Baylor's Mulkey blames `almighty dollar' for college basketball's COVID problems
Returning to the sideline for the first time in nearly a month, Baylor women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey was upset with her team's loss on Saturday, but even more with the circumstances surrounding it.
The Basketball Hall of Famer was coaching in her first game since contracting COVID-19 on Christmas Day — and her team's first game since the program went on pause Jan. 5 due to a team member testing positive
“The season will continue on. It's called the almighty dollar,” Mulkey said Saturday after the No. 6 Lady Bears lost 75-71 to Iowa State, ending their 61-game home-court winning streak, which was the longest in Division I women's basketball.
“The NCAA has to have the almighty dollar from the men's t ournament. The almighty dollar is more important than the health and welfare of me, the players or anybody else.”
B a y l o r h e a d c o a c h Ki m Mulkey reacts to a call in a Jan. 16 game against Iowa State.
Since their previous game on Jan. 2, the Lady Bears have had a nonconference showdown with No. 5 Connecticut canceled and a pair of Big 12 conference games postponed.
“I understand, COVID i s real. I've had it — come talk to me sometime. But I don't know ... all the calls and procedures, that's gonna go on and make it unusual, uncomfortable for every program,” Mulkey said. “We're no different at Baylor.”
Meanwhile, women's basketball teams at Duke, Virginia, SMU and San Jose State have chosen to end their seasons early due to the threat of the virus. The lack of a cohesive plan for all schools has been a sore spot for many coaches.
NEBRASKA: All Nebraska men's basketball team activities will remain on hold for at least another week after 12 people associated with the program, including head coach Fred Hoiberg and seven players, tested positive for the coronavirus.
Nebraska officials said Sunday that this week's games against Minnesota and Iowa have been postponed and the schools will try to reschedule them. Officials haven't decided whether additional games after Jan. 24 will be affected.
Sunday's games
TULSA 58, MEMPHIS 57: Rey Idowu made 1 of 2 free throws, followed with a jump shot, Tulsa took the lead with 4:48 left and went on to hold off the Tigers. DeAndre Williams' layup with two seconds left pulled the Tigers within a point but they ran out of time. Elijah Joiner posted 16 points to lead the Golden Hurricane. Brandon Rachal had 12 points for Tulsa (8-4, 5-2 American Athletic Conference), which earned its fourth consecutive home victory.
No. 11 HOUSTON 75, UCF 58:
Quentin Grimes scored 18 points, Justin Gorham added 15 points and nine rebounds and No. 11 Houston used a dominant first half to cruise to a 75-58 win over UCF on Sunday.
No. 5 IOWA 96, NORTHWESTERN 73:
Luka Garza had 17 points and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes, and No. 5 Iowa rolled to a 96-73 victory over Northwestern on Sunday. Joe Wieskamp had 16 points and CJ Fredrick added 13 as the Hawkeyes (12-2, 6-1 in the Big Ten) won their fifth straight. Iowa and Michigan are tied for the conference lead.
Late Saturday
No. 1 GONZAGA 73, SAINT
MARY'S 59: Corey Kispert had 17 points and five rebounds and No. 1 Gonzaga overcame a slow start with a surge to end the first half, pulling away late to beat rival Saint Mary's on Saturday night for its 18th straight victory spanning the past two seasons.
No. 4 TEXAS 82, KANSAS STATE 67: Given his chance, Kamaka Hepa delivered the big shots on the court Saturday night, scoring 15 points as the No. 4 Longhorns rebounded from their first Big 12 loss of the season by beating Kansas State.