Syracuse basketball is facing another disruption to its season, pausing team activities for the third time in six weeks due to a possible exposure to the coronavirus.
The Orange played Buffalo on Saturday, beating the Bulls in overtime, 107-96. Buffalo discovered a positive coronavirus case within the team’s Tier 1 group — meaning a player, coach, team manager or support staffer. The Bulls played the game without coach Jim Whitesell, who was quarantined following a close contact.
Syracuse is undergoing contact tracing efforts, although the squad hasn’t returned any positive cases yet since playing Saturday’s game, according to Syracuse.com. Buffalo canceled upcoming games against St. Bonaventure and West Virginia and the Orange have postponed Tuesday’s matchup with Notre Dame.
“We are using an abundance of caution in this situation, as we have throughout the pandemic,” Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said in a release. “The health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff associated with the men’s basketball program is of the utmost importance to us.”
Syracuse has paused activities twice before. In mid-November, coach Jim Boeheim tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the first pause. A walk-on player later tested positive, forcing the Orange into another short pause.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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