UConn games with Seton Hall, Villanova postponed

Another day, two more games wiped out due to COVID-19.

Wednesday’s women’s basketball game between No. 4 UConn and Seton Hall was postponed out of caution Tuesday after Providence, the Huskies’ most recent opponent, went on pause due to COVID-19.

The announcement came the same day Villanova halted team activities because of the coronavirus, prompting the postponement of Saturday’s game in Storrs.

No makeup dates were announced. UConn isn’t scheduled to play again until Jan. 19 when Butler visits. The Huskies could potentially schedule another nonconference opponent or rearrange its Big East schedule to play sooner.

The Huskies beat Providence 87-50 last Saturday, giving coach Geno Auriemma his 1,098th career win.

UConn’s now had four games in the last week either postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus. The Huskies matchup with No. 6 Baylor for Jan. 7 was canceled after Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey tested positive, and then the following day UConn postponed this Wednesday’s game at Xavier due to COVID-19 issues within the Musketeers’ program. Seton Hall was subsequently moved up on the schedule to take Xavier’s place.

Auriemma can move past Pat Summitt and into second on the all-time wins list with his next victory, though when asked about the significance of that mile

stone, Auriemma said he’s more concerned about reaching the 13-game threshold to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies are 7-0 (6-0 in Big East) on the season, but have played just once since Christmas.

Six of the Big East’s 11

programs are currently on pause due to COVID-19.

With issues increasing, the league’s coaches met virtually on Monday to discuss their options moving forward, and are slated to talk again on Thursday.

“It’s just been a really difficult challenge,” Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella said on the latest Hearst Connecticut Media podcast.

“Everyone’s going to say it’s too late, we can’t do a bubble, but a bubble, in 10 days you could play five games, even six. You’re not traveling, you’re all there, you’re getting good rest, you’re not on planes and buses.

“There’s some sense of normality because you go back to your hotel room and you can watch some other games.”

Note: Four future Huskies were among 25 players named to the Naismith High School Girls Midseason Team on Tuesday: Class of 2021 prospects Amari DeBerry, Caroline Ducharme and Azzi Fudd and Class of 2022 forward Isuneh Brady.