NC State’s women’s basketball team hasn’t played in nearly two weeks because of COVID-19 related issues. Now, the Wolfpack men’s team has had its season interrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The university announced Thursday that State’s scheduled home game against Georgia Tech on Saturday has been postponed following a positive test, subsequent quarantining and contact tracing within the program. Next Wednedsday’s date at Virginia has also been postponed.
This is the second time this season that the Wolfpack has been forced to pause activities because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the ranks. Coach Kevin Keatts’ team had four games either postponed or canceled from Dec. 5-16 after several members of its traveling party tested positive while in college basketball’s so-called “Bubbleville” at the Mohegan Sun resort in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Although it has not been reported who or how many team members are affected, sophomore center Manny Bates was not in uniform for the Wolfpack’s game against Florida State in Tallahassee on Wednesday.
Shortly after the game, State’s “Protect the Pack” website posted notice that a COVID-19 cluster within its athletic department. A cluster is defined by five or more cases in close proximity.
News of the COVID cluster could at least partially explain the team’s lackluster performance in a 105-73 loss at the hands of the Seminoles.
