After facing Kentucky, Richmond pauses activities due to positive COVID-19 test

As the Kentucky Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks face off in the Champions Classic, both teams have had COVID-19 concerns in regards to teams they’ve faced.

Last week, Kansas beat St. Joe’s and lost to Gonzaga, and both teams have since had confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Now, the same is happening with Kentucky.

Following Sunday’s loss to Richmond, the Spiders have reportedly had a positive COVID-19 case, which has led to them canceling their Wednesday matchup with Charleston.

John O’Connor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch has the story.

The University of Richmond basketball program won’t soon be taking into competition the momentum generated by Sunday’s win at Kentucky and a subsequent No. 19 national ranking. The Spiders paused hoops activities Tuesday because of a positive COVID-19 test and attendant contact tracing.

The Spiders, like all Division I teams, test a minimum of three times a week on nonconsecutive days, per NCAA guidelines. There was recently a positive test among a UR program member. A false positive remains a possibility. The school is exploring.

Hopefully, this is either a false positive, or whoever tested positive did not come into contact with players and/or coaches who were in contact with Kentucky players/coaches during Sunday’s game. If that did happen, then contact tracing may force Kentucky to pause its season after just one week.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Kentucky is still scheduled to face Kansas in the Champions Classic at 9:30 pm EST on ESPN.