The Seattle University men’s and women’s basketball teams canceled games this week over concerns related to the novel coronavirus.
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Chicago State University has canceled its final two regular-season contests for both men’s and women’s basketball in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which includes contests against the Redhawks on Thursday, March 7. The Seattle U men were scheduled to host Chicago State Thursday night in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play, while the women’s team was to play at Chicago the same day.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, also a conference opponent for Seattle U, additionally announced that it’s men’s basketball team will not travel to Seattle for a Saturday, March 7 matchup against the Redhawks. The Seattle U women’s basketball team, however, will still travel to Kansas City this weekend to conclude WAC play.
The canceled games will not be rescheduled, and will be officially record as “no contest,” per NCAA guidelines.
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“We respect Chicago State and Kansas City’s decisions and understand their concerns,” Seattle U said in a statement. “We share a commitment to ensuring the health and safety of our communities, fans and all who attend university-sponsored events. Seattle University is actively monitoring and responding to this rapidly evolving situation and continuing to follow the guidance of public health agencies and make decisions based on the most up-to-date information available.”
As of 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, there have been 10 deaths in Washington State linked to the novel coronavirus. There are 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County.
Both the Redhawks men’s and women’s basketball team are scheduled to play in the WAC tournament next week at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
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Ben Arthur covers sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.