Pac-12 revises policy for declaring forfeit

Following the ACC’s lead, the Pac-12 on Wednesday changed its basketball rescheduling policies to avoid assigning automatic forfeits for teams unable to play because of COVID-19 protocols.

The ACC decided that men’s and women’s basketball teams must have a minimum of seven scholarship players and one coach to play a game. If a team elects not to play despite having that available number, the game would then be considered a forfeit.

The Pac-12 is similar in terms of the minimum number of scholarship players and coaches who must be available to hold the competition. The conference will work to reschedule calledoff games, and those that are unable to be rescheduled could be considered a “no contest” upon review and approval by the league commissioner.

The Pac-12 policy is retroactive and now includes the previously canceled UCLA at Washington men’s basketball game on Dec. 5.

Should the situation arise where men’s and/or women’s teams can’t complete their Pac-12 schedules, the teams with the highest winning percentage in Pac-12 play will be declared the regular-season champions.

MEN’S GAMES #2 Duke 76, Virginia Tech 65:

Paolo Banchero had 23 points and the host Blue Devils (11-1, 1-0 ACC) shot 62% after halftime to beat the Hokies (8-5, 0-2).

Banchero scored 17 points in the second half to help Duke erase an eight-point deficit.

#19 Tennessee 77, #6 Arizona 73:

John Fulkerson had 24 points and 10 rebounds as the host Volunteers (9-2) knocked the Wildcats (11-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 28 points for Arizona.

#12 Auburn 71, Murray State

58: Wendell Green Jr. had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Jabari Smith added 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the host Tigers (11-1) over the Racers (10-2).

Auburn held Murray State to 28 points below its season average and outrebounded the Racers 48-33.

“Murray State is a really good offensive team, and we made it difficult for them to run their stuff,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said.

#13 Houston 80, Texas State 47:

Josh Carlton’s 20 points helped the host Cougars (11-2) beat the Bobcats (9-3).

#16 Texas 68, Alabama State 48:

Dylan Disu scored 14 points as the host Longhorns (9-2) topped the Hornets (1-10).

#17 LSU 95, Lipscomb 60:

Darius Days scored 21 points for the host Tigers (12-0) against the Bison (6-8).

#20 Kentucky 95, Western Kentucky 60:

Kellan Grady scored 23 points and Oscar Tshiebwe grabbed a Rupp Arena-record 28 rebounds to lead the host Wildcats (9-2) past the Hilltoppers (8-5).

#25 Texas Tech 78, Eastern Washington 46: Adonis Arms and Bryson Williams each had 12 points as the host Red Raiders (9-2) beat the Eagles (6-6).

Boise State 58, Washington State 52:

Abu Kigab scored 19 points as the visiting Broncos (9-4) beat the Cougars (8-5). Tyrell Roberts had 16 points for Washington State.

WOMEN #12 Texas 70, Princeton 53:

Joanne Allen-Taylor scored 18 points and Rori Harmon added 15 as the Longhorns (9-1) topped the host Tigers (7-4).

#20 Notre Dame 91, DePaul 86:

Maya Dodson scored 28 points and Maddy Westbeld added 22 to lead the Irish (11-2) past the Blue Demons (11-3) in Chicago.