Forfeit policies undergo changes

The Big 12 was one of a few conferences this week announcing changes to its COVID-19 forfeit policy for basketball.

Specifically, any Big 12 league game that is postponed under specific Covid-19-related protocols will now be listed as a “no contest” instead of a forfeit.

The Big 12 defined that type of postponement taking place “in the event a team has less than six scholarship players and one countable coach available for a game.” A school must send a form to the league office and conference opponent when aware of a potential roster limitation.

A Big 12 release stated that conference staff will “exercise best efforts” to schedule any postponed games while trying to ensure no team plays more than three games in a seven-day period over multiple weeks.

The Southeastern and Big East conferences have updated their policies for basketball game postponements, cancellations and rescheduling to provide more leniency for teams that are unable to play because of spiking COVID-19 cases.

The policies for both conferences establish that men’s and women’s teams will be required to play if seven scholarship athletes and one countable coaching staff member are available. The SEC gives teams the option to play with fewer players or coaches if they choose.

If a team can’t play, both leagues say the game will be rescheduled or declared a no contest. The policies announced Thursday are a revision of previous procedures, which called for a game to be forfeited and a loss given to any team unable to play.

The Mid-american Conference and Conference USA announced similar policies on Thursday.

“As we have done since the onset of the pandemic, we continue to evaluate our policies and procedures related to COVID-19 based on the most current information,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Circumstances have clearly changed since our interrupted game policy was implemented in August and this updated approach is intended to support healthy, fair and equitable competition.”