Duke basketball cancels remainder of nonconference games

Duke won’t play any more nonconference men’s basketball games in the regular season.

The school announced the move Thursday. That followed coronavirus-related postponements of three nonconference games this year, though only one had been rescheduled.

In a release, the school said it was a cautionary step because of the pandemic as well as allowing players to spend time with families over the Christmas holidays.

“This is the best decision we could make as a program, in making sure that we are doing the right thing for our players,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement.

Duke originally was scheduled to open Nov. 25 against Gardner-Webb, though that game was postponed due to a positive covid-19 test and contact tracing within the Runnin’ Bulldogs program. That game was rescheduled for Dec. 19.

Games against Elon for Dec. 6 and Charleston Southern on Saturday already had been postponed as those programs paused team activities, with no make-up date for either.

Duke (2-2) has lost home games to No. 4 Michigan State and No. 6 Illinois. The Blue Devils open ACC play at Notre Dame next Wednesday, followed by a Dec. 29 visit from Pitt.