Frank Martin: Latest postponement due to SC State’s COVID-19 issues
When the South Carolina and S.C. State men’s basketball teams announced this week that their Wednesday afternoon matchup would be postponed due to “COVID-19 health and safety protocols,” there was no clarity as to which team was dealing with COVID-19 issues.
On Thursday, while watching the final day of Chick-fil-A Classic holiday basketball tournament at River Bluff High, head coach Frank Martin told The State that the postponement was due to positive tests on S.C. State’s side and that the teams are planning to make up the game at some point this season.
South Carolina had nine players available to play the game, Martin said. He did not indicate whether or not USC is still dealing with its own COVID issues.
In recent weeks, COVID-19 and the rise of the omicron variant has wreaked havoc on the spots world on all levels, leading to multiple postponements and cancellations in college basketball. After shutting down three times last season due to COVID-19, the South Carolina men’s team hadn’t yet lost a game to postponement this season but had dealt with COVID-19 issues in the previous two games.
Against Clemson on Dec. 18, the Gamecocks played without starters James Reese and Wildens Leveque and key reserves Devin Carter and Josh Gray. Both Carter and Gray returned for the subsequent game against Army on Dec. 22, but neither Reese nor Leveque were in the building. Martin said after the game he expected the Gamecocks (9-3) to be at full health by the time the Gamecocks opened SEC play Jan. 4 against Auburn.
Before the Clemson game, Martin spoke out on his thoughts about COVID-19 policies this season compared to last season.
“If they make me take a test, I’m not symptomatic and I’m positive ... (then) I’m out for 10 days. That’s what it was before vaccines. Why are we doing the same thing with vaccines? I don’t comprehend that. I don’t know how we (college basketball) are going to be able to play a season with policies that were in place pre-vaccination.”
Next USC men’s basketball game
Who: South Carolina vs. Auburn
When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4
Where: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia
Watch: SEC Network
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 11:08 AM.
