The college basketball season is only a few days old, but Gonzaga vs. Baylor was expected to be one of the best matchups we’ll see this season.
And, of course, it was. It’s the NCAA’s No. 1 overall seeded team in Gonzaga going head to head with No. 2 against Baylor. We don’t always get this kind of matchup — especially not this early into the season. And they were set to play on a neutral court at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This was going to be epic.
Now, it’s canceled. Both teams mutually agreed to cancel the game due to issues related to COVID-19.
The teams released a joint statement after the news broke saying that two people, and one student-athlete, from Gonzaga’s traveling party tested positive for COVID-19.
Joint statement from Gonzaga and Baylor basketball programs. pic.twitter.com/m3DHN0ZrRB
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) December 5, 2020
“We’re disappointed to not be able to play on of the most-anticipated games of the season, but we are following the advice of public health officials. When we decided to play during a pandemic, our priorities were protecting the health and safety of student-athletes and following public health guidelines, and we’re proud of how both programs have held true to those promises. There are much greater issues in this world than not being able to play a basketball game, so we’re going to continue praying fore everyone who has been affected by this pandemic.”
It stinks that they had to cancel the game, but they’re absolutely right to do it. Safety comes first.
But, of course, college basketball fans are beyond disappointed by the news.
I am standing at this exact spot and just checked my email to see where to pick up my credential, only to instead see a new email telling me Gonzaga vs. Baylor isn't happening.
Pain. pic.twitter.com/yhVPwyEped
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) December 5, 2020
Damn, they cancelled the Baylor/Gonzaga game. I was looking forward to that 😩
— Syd Vicious. (@Sm2Three) December 5, 2020
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— CBB Talk (@CBBSuperFan) December 5, 2020
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) December 5, 2020
Damn..I was heading to the man cave to get ready for this early season showdown featuring great O vs. great D… pic.twitter.com/OE6l3bQ3US
— 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Bill Zotti🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@bill_zotti) December 5, 2020
— KJ (@thegentleman4) December 5, 2020
Damn, I wanted to watch that one. But there doing the right thing
— Dimicho Albert (@DimichoA) December 5, 2020
— CollegeFlagFBChamp (@flag_im) December 5, 2020
— Tanner Whitten (@TWhitten316) December 5, 2020
Well that sucks.
— John Gill (@johngillmedia) December 5, 2020
Wow Gonzaga and Baylor game cancelled smh
— 🇵🇷🥱 (@APMart34) December 5, 2020
Gonzaga v. Baylor game being postponed really just ruined my day 🥺.
— Just A Girl 💕 (@AleyahMonet__) December 5, 2020
It does suck to see this one canceled. But they’re doing the right thing. Hopefully, everyone gets healthy soon and remains that way.
