The Patriot League postponed the Boston University men’s basketball weekend series against Colgate University after a Tier 1 member of the BU program showed COVID-19-like symptoms.
The decision comes as an “abundance of caution,” and there will be follow-up testing before a decision is made about future games, according to the Patriot League.
The Tier 1 group is defined as anyone — coaches, student-athletes, physical therapists, medical staff, etc. — who cannot effectively socially distance and wear face coverings throughout competition or training, according to the NCAA.
Just after BU had returned from their previous basketball hiatus, which was announced Jan. 27, the team is now facing the possibility of another week away from the court.
The last time BU took the court was against Lafayette Jan. 23 and 24, when the Terriers took both games by scores of 81-76 and 64-61 respectively. These wins came after a slow 1-5 season start for the Terriers, who were off pace compared to their championship-winning form in 2020.
“The fourth weekend against Lafayette was the first time we had everybody healthy and playing the roles that we had designed for them,” said BU men’s basketball head coach Joe Jones. “That was the first weekend we could really … get back to being who we are as a program.”
It is unknown when the team will be returning to the gym. At this time, no statement has been made about BU’s next set of games against Army West Point, which is still planned to take place in Christl Arena in West Point, New York.
“They have changed the schedule around every week right now,” Jones said, “so right now we’ll have to wait and see.”
Safety remains the team’s top priority as the season continues.
“They’re keeping their social distance, they’re washing their hands,” Jones said. “If something comes up, the guys know we will handle that within our program if those rules are broken.”
