Ohio State hoops still on pause, next game already cancelled
COLUMBUS — There is still no clearance for Ohio State to return to any basketball activities.
And with no timeframe for when that might happen again for the Buckeyes, the program has already cancelled its next game.
Ohio State won’t play the nonconference matchup scheduled for Tuesday night against Tennessee Martin, the school confirmed in a statement on Sunday afternoon. The positive COVID tests that forced the Buckeyes to scrap a marquee showdown with Kentucky over the weekend continue to be an issue, and all team-related activities continue to be suspended while players and staff are tested according to Ohio State protocols with guidance from the Big Ten.
“We’ve had to have real conversations about what’s happening both in professional and college sports and the reality,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said on Thursday. “We have a fully vaccinated program, but there have been breakthrough cases. There have been breakthrough cases among our staff this past year.
“I think you’re really aware of it. And I think those kinds of conversations and that dialogue is very much a part of what we’re doing right now. I’ll leave it at that.”
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Michigan vs. MSU fight
Big Ten will not punish Wolverines or Spartans following the end-of-game fight on Saturday.
There is nothing else the Buckeyes can even do right now.
Ohio State has now had two games lost on the schedule outside of conference play, and neither will be rescheduled with the rest of the slate already packed once the Big Ten ramps up after the holidays.
“The safety and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches, staff and Ohio State community continue to remain the highest priority,” the Buckeyes statement said. “All team related activities will remain suspended, and the players and staff will continue to be tested according to Ohio State protocols in consultation with the Big Ten Conference.”
A promising basketball season is still on pause for the Buckeyes, and the next chance to play again remains unclear.
