BYU Basketball’s WCC Opener Postponed Due To COVID-19
Dec 29, 2021, 2:31 PM | Updated: 2:43 pm
BYU basketball coach Mark Pope frowns as a UVU victory against BYU is imminent at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team sees their West Coast Conference opener postponed for the second year in a row due to an opponent dealing with COVID-19.
Portland Pilots are experiencing COVID issues within their program resulting in the postponement of Saturday, January 1’s game against BYU. The game will be rescheduled for a later date.
#BYU's WCC opener against Portland this Saturday has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the Pilots program.#BYUHoops @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 29, 2021
“Not [the] outcome we were obviously hoping for, but necessary,” Portland’s director of athletics Scott Leykam tweeted. “We will work with BYU on a rescheduling date as soon as possible.”
BYU’s first WCC game of the 2022 season is now scheduled for January 6 in Provo against the Pacific Tigers.
Four teams in the WCC are currently on pause due to COVID-19; Portland, Pepperdine, San Diego, and Santa Clara.
Due to positive COVID-19 cases within the Portland program, the Pilots have announced that they are postponing Saturday’s game, which was scheduled to be played in Portland.
The two schools and the WCC will work to reschedule the contest later this season, if possible. pic.twitter.com/mnjrIr90cC
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) December 29, 2021
Last year, BYU had its first three WCC games postponed before a game against Gonzaga in The Kennel was moved up.
BYU is currently 11-3 on the season and concludes non-conference play tonight against Division II Westminster at the Marriott Center.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
