Iowa-Northwestern COVID postponement leaves fans fuming

Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa-Northwestern COVID-related postponement leaves fans fuming

By Alex Lang | Last updated Jan 18, 2023 3:10 PM ET

Nearly three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wednesday's Iowa-Northwestern basketball game has been postponed because of virus outbreak among Wildcats players. The news has left some fans fuming on social media.

Hope those players get well soon. With that said, not fair to Iowa having to cram in a game later in the year. Iowa had to play games without 3 of their starters earlier this year. @bigten making up rules as they go along.
— MattyMc1 (@triaxmax) January 17, 2023

Why should Iowa have to be potentially forced to play 4 games in 6 days at the end of the season to accommodate NW?
— Todd Versteegh (@TLVersteegh) January 17, 2023

Northwestern’s game at Iowa tonight has been postponed. Northwestern only has 6 available players due to COVID, source told @Stadium.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 17, 2023

The Big Ten policy states the conference will determine if the game can be rescheduled, declared a no-contest or ruled a forfeit. The decision on the outcome could have a big impact as both teams are on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.

A Milwaukee-Rhode Island game in December is believed to be the last Division I game canceled this season because of COVID.

At the start of the pandemic, many games were called off because of outbreaks. The virus even led to the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament.

Northwestern’s next game is Saturday against Wisconsin, but Badgers head coach Greg Gard has already cast doubt that the game will be played (h/t 247Sports).

Alex Lang

Alex Lang is a long-time editor and reporter who has worked in Detroit, Iowa, West Virginia, South Carolina and New York. He has covered NCAA tournaments, college football events and local sports. When he isn’t writing and editing, he can usually be found watching Detroit sports or University of Iowa athletics.

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