postponed games at Pacific, tonight vs. UC Riverside, Dec. 5 at Pepperdine, Dec. 8 vs. Cal State Northridge and Dec. 12 vs. Cal Poly.
The next scheduled men’s basketball game is now Dec. 19 vs. Fresno Pacific at the Save Mart Center.
Football Resumes, Women’s Hoops Continue
The shutdown of the men’s basketball team follows two games lost by the football squad.
Two home games, Nov. 21 vs. rival San Jose State and Nov. 27 vs. San Diego State, were cancelled because of contract tracing problems.
Saturday’s game at Nevada is still on the schedule.
The women’s basketball team played its first two games of the year, last Friday and Saturday versus West Virginia and Lamar. The games were played in Las Vegas as part of the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout.
The 1-1 Bulldogs return for its first home contest of the year on Thursday, 6 p.m. versus Colorado State. The same two teams will meet again on Friday evening.
As part of the Mountain West Conference’s schedule, conference opponents will meet twice during the same trip, either back-to-back days or with an off-day in the middle. Normal scheduling would have one game at home, and another on the road at different points in the season.
Other winter sports such as men’s wrestling has not announced its schedule for the season.
