Since the start of the season, Jeff Capel has wondered about the wisdom of playing college basketball games in the midst of a pandemic. Now, only seven games into the season, the coronavirus is leaving Pitt’s coach and his players no choice.
Late Thursday afternoon, Pitt (5-2, 1-1 ACC) postponed its game against Notre Dame that was scheduled for Saturday at Petersen Events Center. The postponement is the second this week for the Panthers after Tuesday’s game at Duke also was postponed. Pitt hasns’t played since losing to Louisville, 64-54, on Dec. 22.
Pitt officials said the most recent postponement is because of a positive test within the program and additional contact tracing tied to a positive test outside the program.
Capel contracted the virus two weeks ago and missed the Louisville game. He said he was nearly hospitalized, but he recovered and was planning to coach at Duke.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have determined it is in the program’s best interests to postpone Saturday’s game,” Capel said Thursday in a statement. “We are testing daily within the program and will thoroughly conduct contact tracing to identify anyone who is determined to be a close contact. The health and safety of everyone in the program remains our focus as we look to navigate this pandemic.”
Pitt had no covid-19 issues through the first month of the season. Players left campus last week for three days to be with their families over the Christmas holiday.
“There has to be some normalcy somewhere,” said Tim O’Toole, Pitt’s acting head coach in Capel’s absence.
Earlier this season, Capel and his mentor, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, had advocated for a delay to the start of the season while the virus was spreading.
“If you look at the numbers back in March when the season was canceled, the numbers are worse right now,” Capel said earlier this month.
“Something just doesn’t feel right about it. It seems like every day it’s getting worse. I don’t know why you cancel it in March, but you say it’s OK to do it right now. But what do I know? I’m no expert in anything.”
There was no word on when the two games will be rescheduled. The next game on Pitt’s schedule is Jan. 9 against Florida State at the Pete.
Instead of traveling to Pittsburgh, Notre Dame will play Saturday at North Carolina.
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