2020-21 Season

N.C. State at Michigan game officially postponed

Michigan’s Wednesday night game with N.C. State is officially postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

“Far too often have I had to say we are all living in unprecedented times,” Juwan Howard said in a statement. “Our main concern is the health and safety of Coach Keatts, his players as well as all of those within the N.C. State program. It is unfortunate we have to postpone this ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup. It would have been fun. However, we must do what is right, and this is the right thing to do for everyone.”

The Wolfpack had to cancel their game against UConn on Saturday and left Bubbleville in Mohegan Sun early after a positive COVID-19 test in their traveling party. Today, it was announced that their Big Ten-ACC Challenge game at Michigan had been postponed. According to the press release, both teams will work to find a make up date.

The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today (Monday, Dec. 7) that the men’s basketball ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup against North Carolina State scheduled for Wednesday (Dec. 9) at Crisler Center has been postponed due to COVID-19 related concerns within the Wolfpack program. The two programs will try and pursue future rescheduling opportunities at a later date.

The U-M postponement marks the second straight game paused for N.C. State, which was scheduled to face Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun’s “Bubbleville” this past Saturday (Dec. 5). That game was delayed due to positive tests within N.C. State’s program.

Michigan has continued to follow the Big Ten protocols and remains healthy with no current COVID-related issues.

The Wolverines (4-0) are scheduled to open Big Ten play on Sunday, (Dec. 13) against Penn State at Crisler Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.

Michigan has already played four non-conference games and has not participated in a multi-team event (MTE) which means that the Wolverines can only play one additional game — unless they were able to set up a new MTE on the fly. Teams are permitted to play 25 games without playing in an MTE or 27 games with one.

The Wolverines could look to schedule a new game this week, potentially against a regional team, but that would most likely eliminate any chance of a rematch with NC state. Michigan hosts Penn State on Sunday and travels to Nebraska on Christmas Day, but doesn’t play any games in the 12-day period between those two contests, leaving a window open for some creative scheduling options.

Rescheduling a game with N.C. State is going to be difficult because the Wolfpack have games scheduled on Dec. 12, 16, 19, 22 and 30. Michigan plays on Christmas, which eliminates the only notable gap in the December schedule.

Notable Replies

  1. BigBoutros

    Could we host some sort of MAC MTE? Play Toledo and Central?

  2. kturnup

    Why play 1 more MAC team when you can play 2 more!

  3. BigBoutros

    I’d take Loyola or a high-major. just thinking that if one game against a good opponent is the best form of preparation, second best is two games against bad ones if the good one isn’t available

  4. JBmoney

    I’m curious about the “postponed” language. I wonder if there is some contractual piece with the B1G/ACC and TV about getting these games in. Because it seems like LOU/Wisconsin are trying to play theirs soon too.

    Also wondering if there is some wisdom to keeping a game “in the bank” for later on. Since M’s schedule is full maybe having a game to plug in if things go seriously sideways and maybe there is 10 days or more between games during the league schedule. I know there schedule is quite backloaded and the flexibility is basically now but being able to plug in a game later on could be useful.

    All that being said, not sure I like having a week off before the B1G opener and against a high-major team. If they could sneak in a game or a Loyola this week that would seem to make the most sense but the “postponed” language seems to take that off the table.

  5. Mdemorest4

    Maybe if we win enough MAC games we can get their automatic bid to the tournament?

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