West Virginia's matchup with Buffalo canceled because of covid-19 protocols

A member of the Buffalo men’s basketball program tested positive for covid-19 on Sunday, leading officials to cancel a Dec. 29 game against West Virginia.

The decision was announced Monday. Buffalo did not reveal who tested positive, but officials said it was either an athlete or a member of the team’s coaching or support staff. Buffalo learned of the positive test Sunday. The Mid-American Conference school played Syracuse on Saturday.

Buffalo already was competing without coach Jim Whitesell, who had to enter a 14-day self-quarantine period Dec. 14 after coming into close contact with a person who tested positive for the virus.

West Virginia also had its Dec. 9 matchup with Robert Morris canceled because of covid-19 protocols.

The Mountaineers are 7-1, with their only loss coming against No. 1 Gonzaga, 87-82, on Dec. 2. They since have won four straight and are set to take on No. 3 Kansas on Tuesday.

After that, they will not play again until their Jan. 2 matchup with Oklahoma.

It is unclear how long the pause will last for the Bulls. Buffalo said it will follow NCAA, conference and local health protocols. Contact tracing is underway at Syracuse.

Syracuse (6-1) postponed its game Tuesday against Notre Dame and is scheduled to play at Wake Forest on Dec. 30. Buffalo (3-3) also was scheduled to play a nonconference game at St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, which was canceled.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.