See how this week in sports would have unfolded in a world without the coronavirus
Monday marks the beginning of the second full week of life without sports in the United States and much of the world because of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under normal circumstances folks who were isolated at home because of illness, introversion or any number of other reasons could at least count on sports to provide a temporary escape from cabin fever. Clearly, these are not normal times.
Though the cancellations that have rocked the majority of the sports world are beginning to catch up to the horse racing industry, as of now fans can still look forward to a major Kentucky Derby prep race, the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, on Saturday. Organizers have cut the purse from $1 million to $750,000 because of casino closings and a lack of on-track handle because of a spectator ban at Gulfstream.
If you’re a sports fan who also happens to be a glutton for punishment, here’s a reminder of what we’re missing out on this week:
Monday
The women’s college basketball NCAA Tournament would have been winnowed down to the Sweet 16 on Monday with the completion of the second round. Eight NBA games were also on tap, highlighted by a matchup between playoff contenders Oklahoma City and Miami.
Tuesday
The University of Kentucky baseball team was scheduled to host Morehead State at Kentucky Proud Park on Tuesday night. The Eagles would have been looking for revenge after last season’s 7-0 loss to the Wildcats in Lexington.
Also, the NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament would have resumed with four Elite Eight matchups. Six more NBA games were scheduled, including a marquee matchup between the first-place Los Angeles Lakers and defending champion Raptors in Toronto.
Wednesday
The University of Kentucky softball team was scheduled to face Western Kentucky in Bowling Green on Wednesday. The teams split the previous two games in the series, with the Hilltoppers winning 4-1 at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington last season.
A pair of Final Four matchups in the NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament would have set the stage for Friday’s championship game.
Also, the men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships would have kicked off in Indianapolis and the PGA Tour’s WGC-Dell Match Play Championships would have teed off in Austin, Texas, running through Sunday. A stacked slate of nine NBA games was planned for Wednesday as well.
Thursday
For a large segment of sports fans, this one hurts the most. Major League Baseball’s opening day should have been celebrated on Thursday. Fans in the Midwest would have been treated to a classic matchup between the Reds and Cardinals at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
The NCAA Division II men’s basketball Elite Eight would have played out in Evansville, Ind., while the Division I tournament would have dropped the curtain on the Sweet 16 with four games. LeBron James would have returned to Cleveland when the Lakers and Cavaliers were part of a six-game NBA schedule.
Friday
The University of Kentucky football team’s seniors were robbed, along with seniors in programs throughout the country, of a major chance to make an impression on NFL scouts. UK’s annual Pro Day was scheduled for 9 a.m. in Lexington.
Four more Sweet 16 games in the men’s Division I NCAA Tournament would have narrowed the field to the Elite Eight. A Division II women’s basketball champion would have been crowned in the tournament’s title game.
The UK softball team would have opened a three-game series with SEC-rival Tennessee in Lexington, while the baseball Wildcats were to begin a three-game series at Mississippi State.
Eight NBA games were also scheduled. The women’s basketball NCAA Division I tournament’s Sweet 16 would have gotten underway, as well.
Saturday
Both Final Four matchups in the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament would have played out, setting the stage for the championship game on April 5. More Sweet 16 matchups in the women’s basketball Division I tournament would have further narrowed the field. Two Elite Eight matchups in the men’s Division I NCAA Tournament would have taken place, along with eight more NBA games.
While horse racing fans still have the Florida Derby to look forward to on Saturday, the Dubai World Cup was canceled. Another major Kentucky Derby prep race, the UAE Derby, was part of the canceled Dubai World Cup card.
Also a casualty of the coronavirus cancellations was the Run the Bluegrass Half-Marathon, which was set to take place at Keeneland. Organizers are working with Keeneland to reschedule the event and will post updates on the group’s Facebook page.
The final day of the Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships was scheduled for Saturday, as were eight more NBA games.
Sunday
Two more Elite Eight contests in the men’s Division I NCAA Tournament would have given college hoops fans their Final Four matchups. The PGA Tour’s WGC-Dell Match Play Championship would have been completed, as would UK baseball and softball’s three-game series.
A pair of Elite Eight matchups in the women’s Division I NCAA basketball tournament were set for Sunday, along with seven NBA games. NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 was also scheduled at Texas Motor Speedway, but all racing has currently been postponed until at least May 3.
