Pac-12’s decision leaves KU looking to fill two dates on men’s basketball schedule
The University of Kansas is seeking to fill two dates on its 2020-21 men’s basketball schedule following the Pac-12’s decision to hold no sporting events until January.
The Jayhawks’ non-conference games against Pac-12 members USC on Dec. 19 in Allen Fieldhouse and at Colorado on Dec. 22 have been canceled.
Also, Pac-12 member UCLA is slated to be one of four teams in the Wooden Legacy tournament Nov. 26-27 in Anaheim, Calif. But California has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 coronavirus, making it unlikely that any indoor events with fans will be allowed there during Thanksgiving week.
“We are planning to replace them (USC and Colorado). No, we don’t have any games (at this time to announce),” KU athletic director Jeff Long said Wednesday during a media teleconference. “We have many options depending on what coach (Bill) Self wants to do to build a schedule — whether playing it at home, whether we get a creative tournament (set up). All things are on the table at this point.”
Long continued: “Coach Self and I and Sean Lester (assistant AD/basketball schedule maker) were discussing that at 4 o’clock today. We are trying to look creatively how we might handle those (vacancies on the schedule), one being an away game.”
Long noted that, “We already changed the Harvard game (previously scheduled for Dec. 29 at Allen Fieldhouse) when Harvard had to cancel. We added Stephen F. Austin. Part of the information is weighing how many fans will be allowed in Allen Fieldhouse. We are a long way from knowing what those numbers are because we are a long way from playing the first game.”
It appears the Jayhawks will not be traveling to Anaheim for the Wooden tournament, though the event has not yet officially been canceled.
“Let me answer with a non-answer,” Long said. “I think, sitting here today, it would be very difficult for that game to be played there in L.A., given the current COVID virus situation.”
Long said he had not heard talk of canceling the season-opening Late Night in the Phog event set for the last weekend in September or first weekend in October. At the conclusion of Wednesday’s teleconference, a KU official clarified that there will be a 2020 Late Night in some fashion, whether it takes place in-person or possibly virtually.
The situation is fluid. In fact, there’s been speculation that some conferences may ultimately decide to play no non-conference basketball games, electing to only play conference games after Jan. 1. If that happens in the Big 12, Late Night obviously could be pushed closer to the start of the season.
Self told The Star earlier this week it’s difficult to envision holding a Late Night in the Phog event with fans in the stands in just six or seven weeks.
KU does not have any games scheduled against Big Ten teams. That conference on Monday postponed football and all other fall sports until the spring. The league has not yet commented on winter sports, such as men’s and women’s basketball.
Big Ten member Michigan State has been scheduled to join KU, Duke and Kentucky at the Champions Classic on Nov. 10 in Chicago. If MSU is unable to participate, ESPN would have to call off the event or find a replacement for the Spartans.
KU is to play Kentucky, with Duke slated to meet Michigan State. Both games would take place at the United Center.
This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 7:50 PM with the headline "Pac-12’s decision leaves KU looking to fill two dates on men’s basketball schedule."
