NC State’s basketball game against William & Mary canceled due to coronavirus
The ACC basketball season is not yet a week old and some games have already been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
N.C. State’s Monday home game against William & Mary is the latest to be called off, due to coronavirus issues within the Tribe’s program, the school announced late Sunday night.
N.C. State is looking at “options to replace the game.”
There is an online portal teams can check for available opponents to fill openings on the schedule.
Duke’s Nov. 25 season-opener against Gardner-Webb was postponed due to coronavirus issues in the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ program.
The Wolfpack’s next game is scheduled for Saturday on the road versus Connecticut at noon.
Wolfpack women had to shuffle
If N.C. State men’s coach Kevin Keatts needs advice on how to find an opponent at a moment’s notice, he can call on Wes Moore, the women’s basketball coach.
Moore and the No. 8 Wolfpack were in a similar situation this past weekend.
N.C. State was scheduled to play Radford Sunday. Friday morning during practice, Moore found out that game was canceled because someone within the Highlanders’ program tested positive for COVID-19. Moore and the athletic department spent the next 24 hours trying to secure an opponent, not ideal, but the reality of playing games during a pandemic.
“Our administration, you have to tip your hat to them,” Moore said. “And our sports medicine department. A lot of people worked overtime to make this thing happen.”
After N.C. State found out about Radford, it starting calling schools to see who was available. Moore said there was a school in New Jersey ready to jump on a bus and make the trip to Raleigh to play on Sunday.
“The didn’t quite meet the protocol for the testing we require,” Moore said. “Then Central got back to us pretty much Friday evening. We appreciate them making it happen. It’s the way it’s going to be. You have to try to get the games when you can and keep moving in that direction.”
Moore said the last thing a team wants to do is not fill all the slots for games on its schedule.
“The NCAA is saying you have to play 13 games to qualify for the NCAA tournament,” Moore said. “Hopefully we go through our (remaining) schedule without any hiccups. You don’t want to leave games out there.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published November 30, 2020 at 12:23 AM with the headline "NC State’s basketball game against William & Mary canceled due to coronavirus."