Buckeyes nonconference finale canceled as virus concerns continue
COLUMBUS — Ohio State was all set to return to action.
Turns out the Buckeyes will have to wait a few more days.
After making their way through a team pause due to positive COVID cases, the Buckeyes returned to the practice floor Sunday night — with just five players, four of them eligible players — to prepare for the nonconference finale against New Orleans.
But now, they continue to work their way through protocols that are keeping them from getting back to games.
“Our guys are progressing through the COVID return to play protocols well, but we just don’t have the numbers or readiness to play a game yet,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said in a statement. “Player safety as it relates to COVID and as they return to play after a significant time off, will always be a top priority.”
The canceled game, which was scheduled for Tuesday night inside the Schottenstein Center, is the third straight game called off for the Buckeyes. They pulled out of the marquee matchup with Kentucky two weeks ago after detecting positive cases, and they had to cancel the home game against Tennessee Martin, as well.
But that appeared to be in the past for the Buckeyes, who haven’t played since beating Wisconsin on Dec. 11 to reach a four-game winning streak. Instead, they’re still dealing with health and safety concerns as COVID-19 continues to spike around the country.
Now a nonconference slate that was full of excitement was cut short, and the Buckeyes will begin to prepare for Big Ten play, which starts Jan. 2 at Nebraska.
Ohio State will lean on its leadership heading into a crucial stretch of the season — whenever they can get back to game action.
“It’s important,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said before the COVID pause. You really rely on your maturity of your captains. The leadership of your group determines, in a lot of ways, how you proceed after you’ve won a few. You’re constantly fighting human nature, the idea of maybe pulling back a little bit.”
But the Buckeyes will have to wait a few more days to build on the early-December momentum. The next scheduled game was canceled, furthering the layoff that appeared to be over — but was not.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
