Program on pause

Huskies put team activities on hold after positive COVID test

UConn women’s basketball has paused all team activities and not compete in its first four scheduled games of the season after a member of the program tested positive for COVID-19, the school announced Monday night.

Per university protocol, team activities will be on hold for at least 14 days and will resume when it is deemed safe by medical professionals.

Players have been tested three times per week, per NCAA recommendations.

The Huskies, ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll, were slated to play Quinnipiac and either No. 6 Mississippi State or Maine this Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at Mohegan Sun as part of the Hall of Fame Challenge. Fifth-ranked Louisville (Dec. 4) and Seton Hall (Dec. 6), in the Huskies’ Big East opener, were to follow. Those games, however, have been scratched from the schedule.

The school said any schedule adjustments will be announced at a later date. Adding nonconference games could be complex, though.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma had been cautiously optimistic about starting the season on time, saying earlier this month: “So far, we’ve done everything that we’ve been asked to do. I’m confident, obviously. We’re all confident. Are we sure? No, but we’re confident.

“We believe that come Nov. 28, we’re going to be playing Quinnipiac at Mohegan Sun.”

Assuming no changes, UConn’s first game may now be

Dec. 15 against Butler at Gampel Pavilion.

This comes less than a week after the school’s men’s basketball team returned to the court after a two-week shutdown of its own due to a positive test. During that time, players were allowed to train inside the Werth Champions Center, but could only enter the gym with one roommate.

UConn did not identify the person who tested positive.

Jessica Hill / AP UConn coach Geno Auriemma during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game, last year in Hartford.