It was about 6:15 p.m. Monday when Morehead State Coach Preston Spradlin's phone buzzed to alert him of a prearranged interview. He was supposed to be done with team activities since that day's practice was scheduled for 2:15 that afternoon.
But Spradlin was driving to practice, which was rescheduled for 7 p.m. in order to get the results of the latest coronavirus testing.
This was just one of several examples of the adjust-on-the-fly world of COVID-19. Kentucky's season-opening Bluegrass Showcase has not been immune to uncertainty and need for flexibility brought on by the pandemic.
Monday also saw Friday's highly anticipated father-son duel between UK Coach John Calipari and his son, Detroit Mercy guard Brad Calipari, canceled. Detroit Mercy announced that there had been a positive COVID-19 test in its men's basketball program.
"Even though this is the right decision, as a father I'm still disappointed," the UK coach tweeted. "Was really looking forward to having @bradcalipari back this week. BUT we will reschedule the game & he'll have an opportunity to play in @Rupp_Arena. At this point, I just hope their team remains healthy."
The positive test came about from a member of its support staff and that individual is not experiencing any symptoms and is now in quarantine, Detroit Mercy said in a news release. No other players or coaches have tested positive although a few members of the team are in isolation due to close contact tracing.
Kentucky was scheduled to play Detroit Mercy on Friday in the second of its three games in the Bluegrass Showcase. In addition to Kentucky's games against Morehead State on Wednesday and Richmond on Sunday, the revised schedule for the Bluegrass Showcase will have Richmond play Morehead State on Friday.
On a Zoom teleconference earlier Monday, John Calipari again expressed confidence in his Kentucky players being relatively safe in a campus life consisting of the dorm and the gym.
"The problem is when we start playing ... ," Calipari said. "We may travel on game day ... . I've never done that before."
Caliipari spoke of flying to games on a sanitized plane, then riding to a hotel on a sanitized bus, then back on the same bus and plane — both having been re-sanitized — for the trip home.
"I may be overdoing it," the UK coach said. "But I'd rather be safe than sorry."
This plan followed announcements from Ole Miss and Tennessee about adjusting schedules. The Rebels (Coach Kermit Davis has tested positive) canceled their first four games and now hope to begin the season on Dec. 12. Tennessee canceled its first two games. Both programs paused team activities.
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